Robb finally has all the basic information on Paleo nutrition in one spot with his book that came out just a couple of weeks ago. I've been holding off writing about it until I could read it through and find out if I'd recommend you getting it. I've set up a link up here to Amazon.com. I think the way it works is that if you buy it through that link, I get a small kickback for promoting it. It's up to you where to get it, of course.
Buy the book or not? In the end you'll have to decide for yourself. Is the information available online? Yes, but it's spread around here and there. The book info is generally more complete than what I've found online, mainly because it's all in one place; essentially, it's one complete thought. In blog entries and podcasts I've sometimes found richer content on 'niche' subjects. Links to all that stuff was in the food email that I sent out. If you didn't get it or need it again, email me.
About two thirds of the book is on the why; evolutionary biology and physiology. Robb is smart and a funny guy - all this was a surprisingly good read. I kept laughing out loud:
Suggest that people should perhaps forgo bread and pasta for their health and they will bury a butter knife in your forehead before you can say, "whole wheat!"
If you don't want to read another book and just want to know what to do, here it is:
- Shop for proteins: grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish and Omega-3 eggs. If you can't get grass-fed, stick to lean meats (and ask me for the number for Rowan Tree Farm where you can get it.)
- Shop for carbohydrates: fresh veggies - get green and other colors. Fruit: If you are leaning out, keep this to a minimum, like one piece a day or less. If you are lean and very active, add tubers (yam, sweet potato, rutabaga) post workout.
- Shop for good fats: fat from grass-fed meats, avocado, coconut, coconut oil, olives, olive oil, walnuts, macadamia nuts.
- Shop for supplements: fish oil (EPA + DHA,) vitamin D3.
- Shop for herbs and spices.
- Heat some oil, cook a protein, add a carb, a fat if you need more, herbs and spices.
- Eat to satiety, about 3 meals a day.
- Take your fish oil and D3.
- Come to the gym 3 times a week, stay active during the week.
- Get 8-9 hours of sleep in a dark room every night.
- Manage stress (huge.)
- Do your mobility homework.
- Take 'naked' pics and measure your waist and hips for before and after.
- Clean your house. What goes? Grains, legumes (include peanuts and regular potatoes,) and dairy. Sweets, even artificial.
Why? We are trying to increase performance, look and feel better by reducing systemic inflammation. The way (Conspiracy Theory Alert) agribusiness and government have recommended for us to eat is making us ill. Life and death stuff. Our bodies have evolved to live and eat as hunter-gatherers.
If you need more explanation or don't yet get the feeling that Paleo is Life-Saving Stuff, buy the book.
Ciao,
Charles
