There is SO MUCH literature, both online and in print about paleo eating and lifestyle. Th ere are multiple "studies" both pro and con. [Watch for the sponsors of the "con" studies]. I have seen, [and belong to] some Facebook groups about beginning or continuing on the "paleo" manner of eating and living. So many seem to be just coming up with ideas about making "paleo" foods that look and taste like the old high-carb stuff that we are trying to get away from. Paleo cookies, pancakes, crackers, cakes, pies, pizza, etc. etc.
I think this is a bit of a trap. Our ancient ancestors didn't necessarily have so much the luxury of which foods were the tastiest. They ate what they found, picked, or killed. If we are going to try to at least somewhat mimic that, I think we need to stay closer to that basic premise. I understand what people are doing, and why they take that approach. It is difficult to change a lifetime of habits. My personal opinion is that, in order to really make such a change, we have to change the way we look at food. The human animal is so bright and innovative that we have taken what was once mere sustenance and turned it into the center of most social interaction. From the time our ancestors gathered after a successful hunt to fill their empty bellies with much deserved meat, our very connection with our peers has largely revolved around the food that we eat. Countless billions of dollars are spent each year convincing people to consume different foods. Social scientists, chemists, advertising and marketing specialists collaborate on how much sugar, fat, or caffeine to put into food, and how and where to market it to get the most bang for the buck. Brightly colored boxes sporting popular cartoon characters line the lower aisles of the grocery store where they will be seen [and hopefully demanded] by little ones. Prizes are inserted into boxes. Industry lobbyists swarm our politicians to curry favor for their products.
Generally, my point is that, if food has been "marketed" to you, you probably shouldn't eat it. Meat should have one ingredient: meat. Vegetables and fruits don't need ingredient labels.
This isn't easy. Sugar, in particular, is at the very least, habit forming, and some studies have likened cravings to those for other, more sinister sounding substances.
You won't get this done all at once, or cold-turkey. Our ancient, pre-agricultural era ancestors didn't need bread or cereal, or milk, or cheese, or chips. We don't "NEED" those either. We "need" nourishment. That is meat, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, and maybe some tubers or roots. All things similar [not the same, but similar] to what our ancestors lived on. Our bodies haven't evolved much in the past 25k years, but our diet has changed COMPLETELY. Most quickly accessible and cheap food now seems to be grain and sugar based now. Combine this with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and we have a recipe for illness and a lack of ability to accomplish much of anything that has physical demands.
I know that of which I speak. I'm not here to preach. I've eaten my share of sugary foods in the past, and they taste good, for certain. I notice personally, though, when I eat more carbohydrates, I crave more. When I eat lots of things that contain sugar, I am achy all over the following day or two. Our bodies simply can't cope with what we are consuming, and continue to stay healthy. We need to be outside, get exercise, get some sun, drink clear water and eat as much REAL food as we need, when we need it, not because it is 12:00 and "time" for lunch, or 6:00 and "time" for dinner. Eat irregularly, fast for a few hours, change it up a bit. I like to fast from sometime in the evening, through "breakfast time", into late morning. That gives my body a solid 12+ hours without food. I think that affects my metabolism.
I think this is a bit of a trap. Our ancient ancestors didn't necessarily have so much the luxury of which foods were the tastiest. They ate what they found, picked, or killed. If we are going to try to at least somewhat mimic that, I think we need to stay closer to that basic premise. I understand what people are doing, and why they take that approach. It is difficult to change a lifetime of habits. My personal opinion is that, in order to really make such a change, we have to change the way we look at food. The human animal is so bright and innovative that we have taken what was once mere sustenance and turned it into the center of most social interaction. From the time our ancestors gathered after a successful hunt to fill their empty bellies with much deserved meat, our very connection with our peers has largely revolved around the food that we eat. Countless billions of dollars are spent each year convincing people to consume different foods. Social scientists, chemists, advertising and marketing specialists collaborate on how much sugar, fat, or caffeine to put into food, and how and where to market it to get the most bang for the buck. Brightly colored boxes sporting popular cartoon characters line the lower aisles of the grocery store where they will be seen [and hopefully demanded] by little ones. Prizes are inserted into boxes. Industry lobbyists swarm our politicians to curry favor for their products.
Generally, my point is that, if food has been "marketed" to you, you probably shouldn't eat it. Meat should have one ingredient: meat. Vegetables and fruits don't need ingredient labels.
This isn't easy. Sugar, in particular, is at the very least, habit forming, and some studies have likened cravings to those for other, more sinister sounding substances.
You won't get this done all at once, or cold-turkey. Our ancient, pre-agricultural era ancestors didn't need bread or cereal, or milk, or cheese, or chips. We don't "NEED" those either. We "need" nourishment. That is meat, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, and maybe some tubers or roots. All things similar [not the same, but similar] to what our ancestors lived on. Our bodies haven't evolved much in the past 25k years, but our diet has changed COMPLETELY. Most quickly accessible and cheap food now seems to be grain and sugar based now. Combine this with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and we have a recipe for illness and a lack of ability to accomplish much of anything that has physical demands.
I know that of which I speak. I'm not here to preach. I've eaten my share of sugary foods in the past, and they taste good, for certain. I notice personally, though, when I eat more carbohydrates, I crave more. When I eat lots of things that contain sugar, I am achy all over the following day or two. Our bodies simply can't cope with what we are consuming, and continue to stay healthy. We need to be outside, get exercise, get some sun, drink clear water and eat as much REAL food as we need, when we need it, not because it is 12:00 and "time" for lunch, or 6:00 and "time" for dinner. Eat irregularly, fast for a few hours, change it up a bit. I like to fast from sometime in the evening, through "breakfast time", into late morning. That gives my body a solid 12+ hours without food. I think that affects my metabolism.
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