Eating Clean - Do you do it?

[mombrontrent]

All you paleo people need to read The China Study

 

[practicallyperfect77]

All you paleo people need to read The China Study

I will. Have a 14 hr road trip this weekend so plenty of time. Even if it's a book against paleo diet it'll be interesting. I've said all along what works for one may not work for all. After doing an elimimation diet tho and adding some foods back, I know grains make me feel like crap. And sugar is even worse. I feel better than I have in years and know I'm eating right for me.

 

[kinntj]

I just received a paleo book and We'll Fed 1 and 2 for additional recipes. I plan on trying it for 30 days and then slowly adding in some foods and see how I tolerate them. I don't know if I could give up legumes forever. We'll see how it goes. I plan on starting November 1st.

 

[LisaR]

I wouldn't argue that those who live paleo eat meat. I'm personally a big meat eater myself... But I balance it was being a big veggie eater too.

The majority of paleo eaters I know (and it's the majority of my social circle) do eat meat, but our consumption of produce is actually higher. Just like there are different types of vegetarians, there are different paleo eaters too.

I guess I sometimes get bugged when I hear my entire lifestyle (and it's not a diet for me... It truly is a way of eating in which I've changed the very fundamental way I live my life and raise my kids) summed up as baconbaconbaconBEEFCHICKENBEEFbaconbaconbaconEGGSEGGSEGGS in popular media. It can get tiresome to constantly hear that chant. I need to get over it, but I've had such profound success and happiness, I just feel like I've found the fountain of youth and want to share with anyone who is interested.

I understand. It is just like everyone who assumes that I only eat salad because I am a plant based eater. Not even close! But the difference between myself and my friends who eat paleo is that when we talk about food options, I never mention salad and my paleo friends only talk about the side of beef they ordered or how much they love having bacon daily. I purposely try and bring up things other than salad to show the great variety, and they seem to want to make it known that they eat large amounts of meat and eggs! Oh well, different strokes and all that. I know that not everyone following that lifestyle eats that way, but my friends sure do!

 

[lakelandgal70]

Not all paleo is Whole30.

But Whole30 is pretty strict paleo (without any deviation for 30 days, there are slightly more strict versions of Whole30, like the autoimmune protocol, that you can try out as well). The goal of Whole30 is a full reset of the body, so it's not necessarily something you can do just a little bit and see how it works. But the plus side is... it's only 30 days! And you learn so much in that time span that you end up really revising a lot of your previous habits.

Just to clarify because I see this assumption frequently...
Paleo does not necessarily mean eating massive quantities of meat (and bacon) and absolutely no carbohydrates. It is not dairy-removed version of Atkins. There are a ton of vegetarians who subscribe to the paleo lifestyle and there are specific places on the internet where you can find support as a paleo vegetarian.

The paleo lifestyle definitely has carbohydrate intake... we eat a lot of squash and some sweet potatoes in our family. it's just that grains, corn, gluten, and refined products are taken out. A lot of those who live a paleo lifestyle regularly will periodically allow some wild rice, white potatoes, or quinoa into their diet as well. I challenge every single dish I make to use anywhere between 3-8 different vegetables. We get a lot of fiber and carbohydrates through a lot plant/produce intake.

Not picking on you specifically... I just hear the whole "I'm not a big meat eater, I couldn't do paleo" frequently in a lot of different places.

I am starting my first Whole30 on the 4th and I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to do it. I first read about it here on the boards about a month ago and looked it up. Got the book It Starts with Food and both hubby and I read it. I was intrigued and did more research online and compiled tons of recipes and we went 80-90percent compliant. What a difference it has made just making small changes. The eating 3 meals a day will be a challenge for me but I think it is worth it. Never in a million years did I think we could give up fast food, pizza or eating out and eating whatever we wanted without thinking about it. Just these small changes has changed how I look at food and think about what I put in my body. I can only imagine how the 30 day challenge will change us. We both have lost 10lbs a piece. I feel a lot better. It may not be for everyone but for me who didn't think I could eat all that food it works.

 

[LSmith]

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[Dancind]

All you paleo people need to read The China Study

China study has been debunked so many times. Here's one:

http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/07/07/the-china-study-fact-or-fallac/

 

[Dancind]

People can eat whatever they want, including bacon. What I have a hard time with is anyone thinking that bacon is somehow healthy for you. Sounds like old Atkins diet to me and we know what happened to Dr. Atkins - he died of a heart attack.

Here's something to ponder about pork: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesmc...ous-antibiotics-pollution-welfare-violations/

Dr. Atkins actually died from falling on ice and hitting his head. Some bacon is definitely not good for you, some is just fine, tasty, and very filling.

You have to pick your bacon.

 

[LSmith]

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[LSmith]

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[lakelandgal70]

Dr. Atkins actually died from falling on ice and hitting his head. Some bacon is definitely not good for you, some is just fine, tasty, and very filling.

You have to pick your bacon.

Exactly!! Just buying any type of bacon at the grocery store isn't going to work. You have to make sure it is raised humanly and no nitrates. And usually that type of bacon is so expensive that you aren't going to eat copious amounts of it. People that think Paleo is just bacon and eggs are mistaken. It is much more than that.

 

[Jeslynb]

I'm truly not questioning what you said. If you say there are websites with vegetarian paleo eaters, I believe you. But I will say this, of the people I know personally that follow the paleo lifestyle (maybe a dozen families) meat is HUGE and bacon is an almost daily part of their diet. I think a few on this thread have even mentioned their regular use of bacon. Unless you specifically Google vegetarian paleo, most paleo recipes that pop up will involve meat. So while my survey isn't remotely scientific, I do believe that a large percentage of paleo eaters rely heavily on meat. I'm not debating the use of meat. If you like it, go for it. I'm just saying that most people do associate meat with paleo.

"Bacon!!!" has become a bit of an internet meme or battle-cry for the Paleo lifestyle, but it's mostly tongue-in-cheek and not "serious." Most people who eat this way (I follow a similar plan) do not eat vast quantities of bacon. Produce is king in all these plans - I know so many people who eat this way and meat/fish/chicken is only part of the equation. Nom Nom paleo is a good site (in addition to 100 days of real food).

Bacon is, of course, permitted if it's free of nitrites. But it's not intended to be the foundation. But I can see where one might get that impression - I've seen people at Crossfit wearing bacon t-shirts!!

 

[Dancind]

There's also a lot of difference between eating "clean" and Atkins. They are really not the same. Ever read the label on an Atkins Bar? It's pretty much all additives. Paleo is all about the quality of food.

If I went vegan I would be so very sick. And I did try it for a while, was desperate, and I felt like cr__. Due to grain and soy allergies, there would be very little for me to eat. Mark Sisson has done a couple of articles about how one can do the Paleo/Primal diet as a vegetarian/pescatarian , but not vegan. Vegetarians eat eggs, so it's doable. Without fish or eggs, it's really hard.

So, thanks, but not interested in Forks over Knives or the China Study. And I don't think I'm terribly unique. Just a normal anglo female over 50. Every other one of those I know has some kind of auto immune condition. Yes, would love to give them a big hug and say "eat this, you'll feel so much better". My efforts are usually met with "I could NEVER stop eating bread/pasta/sugar".

Anyway, I'm so glad that a vegan diet is working well for a couple of you here. That's great. You may have some very advanced genes. I think you should consider that most people would not thrive on a diet like yours.

 

[Jeslynb]

You are going to believe some girl with a blog over thousands of hours of studies by leading doctors? Anyone can debunk any study.

There have been hundreds of articles written about "that girl" (Denise Minger) and her article about the China study, including many by MD's who agree with her.

I read the China Study and her article - so very interesting and informative. I'm surprised that you read it and yet refer to her so dismissively.

I agree that anyone can debunk any study. In which case, why suggest that people read this one?

ETA: My sibling and his entire family are vegan and they seem to do just fine, other than some Vitamin D issues. I think different plans work for different people. Vegan AND Paleo are both many times better than the standard American diet. Both remove most processed foods. Both include large quantities of produce, fiber and minerals.

 

[mombrontrent]

Exactly!! Just buying any type of bacon at the grocery store isn't going to work. You have to make sure it is raised humanly and no nitrates. And usually that type of bacon is so expensive that you aren't going to eat copious amounts of it. People that think Paleo is just bacon and eggs are mistaken. It is much more than that.

That's a joke right Just like all those chickens hatching all those eggs are also peacefully strolling though open farmlands

Don't fool yourselves into thinking that animal products can be humanly raised. Then we'll peacefully slaughter you

I thought Dr.Atkins died of a heart attack. He had a heart attack, fell and hit his head because of the heart attack.

Baring certain allergies it is not hard nor does it require super humane progressive genes to thrive on this lifestyle. In fact the opposite is true. It is nearly impossible not to thrive on this diet if your diet is balanced. The only supplement I take is B12. I was vegetarian for 15 years and now in my second year as a vegan and I have never been healthier.

 

[Jeslynb]

That's a joke right Just like all those chickens hatching all those eggs are also peacefully strolling though open farmlands

Don't fool yourselves into thinking that animal products can be humanly raised. Then we'll peacefully slaughter you

I thought Dr.Atkins died of a heart attack. He had a heart attack, fell and hit his head because of the heart attack.

Baring certain allergies it is not hard nor does it require super humane progressive genes to thrive on this lifestyle. In fact the opposite is true. It is nearly impossible not to thrive on this diet if your diet is balanced. The only supplement I take is B12. I was vegetarian for 15 years and now in my second year as a vegan and I have never been healthier.

You sound tense.

 

[Dancind]

And good for you! That's great, I'm glad you are healthy.

There are a lot of blogs out there by former vegans, some very well known vegans, that were so sick and fatigued that they switched to Paleo.

You don't eat meat and believe that makes you healthier. I eat meat and it makes me healthier.

Not going to reach agreement here.

 

[mombrontrent]

And good for you! That's great, I'm glad you are healthy.

There are a lot of blogs out there by former vegans, some very well known vegans, that were so sick and fatigued that they switched to Paleo.

You don't eat meat and believe that makes you healthier. I eat meat and it makes me healthier.

Not going to reach agreement here.

Yes you are right, agree to disagee

 

[practicallyperfect77]

There's also a lot of difference between eating "clean" and Atkins. They are really not the same. Ever read the label on an Atkins Bar? It's pretty much all additives. Paleo is all about the quality of food.

If I went vegan I would be so very sick. And I did try it for a while, was desperate, and I felt like cr__. Due to grain and soy allergies, there would be very little for me to eat. Mark Sisson has done a couple of articles about how one can do the Paleo/Primal diet as a vegetarian/pescatarian , but not vegan. Vegetarians eat eggs, so it's doable. Without fish or eggs, it's really hard.

So, thanks, but not interested in Forks over Knives or the China Study. And I don't think I'm terribly unique. Just a normal anglo female over 50. Every other one of those I know has some kind of auto immune condition. Yes, would love to give them a big hug and say "eat this, you'll feel so much better". My efforts are usually met with "I could NEVER stop eating bread/pasta/sugar".

Anyway, I'm so glad that a vegan diet is working well for a couple of you here. That's great. You may have some very advanced genes. I think you should consider that most people would not thrive on a diet like yours.

I'm the same way Dancid. I tried vegetarian and felt awful. I felt awful on std american gov't recommended diet of 6 servings of whole grains and low fat too. I firmly believe there isn't one diet that will work for everyone. But I do believe eating paleo is the best diet for me. I know so many folks that have autoimmune issues and I really do think if they tried paleo they would see benefits. Maybe they would see benefits from a gluten free vegan diet too. So much research shows that gluten intensifies the autoimmune attack.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I am starting my first Whole30 on the 4th and I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to do it. I first read about it here on the boards about a month ago and looked it up. Got the book It Starts with Food and both hubby and I read it. I was intrigued and did more research online and compiled tons of recipes and we went 80-90percent compliant. What a difference it has made just making small changes. The eating 3 meals a day will be a challenge for me but I think it is worth it. Never in a million years did I think we could give up fast food, pizza or eating out and eating whatever we wanted without thinking about it. Just these small changes has changed how I look at food and think about what I put in my body. I can only imagine how the 30 day challenge will change us. We both have lost 10lbs a piece. I feel a lot better. It may not be for everyone but for me who didn't think I could eat all that food it works.

Congrats Lakelandgal! My biggest change was my mood. I think sugar was making me an irritable witch! It's amazing how much more calm I feel now. Eating 3 meals was a change for me as well, but I think it's the best thing for me. I have lots of fat on my body and I'm leptin resistant. Leptin is the satiety hormone. My brain doesn't receive the message that I've eaten....especially eating more frequent smaller meals. I know this for a fact for me b/c I did a fitness challenge for 10 weeks earlier this year and pretty much felt hungry most of the time. Now that I eat bigger less frequent meals I feel satisfied. Also my relationship with food has completely changed. I used to use food for comfort. Cheetos or a heath bar could "fix" anything. I know longer have those cravings. It's an amazing feeling to be free of cravings. best of luck to you on your journey. One of my favorite sites for recipes (I also love the bloggers way of writing) is www.paleomg.com