Many Paleo Recipes Are Nutritional Disasters

    The Paleo Diet, as its cofounder Loren Cordain defined it, is being debased by marketers.  It really disturbs me when I see so many people struggle to adapt to  The Real Diet of Man only to be led astray by the many marketers of Paleo recipes.  These recipes usually replicate traditional common dishes with different ingredients.  Yet when one analyzes the ingredients, the "new" dishes are still nutritional disasters.

    My first pet peeve is with the meat selections in all too many of these diets.  Many of the authors of these diets do not emphasize only 100% grass-fed meats.  That alone is ridiculous.  Many suggest "lean meats" in general.  That is wrong no matter what.  Lean grain-fed meats are nutritionally deficient and they still have high Omega-6 loads versus small quantifies of Omega-3.  They are the problem, not the solution.  On the other hand, when it comes to 100% grass-fed meats, we WANT fatty meats.  The fats have the most favorable Essential Fatty Acid (EFAs) ratios!

    This is why we sell so many knuckle and straight marrow bones.  People are focused on the fat inside these bones.  We also sell fat (external fat) and suet (internal body fat).  Many of our customers want these fats for soups and broths plus to render down for cooking fats.  If we want optimal nutrition, lean is not preferred.  The problem we have is that too often our 100% grass-fed meats are too lean.

    My exasperation with some of the Paleo diet suggestions does not end with the meat choices.  Look at these ingredients I found with a brief search of just a few recipes.

almond meal/flour - huge Omega-6 source, low in nutrition

eggs - no mention of the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratios

honey - worse than sugar, high glycemic

coconut sugar - similar to sugar, high glycemic

tapioca flour/powder - huge Omega-6 source, low in nutrition

coconut flour - Omega-6 source very low in nutrition

pecans - huge Omega-6 source, low in nutrition

almond butter - huge Omega-6 source, low in nutrition

maple syrup - worse than sugar, high glycemic

skinless chicken breasts - no mention of the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratios

coconut oil - Omega-6 source very low in nutrition

coconut milk - Omega-6 source very low in nutrition

avocado - not a good EFA source

sunflower seed butter - huge Omega-6 source, low in nutrition

shredded coconut - Omega-6 source very low in nutrition

mini chocolate chips - just more sugar

dried dates - very high glycemic and low in nutrition
lean meats - this term has no meaning in nutrition circles

    To avoid being deceived I encourage everyone to download the Food Analysis tables.  With that information you'll know the key points in proper food selection.  The foods required for optimizing body and brain function must cover all three of the critically important "a, b, c" parameters or else don't eat them.

    a)  Each food item consumed must provide 90% or more of the nutrients required for optimal body function.  100% is best.  (Why eat foods that are empty?)

    b)  Each food item consumed must not contribute to the Omega-3 deficit.  (This is critical for a strong immune system.)

    c)  Each food item consumed must be low glycemic.  (High glycemic foods are foreign to body function and cause fungal issues that negatively impact the body.)

    The most basic, most fundamental thing everyone must know is that the green plant must be at the bottom of their food chain.  Nuts, seeds, grain, fruit, and even some vegetables do not belong in The Real Diet of Man.

    If our goal is optimal health, we must not be lead astray by the traditions of the thundering herd.  The thundering herd is plagued with chronic diseases and nearly every chronic health problem they have is due to the foods they eat.  I do not want to join their plight.

    If you want more low down on the advantages of grass-fed meats read Grass-Fed Beef In A Nutshell.