Paleo – The Good and the Not so Good

 The Good:

First you may be wondering, just what is the Paleo Diet? Overall, the Paleo Eating Plan is quite excellent because it involves eating foods as close to nature as possible:  the way God created them. This includes meat, vegetables, nuts and seeds, a little starch, some fruit and good fats in moderation, such as, olive oil and avocado. The guidelines say NO to sugar, processed food, grains, dairy, soy, corn, beans and white potatoes.

For most of us, staying on a Paleo Diet is a total lifestyle change and I must say, a good one. Man-made foods (even if they are labeled fat free) tend to steal our health and to create weight gain. You have probably noticed, as well, how addictive man-made foods are.  You just can’t eat a few potato chips (or Fritos – my favorite). And then there is sugar . . . wow!  Sugar can set us on an emotional roller coaster, and usually we don’t even know why.

The decision to follow the Paleo Diet Plan (as with any good eating plan) takes a totally new mindset.  It takes a strong motivation and determination, keeping the benefits of this way of eating always in mind.

Personally, I have eaten healthy food close to these guideline for many, many years. Up until six months ago, I had not followed nor had even known much about the Paleo Diet, and for sure I did not follow all of the “Don’t Eat” guidelines. I still eat a few of the ones listed in the “don’t” category. I began learning and cooking Paleo to help our niece, who had come to live with us, and had joined CrossFit Ammo fitness workouts. At the end of July I decided to bite the bullet and join CrossFit Ammo myself. It was then that I accepted the strict, healthy eating plan. The benefits were worth it and I discovered the diet plan is not really that difficult to follow.

I adapted a new mindset and set my goal to become one of the healthiest, fit 70-year-old’s around.  Yes, I had to find some great recipes and excellent substitutions, and learn a few tricks, such as, preparing food in advance of my grandson’s cake and ice cream birthday party. But it really wasn’t that difficult. (The Paleo Brownies are something that can be made ahead and frozen in small individual servings for such occasions.)

Let’s look at just a few of the “Not So Good” things about Paleo, and then I will tell you just why I intend to stick with my slightly modified Paleo Diet – the Fabufit way. I think of it as Paleo Fabufit.

The Not So Good

Pork: In most Paleo cookbooks, pork is often used. In my opinion, based on years of studying nutrition, pork should be eliminated or at least limited. German professor Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg, M.D. published an article entitled “The Adverse Influence of Pork Consumption on Health.”  He plainly concluded, “Pork should be regarded as an important homotoxin (human poison).” Professor Reckeweg has been known as the Father of Homotoxicolgy.

Fats: The good fats are good and absolutely cannot be left out of our healthy recipes. However, a caution must be given that it is really easy to use way too much good olive oil in cooking, and eat way too many good nuts and seeds in our healthy snacks. The Paleo writers actually do talk about limiting these good fats, but based on my experience, it might need to be stressed more. Highly heating of oils is another thing to be aware of, as this can  cause the good oil to become rancid.

Eliminating Corn and Legumes.  – Although I realize there are many health issues caused by over consumption of grains, I have not yet seen the reason for no corn or legumes in a healthy diet. Because I am a Christian and do not believe in evolution, I can’t go with the reasoning that humans shouldn’t eat what animals don’t eat. For example, “A Paleo eating approach considers the fact that food can make you healthy and . . . a cow would never be found in a cornfield chomping on an ear of corn.”

My Conclusion – I like the Paleo eating plan. I have made modifications to it in my own personal eating and it has given me good results. I have combined the Crossfit Ammo workout routines with my slightly modified Paleo eating plan, and in a little over a month have already lost a stubborn inch in my waist and another stubborn inch in my abdomen. This has been thrilling to me as I address my life fitness. The combination of these two elements has also created muscle definition in my arms, legs, back and shoulders that I actually have never seen before in my life.

In the end, you will need to put in the work and search for yourself on the Paleo Nutritional data. I do agree with one author who says “the Paleo approach to eating is an excellent way to reset your system and essentially start from scratch.”  Slowly add in problematic foods like those mentioned above to discover what works and doesn’t for you.

Next month I will give you some great fitness tips, including what I like about Crossfit Ammo.  Please follow my blog, and check out my website at http://www.fabufit.com for products to help you start or stay on your road to lifetime fitness.  I offer FREE Fabufit 101 to get you started!

I would love to hear your comments about the Paleo Diet Plan.  Share your success, questions or concerns below.