It's been a long time since I read this book as a an economics/anthropology student, but it had a big impact on me. The essays...
Newest Reads
Melissa McEwen
This blog is about the intersection between evolutionary biology and food. But also about practical applications, sustainable agriculture, and general tasty things.
Connect
Comments
Great Paleo Controversies
While paleo dieters generally agree on many things, we are not immune from infighting. Unforunately I haven't been involved in too many fights, but I can recap some of them here for your general amusement:
The Great Potato War of 2009
Richard Nikoley started posting about how potatoes weren't so bad and proudly displayed some of his favorite potato-licious meals. Don Wiss of paleodiet.com took offense and angrily removed his links to Richard's site. Richard was not swayed and posted more delicious pictures of baked potatoes, as well as a rebuttal.
Reinactment:
Outcome: The potato-haters have been surprisingly quiet of late, especially since Stephen Guyenet posted a series on how delicious and awesome they are. Potatoes remain generally considered unpaleo, but people don't need to freak out about them.
My Take: I think this caused people to think about what foods are paleo. Do we classify them based on taxonomy and history? Or on how our bodies react biochemically?
Powdergate
The latest paleo controversy involves Mark Sisson's newest product, a meal-replacement powder made of whey, coconut, and prebiotics. Even though he already sells an assortment of various powders, the annoucement was met with acrimony. Some complained about the price, others about the ingredients. Leigh Peel wrote a bitter post about how terrible and overpriced was, which ironically you have to pay to read. But don't worry, her blog has a nice free cookie recipes featuring Smart Balance and good old fashioned white sugar. Always eager to enter the fray, Richard at Free the Animal defended Mark and told people to take a freaking chill pill. Mark calmly clarified information about his product.
Reinactment:
Outcome: Mark kept his composure, making his critics look a bit dramatic to say the least. But will his product be a hit?
My Take: I personally would turn into a raging monster if I ate a meal that was so few calories and I question the value of powdered food in general. I guess this product alienated a few groups of people, mine being the locavore "real food" faction of paleo. I hate the idea of my food dollars going to labs rather than farmers. It reminds me of the Joan Gussow quote: "I trust cows more than chemists."
Are there more paleo controversies I'm missing here? Everyone likes a good fight :)
- Melissa's blog
- Login to post comments
Post to Twitter
Comments
My favorite paleo controversy
My favorite paleo controversy from a while back is Matt Stone vs. Everyone.
How about the great cheese
How about the great cheese debate? Is it dairy? Is a little bit OK? Did primal dude find fermented milk stuff in the wild occasionally? Can some people eat it based on genetic history?
When Nikoley recently called
When Nikoley recently called out De Vany on being grumpy. That was a pretty direct and critical post.
The debate about powders and
The debate about powders and bars reminds me of the immortal words of Charelton Heston as Ty Thorn (or was it Phil Hartman on SNL?): "Soylent Green is people!! It's Peeeeeeooopllllllle!!!"
I am sometimes surprised with
I am sometimes surprised with the rigidity of some people in regards to some "rules". I am more understanding if it's about something bigger like if dairy is ok or not. But when it's really more of nit picking and chest pounding dance than enlightening conversations, then it's really not interesting.
I didn't read much from Mark's drama, I didn't like the price, didn't even read much... just left it. I decided it's not for me, so I closed the tab. Didn't feel any need to comment, scream, attack or cry. I've read his response, which was very respectful and caused a lot of, deserved, praise. I still won't buy it, but can't see why people get so excited. If you don't like it, don't buy it, that's all.
I thought the mother of all
I thought the mother of all in-group disputes within the Paleo community was Dr. Cordain vs. the paleo world on saturated fats. I'm glad he is coming around on that one though, or rather, the consensus on this topic is converging, meaning a more probable truth is being discovered to extricate saturated fats of its harmfulness.
Its always the fate of small
Its always the fate of small cultures based around specific principles to dramatically split hairs. Its the same with politics. The most heated debates I've had are with people in which I have philosophically the most in common with.
It's not a 'argument' really
It's not a 'argument' really more of a variation in interpretation.
Don at Primal Wisdom posted his article:
http://donmatesz.blogspot.com/2010/03/paleo-diet-basics-why-i-eat-walnut...
Saying that foods with high omega 6 but otherwise nutritious are ok to eat in large amounts.
Whereas a lot of the paleo community believe that n6 should be less than 4% of calories, whatever the source.
I really want Don to be right so I can make avocados a regular feature in my diet again..
Fructose is evil vs. Fruits
Fructose is evil vs.
Fruits are ok in moderation (in season) vs.
Don't be silly, fruit is not the same thing as isolated fructose
There seems to be controversy
There seems to be controversy about what to do post workout; do we eat protein and carbs within an hour(Robb Wolf) or do we fast (Art DeVany). I commented about this on his latest article "Exercise and Eating After" and he didn't even publish the comment. I was just looking for clarification.
Bryan, FYI, I'm a long time
Bryan,
FYI, I'm a long time member of Art's site and he didn't post a recent (non-controversial) comment of mine last week, so maybe he's being picky with what he's letting through these days.
This is a trade off!! Who are
This is a trade off!! Who are you, what are your goals?
I wrote a number of PWO blogs on this, several of the podcasts talk about the trade off.
That's exactly what I was
That's exactly what I was thinking but Art doesn't seem to make that distinction on his site. I didn't think you would personally respond to this, Thanks! I love your podcast and the book.
There is nothing like a
There is nothing like a little internecine warfare to strengthen a movement. I myself am "orthodox" paleo; not primal, not lacto-paleo, or any other flavor of paleo. But I don't begrudge anyone else their individual choices. And if I did, how would I know that I'm right and everyone else is wrong? I'm just not that self-rightous, I guess.
It's the central idea that's important, and all paleos seem to agree that our modern dietary choices should be informed by the diet that shaped our genome over many countless generations.
Ahhhhh, dogma.
Ha - I followed the whole
Ha - I followed the whole thing about Mark's Primal Fuel, and even got into it a little bit on his original post (people are crazy). I'd heard about Leigh Peele's post, but this was the first time I've read it. That's insane. "Multiple statues have been erected in their honor"! Classic.
Yeah, when I think of Leigh
Yeah, when I think of Leigh Peel, I think of Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln. Such are her critical gifts to mankind.
She is a leader! lol
She is a leader! lol
I'm definitely going to take
I'm definitely going to take a closer look at regular potatoes (I eat plenty of sweet 'potatoes) after dropping them completely.
I actually want to gain a bit of body fat.
hilarious in-group
hilarious in-group controversies! lol.