Anyone done the 'Paleo' diet, or amodified version?

**khaski** · 07-14-2010, 02:11 PM

In a nutshell, very similar to Atkins without carbs, though fruit is allowed from the start. You're supp. to cut out dairy, too. I find that all a bit extreme, so we're 'modifying' it... meats and lots of veggies, some fruit, some dairy (lowfat milk/yogurt, not cheese 2 often) and carbs. in great moderation- at one meal a day. Trying to get out of the condiment habit and cut waaay back on the ketchup,. BBQ sauce, salad dressings....we'll see. Anyone done this plan or similar before, any pointers? I just don't think it's healthy to forgo dairy as a woman especially (osteoperosis and all), and I find it inconceivable to swear off carbs- I think for me, personally, it would just set me up for failure.

My husband has really gotten into running and lifting lately, he has no weight problem so he wants to do it for overall health, I need to join him to lose a good deal of weight.

**Mom2-3** · 07-14-2010, 02:36 PM

I have never heard of the diet, but it sounds pretty easy to do. Healthy as well. Yeah, I couldn't cut out all dairy either. To each his own on that, but I love cheeses!!

I'm off to google more info. It sounds very interesting tho.

**Dancing Lotus** · 07-14-2010, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by khaski

I just don't think it's healthy to forgo dairy as a woman especially (osteoperosis and all),

The more dairy you consume the weaker your bones become, let me explain how.
Growing evidence is showing that calcium in milk does not protect against osteoporosis. For example in a 12-year Harvard study of 78,000 women, those who drank milk three times a day actually broke more bones than women who rarely drank milk. Similarly, a 1994 study in Sydney, Australia, showed that higher dairy product consumption was associated with increased fracture risk: those with the highest dairy consumption had double the risk of hip fracture compared to those with the lowest consumption.

Why? Well milk actually increases the risk of osteoporosis by eroding bone-making cells.Milk is an acid and when you drink the milk, your body has to leach more calcium from what is already in your bones in order to neutralize the acids. You can get all the calcium your body needs from pant sources. Plant derived calcium is already neutralized and easily digested.
If you don't wish to give up the dairy I suggest keeping it no more then a few servings a week.

And that's just one thing the dairy industry doesn't want you to know about milk.

Now I will wait here while the tomatoes start to fly.

**Mom2-3** · 07-14-2010, 06:37 PM

anyways.... Enjoy your new plan. I'm curious to see how you like it. Sounds interesting

**lparker** · 07-14-2010, 08:03 PM

If I remember right a strict paleo diet is one in which you can eat anything you want as long as it isn't cooked...leaves out beans, potatoes, and a bunch of other stuff. It's a little too strict for me. I got the book, if I can find it.

**McD** · 07-14-2010, 08:28 PM

I know there is a poster here who does a modified Paleo, but I can't think of her user name. I know she is a younger gal named Whitney, married to a Marine and just had a little baby.

AnnK--no tomatoes, but do you have a link or a source for the Harvard study?

**monkeywrangler71** · 07-14-2010, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by MrsMcDowell

I know there is a poster here who does a modified Paleo, but I can't think of her user name. I know she is a younger gal named Whitney, married to a Marine and just had a little baby.

sixxofdiamonds ?

**McD** · 07-14-2010, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

sixxofdiamonds ?

YES!!! Thank you!!!

**Don Wiss** · 07-14-2010, 09:53 PM

I've been strict paleo for 14 years. I am a little flexible when eating out, especially when traveling and needing lots of food to bicycle. At a restaurant I simply tell them I'm gluten-free and dairy-free. I do the best I can swapping the starches for more vegetables, but I will eat rice or potatoes. I never eat desserts, except fruit. I have no non-paleo foods at home.

You can see how I define the diet, with its variations, by doing a search on "paleo diet" and the definition will be indented under its parent page.

**Saule** · 07-15-2010, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by AnnK

The more dairy you consume the weaker your bones become, let me explain how.
Growing evidence is showing that calcium in milk does not protect against osteoporosis. For example in a 12-year Harvard study of 78,000 women, those who drank milk three times a day actually broke more bones than women who rarely drank milk. Similarly, a 1994 study in Sydney, Australia, showed that higher dairy product consumption was associated with increased fracture risk: those with the highest dairy consumption had double the risk of hip fracture compared to those with the lowest consumption.

Why? Well milk actually increases the risk of osteoporosis by eroding bone-making cells.Milk is an acid and when you drink the milk, your body has to leach more calcium from what is already in your bones in order to neutralize the acids. You can get all the calcium your body needs from pant sources. Plant derived calcium is already neutralized and easily digested.
If you don't wish to give up the dairy I suggest keeping it no more then a few servings a week.

And that's just one thing the dairy industry doesn't want you to know about milk.

Now I will wait here while the tomatoes start to fly.

This intrigued me, so I did some research - the principal proponents are PETA, who have their own agenda. As with most such sweeping statements - coffee is bad, eggs are bad, shellfish has high cholestrol - the devil is usually in the details. I would suggest that folks speak to their doctor before cutting out dairy. I know that generally those of us in Northern climates (US, Canada, most of Europe) have low exposure to sunlight, so low Vitamin D levels, so much greater risk for osteoporosis. I am taking supplementary Vitamin D on my doctor's advice for this reason, because calcium is not absorbed without adequate vitamin D.

The Straight Dope: Is cow's milk "the worst beverage on earth?"
Milk: Is milk a cause of Osteoporosis?

Check out this chart on how your need for vitamin D increases as you grow older,
Fast Facts About Osteoporosis

**Dancing Lotus** · 07-15-2010, 12:29 PM

Nicole- American Journal of Public Health 1997;87 992 - 997.

I'm not trying to tell anyone they are wrong to eat what they want. Do what you feel is right for you, just make informed choices. The op's concern about the diet was the danger of eliminating dairy and I wanted to tell her why I believe that if she ate the diet correctly by eating lots of plants that contain calcium she would not be in any danger of osteoporosis.

My point was that while yes dairy does contain calcium that calcium is not as usable as we would like to believe.It is never my intent to sound preachy.
Actually I am not 100% anti dairy, I believe like all things it should be consumed responsibly. The problem is that most Americans consume some form of dairy with nearly every meal and that's the real problem.
This isn't scientific proof by any means but I can tell you that my husbands grandparents were dairy farmers. They consumed dairy every day of their lives, from milk to homemade butter and creams. They both had terrible bones. His grandfather suffered for years with collapsed spine and ribs from brittle bones. His grandmother has osteoporosis and fractures easily.

As for the Paleo diet, I'm not overly familiar with it but from what I do know I would think it would be very difficult to follow. I agree with Saule , always ask your doctor first. I did.

**Nana2two** · 07-15-2010, 06:33 PM

I have read before some where the older you get the harder it is to digest dairy. I find that to be very true. I never had a a problem until i hit around 37 and from then to now. I can't digest it, cause me to be bloated and gassey. I might research this diet. Since i have pancreas issues i welcome any things low in carbs and fat.