Paleo Diet

Without going into specifics or stating my opinion of the diet, the concept is that you should eat what the human body has evolved to eat.  If humans were never introduced to grains, then it's not optimal for our health and survival having never introduced evolutional pressure on our development as a species.

Again, not stating an opinion on anything.  Just trying to clarify the concept.

I expiremented with it over the summer before I lost my training mojo and switched to the Dunkin Donuts and beer diet. I loved it. I became a meat eater after being a vegetarian for 20 years so that I could try this way of eating. I felt like what I was eating wasn't the best thing for all the training i was doing. It took about 10 days to get over the tired, sluggish feeling and then I felt GREAT! And I finally lost some weight, too.

I modified it a bit. I decided that I could not eliminate both dairy AND soy, so I chose to continue eating soy and dropped all dairy.

I will get back on this diet again soon, but for now I am just getting used to training again.

Did caveman drink massive amounts of coffee?

Just wondering.

DerekL - 2006-10-23 7:07 PM

Did caveman drink massive amounts of coffee?

Just wondering.

From my research?  Yes.

I understand where you're coming from but take a moment to consider the details.  We're not talking about cutting out carbs...just certain types of carbs that our bodies have not evolved to digest like grains.  And we're not talking about unlocking any secrets.  The goal is to fuel your body with the same fuels it is optimized to use...meats, nuts, fresh fruits and veggies.  The Paleo diet for athletes makes certain allowances for sports drinks and recovery drinks but otherwise you can easily get plenty of carbs from fresh fruits and veggies...I easily eat 5-8 servings of fresh fruit and 5-8 servings of fresh veggies every day.  I also keep my pastas and grains to a minimum.  I certainly don't feel like my training has suffered.  If you are serious about giving it a fair shot then at least ready the book, which is supported by lots of peer-reviewed research, and see what you think about the evidence they present.

coachese - 2006-10-23 5:50 PM  -- cutting out grains (whole grains) would, IMHO, be a detriment to my triathlon training. I tend to distrust ANY diet regimen that tries to convince me to completely eliminate one type of food to magically unlock the secret of weight loss.

I do a modified Paleo diet much like Joel. I often eat 250 grams of carbs with none of it from grains...but instead fruits and veggies. I top 10 servings combined of fruits & veggies most days.

I agree it takes an adjustment period like someone else said. I think it has done wonders for me...I feel better, my training this year has gone great, I've improved a lot, I think it is the best way for me to eat. My body does not deal with processed carbs well which includes pasta and flour based things. I don't eat white stuff...no white potatos, white rice, bread, sugar, flour except for the odd time here and there.

My marginal carbs or treat carbs are sweet potatos and wild rice.

I know you have read the book and are giving it ago..stick with it. For others before you pass judgement, read the whole book...see what you think and if you give it a try, try to stick with it for 4 weeks or so to get your body time to adjust and then see how you do after that adjustment period.