Hey Girl,
I haven't posted on your blog yet but I just wanted to tell you that I have been keeping up with it for a month or so now and am really enjoying reading it. I appreciate how you not only provide your opinion but the scientific backing behind your stances on nutrition and pharmaceuticals as well. I also love your recipes! I've been a vegetarian now for a few months and am trying to incorporate more vegan options into my diet (as a result of reading the China study and watching too many documentaries on netflix) and your blog definitely helps! I know we haven't really talked since high school but I just wanted to drop you a line and say keep up the blogging it's great! Hope you're well!
So, will all the new hype about the new CrossFit gym here in Statesboro, I decided to research some aspects a little more. I think I am a little biased towards the workouts since I work with fitness professionals, so I have decided to share with you my thoughts on the Paleo Diet-- the recommended diet for those using CrossFit. Please remember I am not yet an RD. Aesthetically these dieters look great, but I am not so sure about their insides.
Starting off with what I can accept about this diet. I love that it asks you to cut out all processed foods while sticking to a whole foods diet. Second, I love that push fruits and veggies. For obvious reasons, this is always going to be better for you, and with the average American population not consuming close to what they need... this is fine with me! But, other than that, I must argue some things about this diet.
- No legumes? No grains? Hmmm... I understand that legumes have lots of carbs, but compared with the amount of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein... I think legumes should be a staple in just about anyones diet. The amount of animal protein this diet asks you to consume is outrageous-- with that much (saturated) fat and protein and little fiber in our bodies, what is the meat supposed to do? Sit there in our digestive systems and take a very long time to digest. Which leads me to my next issue...
- The amount of animal protein ingested. Compared to a plant-based diet with NO saturated fat in it, animal products are packed with this stuff. High saturated fat intake leads to lots of things. One of the most concerning for our day and age, heart disease... the #1 killer in America. Not to mention the current meat industry. This is NOTHING like what it used to be. I guess one of the reasons I went veggie... but still... the meat we eat today is not even comparable to what is was even 50 years ago, much less 10,000. Between the hormones, antibiotics, slaughter method, and the conditions they are kept in... I think I'll pass.
- I disagree with the current amount of carbs we as Americans take in... but we cant completely cut those out either. So if you cant eat carbs... where is the energy for your brain going to come in? Carbohydrates=glucose=brain fuel. Simple as that.
- >protein <carbs: Hmmm. Let me take you through a little biochemistry.
- Protein is made up of Nitrogen compounds. While protein is INDEED necessary in our bodies, it is not required in such high amounts.
- Nitrogen converts to uric acid the body. If found in high amounts, the uric acid in our bodies can damage our kidneys, which I don't know about you... but kidneys work magic in our body. Kidney failure is no good...
- Then carbohydrate intake... which this diet says to cut out. But, if adequate carbs are not ingested, this can lead to something called Ketosis. This leads to muscle wasting... which I guess is the complete opposite of what CrossFit would want, right?
- Dairy consumption I'm mixed on. Humans are the only mammals to consume dairy from a cow after infancy. So, yes, I guess limiting would be a better alternative than straight up CUTTING it out.
So anyways, just some thoughts on the diet :D I know lots of people try this and see great results, but I just wonder, at what cost? Sometimes we get so caught up in what the outside looks like that we forget how much we are hurting the inside :(
Last night Buck and I ate some sushi and edamame. This is what resulted from that outing... goober.
Today I went over to the Herb Shop and got some blueberry green tea, its so yummy! So I'm out to drink this and do my homework... yuck. Stay dry and have a wonderful weekend! :D
Now now, this sounds a little Dr. Riggs-esque. I've been paleo-ish for close to a month now and I feel better than I have in years. The only other time I've felt this good was when I was in Iraq eating only plants, nuts, seeds, and the occasional Otis Spunkmeyer chocolate chocolate chip muffin (let's face it those things are heaven in your mouth). I ate like that for 7 months out of necessity because in the 120 degree heat if I ate any grains, processed carbs, or legumes I could hardly function. Let's also not forget that plants have carbs as well they just have a lower glycemic load than grains and processed carbs. As for the meat, most all paleo enthusiasts at least try to get free range or game meat when possible. For me it just boils down to you. It's undeniable that the state of nutrition in the US is deplorable and until more independent research is conducted we just have to rely on anecdotal evidence but I will say that I just had my predeployment physical after a month of paleo and drinking whole milk and my blood pressure is 114/67; resting heart rate is 37; and cholesterol and blood triglycerides were less than 100 and I do CrossFit twice a day and again I feel better than ever. I'm not at all bashing you or saying you flat out wrong just merely voicing my opinion and expierence.
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