MMA Diet: Paleo

Critics of the diet - a group that includes legitimate nutrition specialists and researchers - are quick to point out that the Paleo diet is only the “presumed” diet from the Paleolithic era of about 10,000 years ago. They’ve got a point. As much as we may think we know about what in the world people were consistently eating 10,000 years ago, there’s still going to be variables we will never know. Paleo advocates point out that our genetics haven’t changed much from 10,000 years ago and because the Paleolithic era is reported to have been some 2.5 million years long, it’s safe to say we can learn something positive from those who came before us. They’ve got a point, too. The critics say people didn’t have specific diseases back then probably because they were more active and took in fewer calories - this is likely true as well. Research suggests that the fewer calories we take in the longer we live (even if those calories come from healthy, natural foods). The advocates fire back with their own research about the negatives of too many refined carbs and processed oils (they too have a point).

There’s even a back-and-forth battle about the evolutionary changes that occurred during the Paleolithic era, and even with what years should be considered “Paleo.” There’s also an interesting financial debate going on. Dr. Joanne Slavin at the University of Minnesota (she actually helped create the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans) said that grains are relatively inexpensive compared to meat sources, and that if someone wanted to go Paleo they’d need to shell out more cash in order to do so. Again, she makes a great point. Everybody is making great points. That’s what often makes my job difficult.

Lastly, because the Paleo diet has a rather heavy reliance on meat - and meat is considered a commodity that is quickly deteriorating our environment, possibly increasing the risk for certain diseases, and is no longer widely produced in the organic way that Paleo advocates call for, there’s been even more fierce debates. While all of this is surely helping nutritionists get their PhD’s and is certainly interesting, in my opinion, it doesn’t much matter. Whatever Paleo’s roots, whether its evolutionary grounding is accurate or not - little of it matters. The Paleo diet can be good a thing for many reasons. Some fringe radicals within the group are a bit too radical, but, like even the best things in life, the Paleo diet is not flawless. Keep in mind: There are various levels and methodologies of being “Paleo.” The more radical they are, the sillier they are. Some completely cut out salt except for the trace amounts found in food. Some completely cut out beans and healthy oils. Some completely go raw because they believe those in the Paleolithic era (and even us today) are not adapted to eat cooked foods. Like other parts of the MMA Diet Series, the advice here is to incorporate elements but not to get all radical. Just as Bruce Lee tried every martial art he could find so he could keep what worked and discard what did not, so we can do with our diets.

Paleo Strengths

- Just as CrossFit has become a community-based exercise routine and holistic lifestyle, so has the Paleo diet. They’ve got a growing community base, a bunch of forums where users can learn and stay motivated to not only follow the diet, but to lead healthier lives. This is a great thing, a reason I believe it will endure for some time.

- Paleo advocates know the importance of quality meat, and by this I don’t simply mean, “lean cuts of meat.” This isn’t some meat-eating-at-all-costs type of group. Most Paleo professionals I’ve talked to suggest that the way meat is currently processed is disgusting and unhealthy. While meat is a staple of their diet, they are all for organic, grass-fed, free-range, etc.

- They cut out refined sugars and processed oils. Blood sugar spikes, diabetes, obesity and a host of other cardiovascular issues are directly related to the absurd amount of refined sugars and processed oils that Americans take in.

- At its core it recommends a diet that centers on healthy choices of meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts and roots. It primarily wants its users to drink water - no refined juices, no alcohol. This is all great. Our entire country would be healthier if we followed these Paleo recommendations.

Paleo Weaknesses

- The biggest weakness of the Paleo diet is that there are too many high-profile names touting it and they vary widely on the diet’s many foundational elements. Should incredibly healthy oils like extra-virgin olive oil and coconut oil be included, or should we stick to our belief? Should we cook foods, and if so, how much? Is it okay to sprinkle sea salt on our meals from time-to-time? What kinds of meats are acceptable? Anything? Or should we take a stand and demand only the grass-fed free-range kind?

- Low salt. As mentioned in previous articles, MMA athletes sweat constantly, and a diet too low in salt can cause a host of muscular and neurological problems.

- Cost. It does cost more for healthy cuts of meat that come from properly raised animals. While at an ethical level it’s worth the extra cost because each purchase of this kind of meat is a political statement that can lead to change that we as individuals make by voting with our wallets, it simply isn’t practical for most of us. It’s tough to rationalize paying double for a dozen eggs when we can barely make our mortgage payment.

Sometimes the cliché “take it or leave it” holds true. Sometimes. My advice with the Paleo diet is to both take it and leave it. Take from it the health benefits I mention above, leave the weaknesses behind.

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