as a type 1 diabetic since 2 and a half years I have tried various diets to avoid bloodsugar spikes and injecting much insulin. I have tried the paleo diet, finding the stories of others as well as s=the scientific data compelling.

It didnt work too well for me. It kinda worked, I just figured I should try harder, that I was still eating the wrong stuff. I ate grassfed beef, chicken, fish, lots of veggies, coconut milk, some nuts. No dairy, no fruit, no grains, I avoided carbs.

My belly got swollen, puffed up, it was very uncomfortable.
Recently I have switched to an ayurvedic ‘kapha balancing’ diet under guidance of an ayurvedic doctor. He said my digestive fire was very low, and was very surprised of me eating no grains at all. I asked whether vegetables couldnt provide the fibre I needed, he said no.

I was a bit scared of carbs, but tried his advice, and it seems to be working for me. My bloodsugarlevels are more stable than ever, and my bloating is gone.

I don’t know what to make of this. Since it works, I guess I am fine eating basmati rice, wheat chapatis, and buckwheat porridge, but this 6000 year wisdom seem to counter the scientific findings of robb wolf, dr cordain, etc.

Yet, I find it confusing that many ancient societies have thrived eating native unrefined grains.

If there’s any light you can shed on this I’d be glad to hear it

I really don’t think something like the paleo diet is good for everyone(well, I don’t think any one diet is good for -everyone- really). I get several of the symptoms you list as being possible for gluten/grain intolerance if I eat meat(or a large amount of protein in general). For me, a plant based diet is definitely when I feel best and healthiest.

Also, if someone has those vague autoimmune symptoms they should really see a doctor to make sure it isn’t an autoimmune disease and not just abstain from grains.

http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/08/06/final-china-study-response-html/

Don’t conflate carb amount and type. The Okinawa and Kitavan population studies (as well as some other ancestral diets based on tubers) are higher in carbs — but the carbs are from fruit and tubers, NOT grains. Okinawans, in fact, are culturally and nutritionally distinct from Japanese, and Okinawans base much more of their carb intake on starchy tubers.

But then I started looking into information about lectins, and now I think, “Oh God, there can’t be another thing I shouldn’t eat, can there?!”

The lectin issue took me to a paleo diet website, and I see that has been mentioned in your comments as well.

The thing that confuses me about all this paleo eating is that there has been so much information that has come out lately with pretty convincing evidence that eating a plant based diet is by far the best way to eat. The China Study came out which was a long term nutrition study, and most convincing to me, in EVERY single place where people live the longest with the longest healthy, functional years, those people eat plant based diets.

So… I’m confused about why so many people on this site seem to be into the Paleo diet? I was into the Nourishing Traditions cookbook, and I’m open to eating healthy, whatever that means, but the evidence clearly points to a plant based diet being the healthiest. 70-80% of their diet is carbohydrates.

Is there EVIDENCE that a Paleo diet is healthier than a plant based diet?

(And I will take evidence over even great sounding theories, because I have read soooo many different types of nutrition books and they can mostly all make a great theoretical case for their point of view.)

Arg! I just wish it was more clear cut so I could eat my “healthy” diet in peace, secure that it IS a healthy diet.

Studies I find compelling:
http://okicent.org/study.html (finds many things in addition to nutrition that are factors in longevity, but still, these longest lived folks eat 80% carbs!)

http://www.thechinastudy.com/

http://www.bluezones.com/about

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If you have read any of these, I’m interested to hear what you think. I know diet can be as heated a topic as religion- what we eat is near and dear to our hearts, but I really just want to eat what is healthiest.

Second, do legumes bother your IBS? If not, consider incorporating them. Soak overnight and cook in multiple changes of water to minimize the substances that can cause problems.

Third, I suggest you investigate a few sources of prebiotic fibre. Combined with a good probiotic, these can really help intestinal health. Look into glucomannan (often sold as a weight-loss aid, but it’s just fibre), inulin (often sold as Benefibre), and/or pectin (get sugar-free).

Love your blog!! I have a few questions. I’ve just started a pretty intense workout schedule and diet plan that consists of a lot of lean protein, fruits and veggies. I have a piece of toast in the morning but that’s it for grains during the day. I suffer from IBS and a few days into the diet plan my IBS stopped me cold. I am very bloated and constipated. As you explained above, “not feeling right”. I was afraid that it was having a lot of protein in my diet and little fiber that has caused this sudden change. How can I incorporate more fiber in my diet without eating grains and keep the bloating, gas and constipation at bay? Thank you for any help that you can throw my way.

In terms of meal planning, build 3-5 “go-to” meals and snacks that you like and can easily prepare. Practice your go-tos for a while, then start building out from there. I have a base of about 5-7 meals I prep frequently (e.g. scrambled eggs w/ veggies, protein shake with fruit, salad with veggies, roast something-or-other, etc.). If you have a solid foundation of familiar meals that you feel confident about prepping, you can simply start by making those habitual, and prepping extra in advance. Over time, add one meal, based on things like what you like, what works for you, what’s in season, your favourite cuisine, etc. You’ll eventually build a roster that works for you.

Also must say that cutting out grains (and most other crap) from my diet has significantly improved the past 27 years of pretty much constant stomach irritation and debilitating menstrual cramps. Yay!