Like any ‘diet’, the Paleo diet can be done poorly, or it can be done well! For example, if a Vegan diet isn’t done well, it can end in a long list of health complaints. The Paleo diet is no different, and is certainly not for everyone. In reality, the Paleo diet is more than just a diet; it’s a lifestyle.
Is the Paleo diet ‘dangerous’?
Recently, there has been some negative media surrounding the ‘dangers’ of the Paleo diet. The Paleo diet promotes a diet that is free of grains, legumes and dairy products in favour of lean meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Basically, it’s a nutrient-rich, fresh food, real food approach to eating. The DAA (Dietitians Association of Australia) states that “Any diet excluding whole food groups should raise suspicions”, yet they have no problem with vegetarianism… Hmm. Personally, I struggle to see how eating natural, high-fibre, whole, nutrient-dense foods could be ‘dangerous’ for you.
Let’s get the Paleo facts straight:
- There is no ONE Paleo and Primal diet. Obviously, people living in the Sub-Antarctic evolved eating very different foods to those living in the tropical mountains of Borneo. This is also backed up by data which reveals that for the Inuit’s, meat and fish comprised of a whopping 95% of their diet, whereas for the !Kung people of southern Africa, only 10% of their diet was meat and fish, with 60% being nuts and seeds.
- Humans are constantly evolving and adapting to suit our environment. For example, lactose intolerance increased with our increased exposure to dairy.
- Our food today has changed enormously (even the fresh produce!). Let’s take Banana – the old and wild banana variety is basically inedible due to the seeds and bitter compounds, as are foods such as broccoli and rocket. These have all been bred so we can actually eat them! So, even our fruits and vegetables foods as are vastly different to what they were back in the Paleo era.
- In Paleolithic times, humans ate what was available to them out of necessity, not out of choice.
Where I see people go ‘wrong’ on the Paleo diet is when they ‘over-do’ meat and animal protein. In my humble opinion, although this DID vary with geographical differences, meat was always more of a ‘condiment’ to plants. In addition to this, remember that not all meat is created equal, and just like the changes to our vegetables and fruits; the meat most people consume today is also different to what our ancestors were eating. However, I find that many people who follow the Paleo diet are ethical meat buyers and consumers…. Meaning they know exactly where their meat has come from.
Another common myth is that many people think that the Paleo diet is ‘low-carb’, simply because it’s devoid of grains. In my opinion this is a total misnomer… fruits and starchy vegetables are LOADED with carbohydrate! I don’t know one Paleo eater who doesn’t regularly consume these foods.
Finally, I believe that a ‘true’ primal lifestyle includes plenty of physical activity, something we all benefit from. Again, many people I know who follow the Paleo way understand this!
Bottom Line…
Listen to your body’s messages. If this approach doesn’t work for you, do something else! In my practice, I recommend the Paleo diet for certain people, particularly those with gluten and dairy and sensitivities; and/or clients with an autoimmune disease. I am also quite lenient with my Paleo recommendations, and feel that a little bit of dark chocolate, or butter, or buckwheat, or red wine on the odd occasion isn’t going to undo someone.
Personally, I don’t eat strictly Paleo, or strictly Vegan, or strictly low-carb, or strictly raw, or strictly anything. I simply opt for whole, nutrient-dense, real foods when and where I can, and I enjoy every mouthful! As I mentioned earlier, I struggle to see how eating natural, whole, high-fibre, nutrient-dense foods could be ‘dangerous’ for you, but I do feel that there’s no one-diet-fits-all, and the Paleo diet has many ‘shades’. At the end of the day, if someone wants to opt for salad and fish instead of processed Lean cuisines, I’m all for it!
Until next time,
Stacey.
