Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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Sometimes I do want to splurge and get a deli sandwich for lunch (I still do think the sandwich is one of the best inventions ever).

The question is, which kind is the lesser of all evils - wheat, multi-grain, rye, pumpernickel, a wrap?

Some of you may scoff at this question, but I am serious. I went paleo only a few months ago, and not for any particular reason. I'm 27, male, I've been thin my whole life, and I don't have any illnesses. I just want to eat healthier, look good, and live longer, without eating crap that makes me feel bad.

Mark's Daily Apple talks about an 80/20 rule, so I eat a sandwich once a week or so. Is that so bad? Does anyone else live mostly paleo and sometimes eat a sandwich?

flag	asked Nov 11 2011 at 5:33 Loren 101●1●4

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I do more of a 95/5 ... mostly paleo/PHD and one meal a week I eat what I like. It's a don't let perfect be the enemy of the good kind of thing. If eating a sandwich once a week works for you, I say go for it! You can always revisit this as your experience with paleo deepens. – Beth-WeightMaven Nov 11 2011 at 12:05

Sourdough for sure but real sourdough will be hard to find at most sandwich shops. I'd go for rye. – Shari Bambino Nov 13 2011 at 5:18

I used to be the totally like you, but after a while the desire even for that one token sandwich went away for good. – BaconBoy Nov 13 2011 at 13:27

Nance · Answer 1 · 2011-11-11 05:39:09Z UTC

Artisan quality sourdough might be a reasonable choice. I've read that the cheap, mechanized process ruins the benefits but true sourdough is a slower process involving fermentation and it's better for you than some.

BUT, if you are sensitive to wheat bread is a really risky splurge because recovery time may be longer than the intervals between splurges.

Travis Culp · Answer 2 · 2011-11-11 05:43:15Z UTC

They make gluten-free bread now that doesn't taste too bad. It's usually made out of some kind of combination of potato/rice/corn starch. If you're going to eat bread, it's probably the least toxic choice. Local health food store should have a couple types.

Glither · Answer 3 · 2011-11-11 11:29:41Z UTC

Sourdough bread for sure. The longer it is left to rise, the more the gluten and anti-nutrients (the reason you don't want to eat it in the first place) break down. Ask the baker how long it rises.

Rye and other grains are better choices than wheat.

Should be from a baker, and not supermarket bread, which is likely to have all sorts of unnecessary crap in it.

Sourdough also tastes way better, imho.

My very sensitive friend could feel the difference. One slice of regular bread makes her feel like crap. She was able to eat 2 slices of good quality sourdough rye and barely feel it the consequences.

Happy Now · Answer 4 · 2011-11-11 11:24:55Z UTC

I don't know what will have the least impact long term, but as for short term misery, or lack thereof, real sourdough has had the fewest gastrointestinal side effects for me.

Also the less fiber the better as far as my body is concerned, cheap hotdog bun or bagette, no problemo; whole wheat and I'll be feeling iffy in the digestive department for days (although Ezekial bread for some reason seems a little easier on my tummy than basic whole wheat sandwich loaf, and I'm guessing it is higher in fiber, maybe because the grain is sprouted first).

Lady_Arwen · Answer 5 · 2011-11-13 04:47:23Z UTC

I have had Udi's gluten-free bread-like products like - bread, pizza crust, bagel, etc. in early Paleo. They taste a lot better then most gluten-free products.

I haven't had them in a long while, because I haven't craved them in awhile.

If cheating, probably best with non-gluten grains.

Which kind of sandwich bread is best to cheat with?

5 Answers