Paleo Diet for Athletes - review (Page 6)

meltnfrets - 2009-08-01 12:53 AM I'm very interested in this method. I recently read an article in Runners world or Outside magazine I can't remember which about Friel's book. For those that have had success for an extended period can I ask how beer fits into the mix? I have to admit to enjoying more than a few and I'm wondering if you don't drink at all or just a few or do you occassionaly go "full throttle"

My view on this is simple.  This isn't a short term fad diet.  This diet is a lifestyle that should stay with you throughout the rest of your life.  In order for that to happen, it needs to fit into your life in such a way to be effective, but non obtrusive as well.  If you really enjoy beer, then have beer.  I would limit it when possible, but when you drink it, enjoy and don't feel any guilt!

My wife and I have been very disciplined w/ the paleo style of eating, but we definitely still enjoy our Gin and Tonics and Scotch!

I highly suggest you read the book on this.  The dairy is doing more harm than good, and if you need the calcium, you're looking for it in the wrong place. A few points on this:

-fruits and vegetables slow or prevent osteoperosis

-diets high in dairy and cheeses actually promote calcium loss in the long run

-calcium balance is the key: more in than out.  With high dairy, your intake goes up but the excretion goes up even more.

-Fruits and vegetables reduce the pH level of your blood, increasing your calcium retention

-Cereals, grains and dairy increase the pH level, increasing your calcium loss

To sum all this up, eating dairy is counterproductive if you're trying to increase your calcium retention.  Cut out the cereal and yogurt, and have ground turkey w/ fruit instead!

Very possible.  They post their research literature, but I'll admit that I haven't looked any of it up. 

I do think there are other benefits that go along with reducing dairy, beyond the acid/calcium balance.  However, it is true that a diet with an appropriate amount of vegetables will be heavy in calcium and other minerals.  The reliance on dairy in order to get that one mineral seems shortsighted when you consider that there are much better sources.

As for the image of dairy as healthy: "Nothing personal.  You're just being fooled by those who promote it."

I agree with you.  Which is why, in this case, I felt that "the need for dairy/cheese for calcium argument" was bad information.  I can see where you would see this as replacing bad information with (in your opinion) bad information, but the question was in reference to calcium loss and the paleo diet, so that was the framework in which I made my response. 

I'm not a fan of being a slave to specific diets or any diets with "rules."  Just eat healthy.  Problem is, it's tough to find good information on dieting, and a lot of the current wide spread beliefs about diet are way off the mark. 

Here's a great site for recipes:

paleofood.com

I have been moving over to the paleo-diet over the past month by giving up dairy first and will remove grains as I eat the ones out of the pantry.  One thing that has been an added bonus is the amount of flatulence that I spew has been much less since giving up dairy. 

Bump

CORocks - 2009-10-28 2:19 PM WOW - I had no idea when I created the original post and my review that it would create such a great discussion! I've received a few PM's from people lately asking about my progress and if I'm still Paleo so I thought I'd post an update. I still eat 95% Paleo and have never felt better. It's been about 10 months now and I can't imagine going back to how I used to eat. My weight has stayed between 160-165lbs and had my bf tested recently and it came back at 7%. (by the way, I had a picture on my profile but not sure what happened to it? I'll try to find a before and after set for visual depiction of the changes) More importantly though, my athletic performance has continued to improve and my overall health is outstanding. As you can see from the variety of posts in the thread, I stand by my statement that it is a relatively fringe and polarizing nutrition plan. And like I said, it's not for everyone and many people don't want to give up cottage cheese, peanut butter, pasta....etc. And that's fine. But I can tell you from someone that has always been in pretty good shape and an athlete my entire life, switching to this plan has been life-changing. There will always be nay-sayers and expect a lot of people to laugh at you or tell you that grains and dairy are the staple of a triathletes diet. I got a PM asking for pros/cons and any advice to stick with the plan so here you go: Pros - big jump in performance, increased energy, lower cholesterol, decreased soreness and joint pain after long training sessions, body composition, overall "clean" feeling all the time, no GI issues at all Cons - expensive (but I actually spend about the same since I cook almost everything and don't eat out that much anymore), tough couple weeks as your body detoxes, hard to eat on the go, peer pressure from friends who just don't get it , relatively limited food selection Tips: go in with an open mind and give it 4 weeks and see how you feel before deciding whether or not to continue, make sure and consume high glycemic drinks/foods during and after training sessions, allow yourself to eat whatever you want a couple meals per week! All the best and feel free to PM me any time with questions

Thanks for the update. If you find those pictures, please post them. I'm getting ready to start this as I switch my focus from triathlon to a marathon.