Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I know, this question might seem a little basic for most of you, but I really really want to know.

So, I am on Paleo, and if you are 100% true Paleo, you should not consume milk/dairy products, sugar and salt. Am I correct so far?

Both sauerkraut and kimchi have salt. Yogurt and kefir are made with dairy (milk). Kombucha tea requires sugar to aid fermentation.

I do not doubt for one second that fermented foods are very good for human digestive system, I am a total believer in fermented foods.

I just want somebody to explain to me - how is salt in saurekraut fits under Paleo umbrella? Where did hunters and gatherers would get salt for their saurekraut and milk for their kefir?

flag	asked Jan 13 2012 at 19:14 VB 12.4k●1●7●40

raydawg · Answer 1 · 2012-01-13 19:18:59Z UTC

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There is no limitation to salt whilst eating Paleo. The Paleo diet is not a historical recreation.

answered Jan 13 2012 at 19:18

raydawg
14.4k●8●32

'There is no limitation to salt whilst eating Paleo". And what is the reason for this? I would love to hear an explanation! It has nothing to do with history - there are plenty of indigenous tribes still alive and well in the world. What about traditional hunter gatherer's diets? How much salt do they consume? Where do they get it? I would rather listen to them than any other nutritional experts. – VB Jan 13 2012 at 20:17

Nance · Answer 2 · 2012-01-13 19:23:04Z UTC

Salt is fine. Wild animals, and almost certainly ancient humans, know/knew the location of natural "salt licks" just as they know/knew the location of beehives and birds' nests.

I am lactose intolerant but I happily consume butter, heavy cream and home-made extra-fat yogurt. You should feel free to eat/not eat such foods based on whether you like them (which may indicate tolerance) and the presence/lack of digestive consequences.

You can also bet that ancient peoples were very knowledgeable about fermentation and drying/storage of foods since they were skilled survivors.

I, for example, go very easy on nuts including coconut because my taste buds and gut make it clear that I shouldn't eat them often or in great quantities. I love meat but pork is not ideal for me. Do some experimentation and see what your best mix of foods is and that's your "paleo" list.

Derek Dysart · Answer 3 · 2012-01-13 19:24:03Z UTC

Opinion on the "paleoness" of salt differs. I've personally seen little that says one should avoid it, other than the obvious of avoiding processed foods which are high in sodium. In his last podcast, Robb Wolf even covers the question of the place of sodium in the diet and make an arguement that someone on a strict paleo diet might be deficient in sodium (and the affects that it has).

In terms of where did hunter and gatherers get their salt? Maybe the ocean?

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