Start Here Post

I realized recently that this site doesn't have a "start here" post. New visitors might be confused. So here it is, a succinct list of recommendations from me for newbies, which will be updated continuously. I have three options for each step. Scholar is for those seriously interested in all the nitty gritty of science. Seeker is for these just interested in learning enough to improve their health. Browser is for those casually exploring this site.

Step 1: Demolish the lipid hypothesis. Think low-fat is the pinnacle of healthiness? There is growing evidence that it's not. And that saturated fat and cholestrol are not bad for you.

• Browser: Listen to Chris Masterjohn explain the science behind cholesterol and saturated fat in the Healthy Skeptic Podcast. Get Gary Taubes' basic arguments in his NYtimes piece What If It's All Been A Big Fat Lie.* (note I do not agree with Taubes about carbs being "bad calories" my diet is about whole foods, not macronutrients). 
• Seeker: But that's a long book. Luckily he condensed it in his newest book: Why We Get Fat.
• Scholar: Definitely read Gary Taubes' book Good Calories, Bad Calories. This book really dissects the bad science and bad policy that led us to believe low-fat was good and high-fat was bad.

Step 2: Learn about human evolution. Was life for our paleolithic ancestors nasty brutish and short? Or did they enjoy health advantages that we can learn from?

• Browser: Check out the neat visual Paleo Diet Infographic! Mark Sisson explains why life in the paleolithic probably wasn't short. 
• Seeker: Check out this analysis from Beyondveg.
• Scholar: If you are up for some serious reading, check out Food and Western Disease, a scholarly tome by Staffan Lindberg. For a more complex view of anthropology, I HIGHLY recommend The Paleoanthropology and Archaeology of Big-Game Hunting: Protein, Fat, or Politics?

Step 3: Rethink how you eat. These evolutionary eating books provide scientific rational, interesting ideas, and even some recipes. I chose these because they do not conflict with step 1. There are dozens of "paleo" books out there, but unfortunately some are by misguided authors who still subscribe to the lipid hypothesis.

• Browser: I definitely recommend the Archevore plan by Kurt Harris (and read his paleo 2.0 essay, which is important because a lot of garbage is marketed as "paleo"), which is available free online. Balanced Bites publishes a quick and easy Practical Paleo Nutrition Guide. You also might want to check out a variety of other interesting evolutionary food blogs out there like Mark's Daily Apple, Whole Health Source, The Daily Lipid, and Free The Animal. Or Just Eat Real Food!
• Seeker: Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint is a fun book with great information about the "primal" lifestyle and how eating like our ancestors can make your life better.
• Scholar: The Paleo Solution and The Perfect Health Diet are a little advanced scientifically, but perfectly geared towards people looking to heal from serious health problems. I'd also recommend The Paleolithic Solution Podcast with biochemist Mat Lalonde.

Step 4: Learn how to buy and cook healthy real food! Cooking for yourself is the best way to avoid nasty vegetable oils and factory-farmed meat.

• Browser: Find out what's in season with The Local Foods Wheel! Find a local grass-fed farm near you at Eat Wild. Cook up some Primal Quick & Easy Meals, or some Everyday Paleo delights.
• Seeker: Learn how to buy and cook grass-fed meats with sklll and flair with The Grassfed Gourmet and The Butcher's Guide to Well-Raised Meat. 
• Scholar: Learn how to ferment your own pickles and kombucha with Wild Fermentation and Nourishing Traditions. Amp up your diet by cooking with fat, bones, and nose to tail. 

My Own Eating Plan

My own blog is targeted towards those who are already eating real food and looking to tweak their diets. That's why I don't put my posts first in the guide. Basically I believe that the best foods come from wild fish and grass-fed ruminants like goats, cows, and sheep. Combine these with roots, fruits, and leafy vegetables for simple healthy meals. Eat some fermented vegetables, grains, and dairy, as well as weekly pork and poultry. Avoid anything designed by food scientists; these are "products" not food! Avoid all vegetable oils like corn, canola, and soy, but don't shy away from tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, grass-fed ghee, or lard. I am not a "paleo" dieter at this point in my life. 

FAQ

What about The China Study?

Please see these great articles by Denise Minger and Chris Masterjohn.

Why did you stop being vegan? Isn't veganism more sustainable?

I would suggest checking out my interview here. I also strongly recommend Meat, a Benign Extravagance.