Most people who learn about the Paleo Diet “get it”. It is easy to understand that all living creatures, including humans, are best adapted to the environments where they evolved – including the diet they evolved to eat. When we eat a diet in line with our genetic heritage, amazing things happen. Intractable health problems often magically disappear, excess body fat seems to melt away, the complexion clears, digestion improves, we have more energy, aches and pains often subside, and much more. This is not magic – it is simply the body’s natural response to being fed a diet that optimizes functioning and metabolism.
With readily available modern foods, the Paleo Diet mimics the types of foods every single person on the planet ate prior to the Agricultural Revolution (a mere 300 generations ago). These foods (fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and seafood) are high in the beneficial nutrients (soluble fiber, antioxidant vitamins, phyto-chemicals, omega-3 and monounsaturated fats, and low-glycemic carbohydrates) that promote good health and are low in the foods and nutrients (refined sugars and grains, saturated and trans fats, salt, high-glycemic carbohydrates, and foods that affect gut permeability) that frequently cause weight gain, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and numerous other health problems.
Here is my concern with the Paleo diet. I have IBS, where the gut is overly sensitive to stressors, which cause spasms. The obvious treatment is to reduce stress, but you can only do that so much in our modern world. The rest of the treatment comes from diet.
High amounts of fat stimulate the gut and encourage spasms. Insoluble fiber increases symptoms too. Soluble fiber is helpful, because it creates a water filled gel in the gut that decreasing symptoms caused by the spasms. There are some soluble fiber sources in fruits such as applesauce, but the more plentiful source comes from certain grains (oatmeal), legumes, and all tubers. It is most helpful to eat the soluble fiber source FIRST in the meal, to buffer the gut for the rest of the food to follow.
IBS is fairly common in the U.S. Studies show that 4 - 10% of Americans have IBS symptoms. Anyway, the low fat, high soluble fiber recommendations for treating IBS seem difficult to follow under the Paleo diet. Any advice on how to tailor my diet to my particular needs?
"I started the Paleo Diet 8 months ago. I have lost 52 pounds and went from a size 22 to a size 12. While I'm thrilled with the weight loss, the thing that I am most happy about is my health. I have been suffering with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for 5 years and ulcerative colitis for 2 years. Both of these conditions have virtually disappeared since I have started eating Paleo. I used to deal with IBS on a daily basis and it was beginning to interfere with my work and social environments. Now I never (I really mean Never!) experience the embarrassing and painful attacks that I suffered after every meal. (I have to be careful with any Open Meals because they can sometimes bring about an episode of IBS that serves as an incentive to stick to the diet.) I am still taking my ulcerative colitis medication. However, I intend to discuss stopping it at my next visit with my doctor. My doctors have told me that the only cure for ulcerative colitis is surgery...I truly believe that this diet is the cure for me. My family, friends and co-workers are amazed at what this diet has done for me. Many of them are buying the book and trying it out themselves. Thank you!
-Beth(Tucson, Arizona)
Why are the recipes so complicated? Do we need spinach in that smoothie (from the Home page)?
PALEO RECIPE
" Going Green Smoothie" by Vitamix
1 cup (160 g) green grapes
1/2 cup (78 g) pineapple
2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach
1/2 ripe banana, peeled
1/2 cup (120 ml) water
1 cup (240 ml) ice cubes
Place all ingredients into the blender container in the order listed and secure lid (Make sure the lid is on or you are in for a real mess, trust me:) Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 60 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately.
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Hey Genevieve,
That is the sad misconception about the Paleo Diet. It is not complicated at all! I, too, used to think that and fought Chris tooth and nail until I actually tried it myself. So simple! I wish you would have gone to the Paleo Seminar and hands on cooking class we had not too long ago. We made several dishes that we are pretty simple and all Paleo. In regards to the Spinach in the smoothie, you can't taste it, as the fruit covers it up! Don't knock it until you try it! I used to drink those everyday and have turned even the biggest veggie-hater (my cousin) into a green smoothie lover!
I was glad Chris helped me understand it isn't all that hard and I have never felt better!
Maribel
