Paleo/primal

[Heifer73]

Hi

I have just been reading about the paleo way of life. Is anyone following it? If so how are you feeling?

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/10/04/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet/

Thank you

 

[John the Monkey]

Seems like a weird idea to me, basing a plan for healthy living on an idea of what things were like when average life expectancy was around 30 - 35 years.

I have this in my "to read" pile about it;
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/apr/24/paleofantasy-evolution-sex-diet-review

I'd say eat a balanced diet, and burn off more than you take in, personally.

 

[fossyant]

Far better off with a healthy diet, preferably picking lower GI carbs like wholemeal pasta, brown rice etc. Just ride more.

 

[Ian A]

I do a lot of the "don'ts" of a paleo diet if that makes sense but don't do a paleo diet as such. Cutting out heavily processed foods and eating a large variety of fresh veg, fruit and some meat and fish is not too controversial but the idea of cutting out grains and dairy seems to be the big controversial sticking point for a lot of people. It depends how you see a balanced diet. The source of health advice about basing your meals on starchy carbs and dairy etc is another subject people get excited about.

For me I eat to appetite generally and am pretty lean now I cut right back on the processed junk which again isn't controversial unless you work for Belvita. Mainly lots of veg with some high quality meat or fish. Never afraid of natural fats in there natural sources such as wild caught fish, grass fed meat, nuts etc but I also don't eat uncontrolled amounts. I still have a little dairy when it suits me (full fat, unhomogenized) and also loads of carbs around training based on rice, potatoes, dried fruit and and energy products etc. I'd be kidding myself if I though this was super clean eating when I chow down on an energy bar 80 miles in to a ride. Riding 100 miles is certainly not paleo either. If the subject interests you there is a book called "The Paleo Diet for Athletes" co written by Joe Friel of the Cyclists/Triathletes Training Bible fame which is a good read.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Seems like a weird idea to me, basing a plan for healthy living on an idea of what things were like when average life expectancy was around 30 - 35 years.

The increase in life expectancy is more to do with the advent of modern medicine, think antibiotics, surgery, greater understanding of proper nutrition.

The reality of paelo is that our physiology has evolved over 100,000 (and in terms of microevolution, 1000's) of years to eat very specific foods, so why mess with it. You take a cave man, treat his diseases, ensure he's never starved, but equally still has to work to earn his keep and you will have a very healthy and long living human being)

That said, we can manipulate of our physiology by eating unnatural and tailor made foods to enhance our performance in certain situations, and I see nothing wrong with that. But when it comes to the majority of your diet, you shouldn't be eating processed crap. Stick to your meats, fruit, veg as well as natural nuts seeds and other natural products and you have the key to a very healthy diet.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Oh and homebrew beer, cider and wine is made from natural products and is considered ok in my diet

They key is balance. Once you have learnt how to restrict your desire to stuff your face in times of plenty (which has been since the industrial revolution in our part of the world) you have the key to eating a healthy and balanced diet.

 

[John the Monkey]

The reality of paelo is that our physiology has evolved over 100,000 (and in terms of microevolution, 1000's) of years to eat very specific foods, so why mess with it. You take a cave man, treat his diseases, ensure he's never starved, but equally still has to work to earn his keep and you will have a very healthy and long living human being)

Apparently the book tackles that idea, among others around the "paleo" diet etc, thanks for the prompt to move it up my reading list.

If it works for you, fair dos. Balanced diet, regular exercise does the job for me.

 

[Ian A]

The increase in life expectancy is more to do with the advent of modern medicine, think antibiotics, surgery, greater understanding of proper nutrition.

This is an important point when looking at life expectancy. We thankfully have much lower infant mortality now which also affects these figures. If you look at indigenous tribes around the world the people who survive nature and reach an older age are generally in good health. It should also be noted that there is no one paleo diet as such. The Masai don't eat the same as tribesmen living in the Amazon. Of course none of them fill up on shreddies "fortified" with added vitamins .

 

[confusedcyclist]

I'm not on paelo, I do eat junk food and processed "crap" from time to time. Very much of the frame of mind that balance is more important, and 95% of your food intake should come from the fringes of the supermarket where the fresh produce is found (fruit, veg, meat, milk) the other 5% would be treat foods.

 

[Ian A]

Being happy, that's key . Hormones. hormones and hormones. Your health is dictated by hormones which in turn are affected by many things including what you eat and stress. Now there's a tangent I won't try and hijack this thread with .

 

[JasonHolder]

No. I rather like having energy and being athletic. This crap would hold me back.

 

[hoski]

I'm out. It'd be a pain in the arse being a paleo-vegan...