The Paleolithic diet (also referred to as caveman/primal/hunter gatherer) is rooted in evolutionary science. In the beginning, this presented a major problem for me. I do not believe in evolution. I am a Jesus loving Christian. I believe in my Creator - the Creator of the universe! But, as I mentioned in my first post, it is very clear to me that God answered my cry for help with this eating style. So, I was confused and I did what I do when I get confused or conflicted - I went to His Word. Here are just a few of the countless verses that helped reconcile my thoughts:
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent forth His Word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave." Psalm 107:19-20
"The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing." Psalm 145: 15-16
"The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well watered garden like an overflowing spring." Isaiah 58:11
I could go on and on with verses, but please know that after spending time in the Word, my heart was content. You know that peace that surpasses all understanding you feel when you are living in accordance to His will? That is exactly what I feel every single time I make a choice to eat the Paleo way. So, for me, I have let go of the perception that this is rooted in evolution. Instead, I choose to believe that it is rooted in our Father's divine plan for our bodies from the very beginning. He created us to be healthy. He created the vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and meats to nourish us and keep us strong. I have met several Paleo living, evolutionary believing people in the last couple of months. Although our spiritual foundations are vehemently opposed, our commitment to healing ourselves from the diseases of modern times run parallel paths. We are all in search of renewed health and no one will disagree that eating the way our forefathers did is far healthier than the way we are eating now.
In its most basic definition, Paleo means no grains, no dairy, no legumes, no refined sugar. Simply put, the Paleo diet emulates the foods available to our pre agriculture ancestors: meat, fish, fowl, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, roots, and tubers. I believe that the omission of grains from my diet has had the biggest impact. Grains have always been an inferior source of nutrition, but over the years they have been genetically modified and are now even dangerous to our health. Big bucks agribusiness has genetically modified our grains so dramatically that the gluten content is very high. This fact has caused an over 400% increase in Celiac disease in just the last fifty years. The problem is literally at epidemic proportions. The complications of gluten intolerance are many, including vitamin and mineral deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal, brain, and cardiovascular complications and autoimmune diseases. Having MS, I know that eliminating all grains from my diet has played the biggest part in reducing inflammation and setting me on a course of improved health.
According to Dr. Peter Osborne, "There are actually 140 autoimmune diseases that we’ve identified, and the only scientifically agreed upon cause for autoimmune is gluten sensitivity. Now there are other triggers for autoimmune disease. An infection can trigger an autoimmune disease. A vitamin deficiency can trigger an autoimmune disease, particularly vitamin D. But gluten tends to be kind of that central core hub that’s always present."
The research doesn't lie. I only wish I had been aware sooner. Better late than never, I guess. So, what I needed to do with this newfound information just sort of seemed like a no brainer. If gluten is at the core of all autoimmune diseases and I have an autoimmune disease, then glutens gotta go!! So, if you are going to start making these changes slowly, my advice to you is #1. gluten/grain gone!!
In the last seven months I have had my share of people ask, "So you mean you can't eat Cheerios for breakfast?" or "Wait, so how do you eat a sandwich?" or knowing that I am full blooded Italian, they can not believe that pizza and pasta are gone for good!! I am here to tell you that, in the beginning, it was not easy. I went through a serious detox period. Week one was a breeze. I was on a high from the feeling of taking control. Week two, I cratered. I wanted my Coca-Cola. I wanted my mint chocolate chip ice cream. I NEEDED my Oreos!!!! But there are many resources for support and encouragement. I continued to read and pushed through the fog. Week three is when the turn around started happening for me. Yours might come sooner or later. It is kind of contingent on how "toxic" you are. I was pretty darn toxic! Now the thought of eating the foods I used to crave kind of makes me queasy. I don't miss them at all. Honestly, not at all. My taste buds have changed. Last night I ate some trout and wilted spinach. It was amazing.
So, I leave you with my best wishes and hopes for healthy choices. And a recipe!! My Non Paleo husband loves these!
I'll be back soon and I'd like to chat about supplements.
Paleo Pancakes
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