All DietsWhat You Should Know
The Paleo Diet is a book that was written by Dr. Loren Cordain. Dr. Cordain works in the Colorado State University’s Department of Health and Exercise Science. In this book, Cordain sites works and studies that were conducted by himself and his colleagues as proof why the human diet needs to revert to our prehistoric ancestors, and presents what went wrong with the human diet and how to correct it.
List of Ingredients
There are no ingredients.
Product Features
The concept and premise behind the Paleo Diet is very simple. Cordain maintains that the diets enjoyed by our hunter-gatherer ancestors and those current hunter-gather cultures are much more conducive to the genetic makeup of our bodies. Cordain says that by reducing the number of complex carbs and high glycemic index foods with lean meats, sea food, and whole fruits and vegetables, we can do a great deal in solving the health problems such as heart disease that we are plagued with today.
For the first two weeks of this diet, exercise is not recommended. Overall, it seems that exercise does not play a major role in this diet, though it is not discouraged or overly encouraged. There are recommendations for those who participate in a regular exercise regimen.
The biggest critics of this diet point to the fact that the lifespan of the hunter-gatherer is not typically all that long, and that they led overly active lifestyles. Cordain responds saying that while the activity level may be true, as much as 10 to 20% of the hunter-gatherers lived to be 60 or older, did not have traditional medicine, and were still free from many of the chronic conditions the western world is faced with today.
Advantages
- Encourages healthy eating.
- Very professional website that includes information on the book, the research that went into the book, and user testimonials.
Disadvantages
- Does not address the genetic or hormonal issues related to weight gain.
- May not fully take into account the lifestyle of our prehistoric ancestors.
- May cause constipation. (See reader comments.)
Conclusion
This book is definitely backed by scientific research and user testimonials. The problem lies with a person’s ability to stay dedicated to a new eating habit because of cravings and the ease of obtaining the foods they are not supposed to have. Weight loss is a problem for many people, and the fact that there are so many diet scams out there only makes the problem worse as people try to lose weight and end up gaining it back plus some. The fact is, a healthy eating plan with a good amount of exercise must be followed no matter what. The addition of a supplement that contains proven ingredients to both suppress the appetite and burn fat will help a person along the way.
I am trying the Paleo Diet, and so far am liking it very much. It is extremely easy to follow, and I can even eat out and still be compliant. I feel well on the diet and am seeing weight loss, even tho’ I am eating quite a lot of food… I don’t feel hungry on this diet.
I do disagree with the statement in the review under “Disadvantages”, “Does not address the genetic or hormonal issues related to weight gain.”
The entire premise of the diet is that we are not GENETICALLY programmed to eat the processed carbs and starch that are in today’s accepted meals. And, I have to question how much of my own weight problem is genetic. I come from a line of very fat people. Not surprising… we all pretty much eat the same way. So, is obesity truly genetic, or have we simply passed down bad eating and lifestyle habits?? For my self, I have been able to “break the mould”… I don’t eat like the rest of my fat relatives, and can control my weight. Food for thought.
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DID OUR ANCESTORS NOT EAT FISH – IS THAT TO BE TOTALLY REMOVED WHILE ON THE PALEO DIET. I ASK BECAUSE I AM JUST STARTING OUT TODAY 1/9/10
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Clay, Fish is not only allowed but encouraged due to the high levels of the Omega-3 fatty acids it contains. So go ahead and eat the fish. The book and your body say it is all right.
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You should eats LOTS of fish!
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I am in my 3rd week of the Paleo diet. Constipation is a problem. How can this be corrected without laxitives? Also, I gained 2.5 pounds the first 2 weeks. I have adhered to the diet with the exception of about 1/4 c. of fat-free milk for morning coffee. Is an initial weight gain usual or unusual?
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Barbara..ZERO dairy products and dairy based products..no exceptions..I have been on the diet 11 weeks,I have been fat since childhood,I cheated too at first,now I have lost a total of 31 pounds..DON’T CHEAT!
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Are you eating all of the coniferous veggies you can? cauliflower, broccli, brussell sprouts? This is a huge amount of natural fiber & constipation is not a problem for me. FYI!
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Can you eat black beans on this diet?
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The book says no beans of any kind, they are considered toxic at their dried state & all the toxins aren’t removed with cooking, so no beans.
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I have tried many diets, but cravings always seem to bring the weight back. I have lost 10 pounds on the Paleo Plan in a little over 2 weeks with no cravings. I do not even get hungry. Either water consumption or dairy elimination has eliminated constipation. This is a delicious and simple way to eat good food and feel good. I do keep a calorie diary and I do exercise.
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This is a bad diet and no one should be doing it. It is resulting in several health problems for many individuals. The bottom line with losing weight and feeling good, is eating RIGHT and a good WORKOUT/CARDIO program. This is just another fad diet and the bottom line is that it is bad for you and your body.
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Why do you think it’s a bad diet? From the reviews I’ve read, most doctors consider this to be a healthy diet because of the high volume of fruits and veggies it requires, not just meat. And the meat it recommends is grass-fed, hormone free stuff. So there is eating right built into the diet itself…I mean, that’s what it’s based on. So if MDs are recommending it, which many are, then what health problems are you referring? Do you have a site where we can check out these problems? Are *you* unsatisfied? You list nothing that anyone can discuss with you about this diet, just a blanket statement. This diet seems to be very balanced, and I don’t know why you mention the workout/cardio aspect, because no one else mentioned it, and that it’s…kinda a given when we’re talking about weight loss. Incidentally, most people are on this diet as a life-style change, not as a “diet” in the modern way that we use it. Weight-loss is a benefit, but the overall goal is optimum health, and longevity. So I guess my real question is…where do you get off?
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I’m curious as to why you feel this diet is bad as well. The concept of this diet is different from fad diets,such as the atkins and south beach diet, in that you don’t need need a nutritionist, or a doctor, or a book to figure it out. A person can logically trace a path back through time, and rightfully assume that the technological innovations that have allowed us to process foods the way we do now, did not exist. Follow this path far enough back and we arrive at a time period when the *only* thing to eat was vegetable matter and animal meats(no breads, pastas, grains, etc.). Which is exactly what the paleo diet promotes.
The hallmark of evolution is selective pressure, weeding out what doesn’t work, and promoting that which works well. Anthropology has shown that humans (including their ancestors) have been around for about 3 million years or so. By virtue of your being here, it stands to reason that the diet of your ancestors (one of vegetation and meat) did in fact work. Any human ancestor who’s diet or lifestyle for that matter, did not work, is not here to tell their story today.
Nutritional science has largely muddied the waters, and taken the simplicity out of what we should be eating. No other species needs a dr. or nutritionist to figure out what’s good to eat so why should humans?
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It is a very nutritionally sound food plan. Plenty of fresh protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seed. No mammal needs dairy after infancy much less from a different mammal than they are and no one needs grains much less refined grains. It’s always good to get some exercise, but that’s another subject all together. Many MDs give this two thumbs up! Try it before you knock it. It’s NOT Atkins!
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PS To “Barbara”, You can find Coconut Creamer for your coffee at Earth Fare or Whole Foods or other health food stores. It’s near the soy and nut milk in the refrigerated section. It has no dairy, no soy, and no rice/grain, so a little should be OK to use…
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