Most everyone reading this will agree that we've eaten too much processed food and it has been a contributing factor in our obesity. The evidence is in our expanding waistlines and the growing ranks of those of us getting weight loss surgery. Many post ops, myself included, over time follow a Paleo Diet (paleolithic diet). "Eating like a cave woman" may be a bit of a marketing ploy, or catch all to make the diet fun and memorable. But the fact is that eschewing grains, dairy, legumes, sugar and processed foods and eating Protein, non-starchy vegetables and healthy fats, makes *me* maintain my weight loss and feel better. I should mention that I also do not eat red meat. I also should mention that I have celiac disease and lactose intolerance.

Many nutritionists aren’t buying this way of eating. They say we’re biologically different from our Paleolithic predecessors and that diets that ban whole categories of relatively unprocessed foods are too restrictive and flawed from a nutritional standpoint. I concede that we are biologically different from our cave-dwelling ancestors. But I whole-heartily disagree with the standard American diet -- SAD for short, and aptly acronymed in my opinion -- which is the diet espoused by most nutritionists. I absolutely see an immediate weight gain when I go back to eating grains.

What do you think? Have you tried the Paleo Diet?

@@My Bariatric Life

Just curious if you have tried these bars are if you heard of this company. I'm not totally so much Paleo as I am low carb. I do eat dairy ( cheeses, not milk) and have artifical sweeteners as well (in moderation) but then really low carb - no processed food, no sugar, no bread, rice, etc.

I'm thinking of ordering some.

Paleo Protein Bars Low Carb, Gluten Free, 2g Sugar, GMO-Free, Grain Free, 20g Protein (Egg Whites), Dairy Free, Soy Free, No Artificial Sweeteners, whey Free, Legume Free, No Sugar Alcohols, (Under 200 Calories) Monk Fruit Sweetened Bar! (Six, Delicious, Soft, Chewy Flavors) (100% Paleo)! (6 Different Flavors) (From 2 Net Carbs) (Sold Online Only) FREE Shipping ! http://julianbakery.com/paleo-protein-bars/

Edited March 31, 201511 yr by tamg26k

@@tamg26k I haven't tried them or heard of them but they seem like the best low carb bar I've seen to date according to the nutrition facts. Most of the low carb bars still have too many carbs in my opinion. You do realize of course this is processed food :-) If you try them let me know how they taste. Out of desperation today (husband did not have dinner ready before I had to leave for meditation) I stopped at GNC before class and got a Quest bar. It tasted like putty or something like that :-(

@@Carriejess sounds like you've got the right idea!!!

people do misunderstand that Paleo suggests lots of veggies then Protein then fruits then nuts. Nuts are hugely high in calories and can easily become a binge food or a grazing nightmare and when mixed with some dried fruit and shredded coconut up goes the sugar content, which can spike insulin and trigger cravings and over eating.

@@My Bariatric Life

lol! I know they are processed. It's hard to cut out all processed foods...baby steps. I think I'm going to buy the variety pack of these. I like the fact that they are very high in fiber and no sugar alcohols. I was hoping someone tried them to give an opinion. I do eat a Quest bar from time to time but they are not my favorite. We will see what these are like. I'll keep you posted.

@@tamg26k yep, very hard to cut out ALL processed foods. I look forward to your review! Thanks!!

While i understand many aspects of Paleo Diet are healthy i dont follow it completely. Our Paleo ancestors only lived to about 35 yrs of age so cant see how that diet is "all that"!!! I am trying "clean eating" instead, like you eating everything as close to natural as possible but not deleting complex grains, legumes or dairy.

Edited April 1, 201511 yr by DizzyLizzie

I don't because being a vegetarian with multiple food allergies is enough of a challenge right. I just try to eat as natural & unprocessed as possible

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The reason most people not lose on the paleo diet is that they eat too much fat. Yes coconut oil, butter, nuts, fatty meats etc are not bad for you but you can't eat as much as you want. I ate paleo and went to crossfit for 12 months and didn't lose a pound yes my body changed and I was fit but I didn't lean out. Now I eat a more balanced approach, high Protein and veggies, lowish dairy and legumes and very low sugars and grains. Organic and home prepared whenever possible.

Agree. I did lost 55 pounds doing Paleo/crossfit and cardio, but I had to still watch my carb intake. My fat intake was higher, but the carbs killed me. I actually have PCOS, and doing a whole 30 then paleo got my body so regular that I had normal cycles and got pregnant.. unfortunately, I couldn't tolerate meat or much of anything after I was pregnant and gained it all back.. ugh.

I think the biggest key to paleo is cutting out processed foods. EAting more naturally.

Edited April 1, 201511 yr by Chrystee

My diet follows 90% of the Paleo way of eating. I feel amazing, my labs prove it and I don't require as many vitamins post-op. I am 18 lbs away from my goal weight too!!!

@ clean eating is fabulous!!! maybe consider eating the dirty dozen organically (coffee, tomatoes, etc). Eliminating dairy and grains makes sense for me as I have celiac disease and I am lactose intolerant :-)

I'm not following ANY diet, and never will again!

I don't diet, per se. Clean eating is my lifestyle. Eating processed foods and chemicals makes me physically ill. When I cook from scratch I eat better.

Eating processed foods and chemicals makes me physically ill, too! I am at the salon right now listening to these gals talk about eating some really nasty things tomorrow for Easter. Cheeze Whiz, really???

Nope, I don’t follow a paleo diet. I can’t ignore all the studies linking whole grain consumption to reduced risk for heart disease and diabetes. And I really don’t see a problem with Beans and dairy (as long as you’re not lactose intolerant, of course). Yes, it’s great to cut out many processed foods with added sugars, solid fats, and too much salt, as the paleo diet does.

I think there’s a happy medium between the SAD and a paleo diet. For me personally, it’s about the calories. If I eat the same number of calories, I can eat them from (say) oatmeal and yogurt (non-paleo) or from (say) chicken and broccoli (paleo) and my weight will turn out the same. So, I try to eat unprocessed, high-fiber, and high-protein, but I don’t eliminate food groups like whole grains and dairy and legumes.

@@Alex Brecher. Totally agree. I drink lactose/fat free milk, eat eggs and full fat cheese. I also eat about a cup of homemade salt free popcorn a few times a week. Before my surgery I ate MANY cups, MANY nights. But my main foods are lean proteins and broccoli. So, dieting, including the paleo, and the many others I tried, still let me to surgery. Why? volume. I was eating too much. No matter how healthy the foods. I was eating too much. Now I eat, feel my restriction, and stop. I'm so happy I chose this gift for myself.