Defining the Paleo Method

by Ben Atlas on 06.18.2011.8:47am · 3 comments

Chris Kresser wrote an important post – Beyond Paleo: moving from a “paleo diet” to a “paleo template”. I would rather call it a method instead of the template, as I commented there: a better name is “paleo method”, it denotes a progression, possibility of change, while template means a static scheme, literally template is a mold to copy things exactly as they are or “a shaped piece of metal, wood, card, plastic, or other material used as a pattern…” You want to break the pattern instead… Nevertheless these are the golden rules:

Don’t eat toxins:
Food containing grains: cereals, breads, pastries, etc.
Possibly corn.
Legumes: beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, etc.
Industrial seed oils from corn, cottonseed, sunflower, soybean, grape oil, etc.
Sugars, sugar substitutes, high-fructose corn syrup.
Soy and processed soy.

Eat real food:
Meat, fish, eggs
Vegetables
Nuts
Fruit

Individual choice depending on tolerance:
Rice
Whole milk products
Caffeine, Tea
Nightshades: white and sweet potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, etc.
Buckwheat kasha

Avoid the last group, with the exception of tea and coffee, when you start the Paleo. Then follow the 30 day rule, after a 30 day detox reintroduce and see if there is an adverse reaction. If the goal is weight loss, then eat fruit, nuts and the third group food in moderation.

A good primer from a diffren sourse is the 12 Step Archevore Diet by Dr. Kurt Harris.

Further reading:

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Greg Linster June 18, 2011 at 8:59 am 1

Ben, what are your thoughts on alcohol? Particularly, wine and beer? I assume you would place alcohol in the “Individual choice depending on tolerance” category.

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Ben Atlas June 18, 2011 at 9:03 am 2

With alcohol Robb Wolf has a pretty good rule of thumb, drink if you need for business or to get laid.

Reply

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