My Verdict on Paleo

Updated 6.5.2013; reformatted 9.17.2015
Verdict is probably an overstatement. I only learned of the paleo diet and broader paleoshpere (which I define as paleo websites, blogs and bloggers) while doing research for my menopause manifesto. I was originally looking to remind myself what the rules were for a low carb diet (which I did very briefly in my early 30's) and in the process I disappeared down a rabbit hole called "Paleo."

This series of articles is the results of several years worth of reading, watching and listening to presentations.

And the verdict is...

Paleo is not for me, nor can I recommend any version of it. While there are some positive aspects about the various versions of "paleo diet" presented around the web and in various books, too many of the rules seem arbitrary and not based on any science, or rather based on a flawed understanding of genetic or evolutionary science. I think there are easier ways to eat and be healthy.

Not Paleo EVER

To be clear, I have never followed a paleo diet, in any form. I like some of the ideas of paleo, and I have adopted some of them into my own diet. Any diet that emphasizes whole, real food can't be all bad! But many of the restrictions seem arbitrary to me— especially after reviewing the "science" behind them.

So these articles are based on my critique and commentary of the information I've found, not my own personal paleo experience. Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, physiologist nor trainer. Neither am I looking to sell a book or a line of supplements. Nothing you find here constitutes medical or professional advice. These are my opinions based upon my reading and my personal experiences.

My diet/lifestyle

My own diet includes a lot of whole plant foods, plus a lesser amount of animal foods. I am neither vegan nor vegetarian. I neither fear fat nor seek it out. I have never seriously tried to calculate or control my "macros" but I am calorie aware— even as I don't count calories on a daily basis. And as noted at that link, I walk all day at a treadmill desk, which was/is hugely important in my weight loss.

My Paleo Beginning

So with the provisos out of the way, this series of posts is part of the process of clearing the content queue of pieces I've accumulated. My first exposure to Paleo was Terry Wahls' TEDx talkon Youtube about how she put her Multiple Sclerosis into remission with diet. I was intrigued with her presentation, but the biggest lasting take away for me was the concept of kale chips. I'd never heard of kale chips prior to that, and now they are a staple in my home.

But the first group of posts are mostly based on notes made the 2012 Paleo Summit, and will include links to further information I found after the summit. Paleo (as a diet), in 2011, was a new concept to me, one that I found as I updated my understanding of what passes for low carb dieting (which I have covered elsewhere). I didn't know if I would "blog" these, as others far more versed in nutrition did so , but I take notes as I listen, because it helps me to concentrate. Beyond the Paleo Summit notes, I will present information on the other primary "gurus" of the Paleosphere, most of whom did not present at the summit.

While I was dithering...

Updated 6.5.2013
This series of posts on the paleo diet has taken me longer than I anticipated. In the mean time, the Paleosphere seems to be fracturing as the diet attracts mainstream attention, and substantial criticism. And as long time paleo followers begin to "come clean" with their struggles and how they are changing their diets away from "paleo".

In particular, women on paleo seem to struggle. The low carb, no fruit dogma takes a toll on their health, particularly their thyroid function. The woman writing this went through "menopause" in her 20s— though upon eating more carbs, she got her menses back (at least that's what I remember). Now she's eating a lot of fruit, and feeling better.

Here's another woman quitting paleo, who's written an honest post about her difficulties with health and diet. She's made the rounds through the restrictive eating options and lived to tell the tale. The comments on this post are worth reading as well.

It isn't only women jumping ship, here's another paleo blogger comes out as "no longer" paleo. It's an interesting post, and I recognize a lot of what he lists as his own observations. I hadn't thought to denote those leaving as an "anti-paleo movement." But perhaps it is.

Paleo has begun to receive attention both in the mainstream press and by actual scientists that study the paleolithic era and human evolution. And the reviews have not been particularly positive.

(Added 6.5.2013) Discover Magazine reports on a series of scholarly papers recently published that attempt to identify what paleolithic people actually ate. And the evidence suggests (but does not prove) that grains were an important part of the mix.

Christina Warinner gave a TEDx talk (available on YouTube) about her work actually studying the paleolithic period of human evolution. She notes that the idea of eating whole foods is a good one, but as someone who is studying food remnants on the teeth of paleolithic fossils, the idea that paleolithic humans didn't eat a a lot of vegetation is just wrong.

And of course there's Marlene Zuk's book Paleofantasy. Zuk wrote this article for the Chronicle of Higher Education, which reflects the book's thesis.

Here's another take down of the "Science" in which paleos try to cloak themselves. And it winds up mentioning Marlene Zuk's book, (which he appears not to have read) that takes on the notion that we are not genetically suited to eat a modern diet. In this case though, he focuses on the "woo" that pervades paleo and most of the complementary medicine. And there is a lot of woo in paleo, and tons of people claiming that their woo is based in science.

People study the paleolithic time period as a career, not a hobby or a way to make tons of money marketing a diet plan to chubby people. There is real, actual science being done, and it doesn't show what the paleo diet people want you to believe.

Particularly painful is to read the hashing of genetic research. Just saying the term evolution doesn't make you a scientist. We have only begun to truly learn about our genetic code and what it tells us. And Paleontologists have had to upend some of their theories because of the genetic evidence shows. It's fascinating, it's complicated, and dumbing it down for marketing purposes is horrifying.

Here's a couple more recent articles, one mocking, the other merely questioning whether a diet that excludes all the major cuisines around the world is necessary. Losing legumes and all grains (not just those containing gluten) leaves you without a cuisine-less. Since the primary thing any diet must have is ADHERENCE, my personal answer to her question is no. As to the first linked article, I found it funny because he draws the some of the same conclusions that I have. I agree that paleo is mostly a guy's diet designed to be more macho than Weight Watchers. Some may find the tone offensive, particularly if you are a paleo/primal diet follower.

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