Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I'm wondering what the best science books on "paleo" are. I liked Paleo Solution but wished it went into much more detail about the science of why grain is bad, soy is bad, and why meat is good.

flag	asked Sep 8 2011 at 21:29 Noah 1,143●4●15

Just curious, what does "science heavy" mean to you? – Patrik♦ Sep 9 2011 at 3:11

Leigh · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-08 21:42:00Z UTC

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I thought Primal Body, Primal Mind by Nora Gedgaudas gave awesome explanations on all of that... I wouldn't really consider it "science heavy," but the scientific information in it is still really valuable.

answered Sep 8 2011 at 21:42

Leigh
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I read Primal Body, Primal Mind, thoroughly, and enjoyed it, but Gedgaudas makes quite a few claims that are backed more by her personal experience than hard science. I've heard good things about Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food, and it is purportedly well researched, but haven't read it so can't say from personal experience. – FED at LiveCaveman.com Sep 8 2011 at 21:52

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Deep Nutrition is a step up from Primal Body, Primal Mind, but I doubt Mat Lalonde would be happy with either ;) – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Sep 8 2011 at 23:25

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For the record, Gedgaudas doesn't advocate high meat, either. It's the fat that should be high. Low carb, moderate protein, high fat. – staceychev Sep 9 2011 at 10:31

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BTW, the new version of PBPM is better-referenced. – Cave Tomboy Sep 9 2011 at 12:29

Bread-Eating Beelzebub · Answer 2 · 2011-09-08 22:28:48Z UTC

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Food and Western Disease: Health and nutrition from an evolutionary perspective by Staffan Lindeberg is the most scientific book out there. However, it's a science book, not a diet book and it costs $85.

answered Sep 8 2011 at 22:28

Bread-Eating Beelzebub
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Lisa · Answer 3 · 2011-09-09 01:01:14Z UTC

Last year I read Life Without Bread by Wolfgang Lutz, M.D. He died Sept 2010 at age 98. His personal research went back 40 years. It was life changing for me as I was dancing back and forth on the idea and his book clinched it for me.

staceychev · Answer 4 · 2011-09-09 10:36:15Z UTC

From what I've read, I'd say Gary Taubes Good Calories, Bad Calories, because it's a review of research over the past 100 years and references a lot. I think you're going to have to take most books that are current as a starting point, though, and trace out the references from there.

(I also read Paleo Solution and Deep Nutrition earlier this summer and am slogging through Primal Body, Primal Mind. I'd agree that Primal Body, Primal Mind is more "science-y" than Paleo Solution but how much science you're looking for is really a matter of personal preference. Melissa from Hunt Gather Love is an actual scientist, while I'm an English teacher. What seems "science-y" to me probably doesn't to her! And, for what it's worth, Deep Nutrition left a lot of unanswered questions for me. Some of the science was really strong, but other parts I was left with questions about.)

André · Answer 5 · 2011-09-09 17:26:55Z UTC

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The Perfect Health Diet by Paul and Shou-Ching Jaminet.

answered Sep 9 2011 at 17:26

André
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JessInSD · Answer 6 · 2011-09-09 15:10:25Z UTC

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I think Wheat Belly by William Davis gives a good, scientific explanation of why wheat is so bad.

answered Sep 9 2011 at 15:10

JessInSD
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I'm looking forward to reading that one. – Noah Sep 10 2011 at 2:31

Jackson · Answer 7 · 2011-09-08 22:13:32Z UTC

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The Paleo Solution seemed pretty science heavy to me. I enjoyed it.

I also heard that The Perfect Health Diet is very sciency.

answered Sep 8 2011 at 22:13

Jackson
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I agree, I loan my copy of the Paleo Solution to people who want to understand why grains and legumes are bad! And yes The Perfect Health Diet is extremely "sciency!" – Sue R. Sep 8 2011 at 22:18

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Although a good book, it's generally not "science heavy" in my terms. – Noah Sep 9 2011 at 0:26

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I'm not bashing Robb Wolf's book, I've actually purchased numerous copies of it for people. – Noah Sep 10 2011 at 2:31

tonysolo · Answer 8 · 2011-09-09 02:38:12Z UTC

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WAPF doesn't care much for soy. Plenty of science-y articles over at their site: http://www.westonaprice.org/soy-alert

answered Sep 9 2011 at 2:38

tonysolo
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WAPF has a lot of good stuff going on, but I specifically need a book I can lend out (along with my various other books) – Noah Sep 10 2011 at 2:32

What is the most “science heavy” book on grain, soy, free high meat diet

8 Answers