Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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This idea caught my interest when I was thinking about how the USDA food pyramid makes grains the foundation of a healthy diet. I searched through Google Images and looked at some images of paleo food pyramids.

I was disappointed to say the least...some did not make sense. Some put berries into the same category as nuts, as if berries weren't fruit. One had water as the foundation, but water isn't food (I don't think something that has zero calories can be considered food).

Mark Sisson's Primal Pyramid was my favorite.

flag	asked Jun 17 2010 at 9:15 Stancel 3,149●3●11●23

This is an amazing question. Can't wait to see the answers! – Phillip B Oldham Jun 17 2010 at 11:39

gilliebean · Answer 1 · 2011-07-07 02:19:24Z UTC

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Here's my submission:

alt text

edited Jul 7 2011 at 2:19

answered Jun 17 2010 at 16:09

gilliebean♦
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Wow, I like this. Thank you, gilliebean. – Jennie Jun 17 2010 at 16:13

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I like this a lot -- it's very similar to Mark Sisson's however representing the calories vs. quantity, an important distinction. Mark's is good to show to newbies who think we eat meat exclusively (not that there's anything wrong with that.) – sftree Jun 17 2010 at 18:31

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gilliebean, can i post this to my blog? i wont take credit, no worries. thanks. fundamentalliving.blogspot.com – ben61820 Jun 18 2010 at 1:21

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Gilliebean, awesome blog. Love the gizmoto meat pic:) ill put you on my lil blogroll. i like the straightforwardness of your pyramid. – ben61820 Jun 18 2010 at 12:15

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i think seafood would be a good addition. – free3337 Jun 19 2010 at 0:43

show 10 more comments

Dana M · Answer 2 · 2010-06-17 16:25:41Z UTC

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Here's the pyramid I made to explain what I eat to people...so much easier to show them a picture than to go through all the details of what's allowed and what's not!! It's mostly based on the recommendations in Primal Body Primal Mind by Nora Gedgaudas, and the proportions reflect what I usually eat. I had a lot of fun making it, and I think you can tell :D

Primal Pyramid

answered Jun 17 2010 at 16:25

Dana M
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I love this, but I realised that most of the core bottom row items are in a container of some sort, making them appear processed, which seems a little anti-paleo. – CT Jun 17 2010 at 16:54

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LOL I'd rather they stick the coconut oil into a tub than have it spill everywhere. – emthedrummer Apr 22 2011 at 14:23

May I use this for a blog post if I credit you, Dana M? – ikaika Aug 4 2011 at 15:49

Earl Cannonbear · Answer 3 · 2010-06-17 15:06:53Z UTC

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Paleo/Primal friendly food pyramids. Mark's is the second one

I would emphasize zero grains.

Faulty Food Pyramid

Primal Food Pyramid

answered Jun 17 2010 at 15:06

Earl Cannonbear
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Do I see PEANUTS at the top of the corrected pyramid...?! – April S.♦ Jan 16 2012 at 2:33

Mr. Trashcan · Answer 4 · 2010-06-19 13:02:30Z UTC

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I don't agree with Mark Sisson's pyramid or the Primal Food Pyramid. There are just two categories as far as I'm concerned. The base of the triangle is meat, fish, poultry and animal/saturated fats. The upper, smaller section is vegetables, fruits and nuts. And I wouldn't specify grass-fed. You may think that's preferable, but many folks don't have access to it or can't afford it, and all that does is alienate them.

answered Jun 19 2010 at 13:02

Mr. Trashcan
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	Paleo doesn't only eliminate grains, legumes and sugars. It also emphasizes good food sources. Therefore, Grass-fed is optimal; but it is not the only option. I think it's important to mention it because most paleo folks believe that it is optimal. – gilliebean♦ Jun 20 2010 at 16:47
	I agree completely. If you aren't eating grass fed beef, you ideally ought to supplement with fish oil. Gilliebean, your pyramid is super awesome. Any chance of getting an .ai of it? :] – RicoPags Mar 17 2011 at 4:47
	Hi Rico! Do you still want a HiRes of the pyramid? Go to my blog and contact me there. I can get you one. :) – gilliebean♦ Jun 12 2011 at 18:16

Nance · Answer 5 · 2012-01-16 01:47:42Z UTC

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I like this one a lot.

alt text

answered Jan 16 2012 at 1:47

Nance
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I like this one... I need the meat/ eggs / fish on the bottom to match how I eat... – Eric Jan 16 2012 at 3:55

ben61820 · Answer 6 · 2010-06-18 01:23:32Z UTC

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these are all awesome. seriously good work guys (well, i knew the grok one but awesome seeing all the others.

answered Jun 18 2010 at 1:23

ben61820
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Benjamin · Answer 7 · 2012-04-14 05:11:49Z UTC

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I think vegetables should be compltetly trashed, its been proven agriculture was started in eygpt about 10,000 years ago, before that (and for many people even after so) it was primairly, MEAT,eggs fish & fruit. I really don't beleive excessive reliance on agriculture is healthy for humans, the earth or plants. admittedly, some plants are useful to humans.

answered Apr 14 2012 at 5:11

Benjamin
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So we should completely trash something that is admittedly useful? Helpful. – JeJ Apr 14 2012 at 19:23

So what the heck was the gather part of hunter gatherer for? Collecting a few eggs and some fruit? – Jamie Jun 13 at 10:58

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Benjamin is just a hunter and does not like to gather. Don't be mean to him. – Chris Jul 29 at 22:13

What would a paleo food pyramid look like?

7 Answers