Going Paleo

"Paleo" is a term for a way of eating without any sugar, grains or dairy in your diet.  It is more of a lifestyle than it is a "diet".  It sounds very strict, and it is, but it has not been difficult for me to transition to.  It has been more difficult for the girls.  I am just going 50/50 for their diet right now.  We'll see how that goes.

The term "paleo" comes from "paleolithic", as in cave man.  Their theory is our pre-historic ancestors, prior to the agricultural revolution, ate meat, vegetables and some fruits and were healthier than those post-ag revolution.  They say our digestive systems have not evolved to be able to handle grains, dairy and sugars.  I have difficulty with the whole evolutionary thing, as I am a creationist and this conflicts with that.  But the science and physiology behind the diet makes perfect sense to me.  Sugar, grains and dairy have been shown to cause inflammation.  Inflammation causes most diseases that are so prevalent today (diabetes, heart disease, thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, asthma).  It seems pretty obvious to me that if I can reduce or eliminate inflammation, I will be healthier as I age.  Just because it makes sense to me doesn't mean it is correct, I'm just a band teacher, not a doctor.  But I am middle aged and beginning to face some of these diseases.  I know if I continued on the road I was on they were in my future.  I know from my own experience how much better I feel since I cut them out of my diet.  Only time will tell if this paleo thing is on to something.  But I feel better, and that is good enough for me right now.

I had blood work done 6 weeks after changing my diet.  I was a little disappointed there were not bigger improvements in my cholesterol, but everything was good overall.  Triglycerides were down, yea!  My weight is down, yea!  I suppose if I gave up coffee my blood pressure would go down, but that's not going to happen.  Period.  I didn't give up coffee when I was pregnant.  Don't look at me like that!  I don't drink (much), or smoke, I don't mess around (remember that song in Grease?).  Forgive me this one vice!  Anyway, they say now coffee helps prevent cancer...

Well, that explains Paleo in my terms.  I recommend it to one and all.  Just try it for 30 days.  If you don't feel better, get out that loaf of bread and enjoy it!