Dear Paleo Police

February 4, 2013 by Toad 34 Comments

Dear Paleo Police,

Please stop your attempt to tell someone how they can or can not eat. There is no right or wrong way to eat “Paleo.”

I never stated that I eat 100% Paleo (whatever that means) and never will. I don’t believe in ditching all grains, all legumes and all dairy for life.

I don’t believe in perfection. What is perfect? Either nothing is or everything is. The world we live in is amazing. Just step outside and take a walk. Use your 5 senses. (Thanks to Mark Sisson for discussing this in his new book The Primal Connection).

Stating that all neolithic foods are horrible and all paleolithic foods are great is illogical. It’s stupid and wrong. I’ve learned that MY body is terrible at digesting nuts and seeds but is genius at digesting oatmeal. Nuts and seeds are known as a “Paleo” approved food while oatmeal is not. What gives?

If you want to improve the health of society then you must remain open-minded. You must know what your beliefs are but you must be open to change your beliefs. It was my willingness to believe that saturated fat was healthy that got me into “Paleo.”

Paleo is a GREAT eating template if…

Paleo is a great eating template if it states to ditch all grains, legumes and dairy from factory-farmed cows while clearly stating that doing it for life may NOT be the best solution in the long-term.

Paleo is a great eating template if seeking out quality is emphasized.

Paleo is a great eating template if it emphasizes that all individuals are unique and that millions of human beings may thrive – yes, THRIVE – by eating sourdough bread and drinking raw, grass-fed milk on a frequent basis. Those same humans may NOT thrive on some veggies like broccoli or other foods like raw almonds with the skin.

Paleo is a great eating template if it emphasizes self-experimentation and states that there are NO true rules – only made up ones that vary from person to person.

Paleo is a great eating template if, and only if above all else, it encourages one to LIVE LIFE and to NOT worry about stupid little details unless it’s 100% necessary or if you are not chronically stressing about it. If you have Celiac Disease then avoid gluten at all costs. If you think you have 5 pounds to lose to be at your ideal weight,yet can’t manage to lose those 5 pounds and are stressing about it daily, then GET OVER IT. You may be at your “ideal” weight which fluctuates over time anyways!

You are a human being and that in and of itself is a freaking miracle. Your life is amazing. Savor it.

What if 2013 was the last year of all life as we know it? Would you shout at human beings stating how they should eat or would you let them live these final days as they wish? Would you eat strictly Paleo or would you experiment more and find out if oatmeal nourishes you in that moment of time while nuts may not?

Cheers to a GREAT life,

Toad

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This post was originally posted on my facebook wall. With it receiving 541 likes, 28 shares and 113 comments, I knew that I had to expand on it just a little. And so I have. There are some GREAT comments on the facebook post so please check those out (click here to see the original post on facebook). I’m sure that many of you will feel like a Wooly Mammoth was lifted off your back. I definitely felt this after I decided to let go and live life.

I would love to read your thoughts so please leave a comment below with whatever is on your mind. I’m here to help if I can no matter where you come from and what your current beliefs are.

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Filed Under: Paleo

About Toad

Is my name Todd or Toad? I'm a world traveler seeking true wellness. I'm not a fan of labels but the following describe me best: minimalist, foodie, entrepreneur, adventurer, writer, cook.

http://twitter.com/eatsandmoves pbo

Hey Todd,

I agree with you but, unfortunately, it’s a problem that I don’t see going away.because of the way we use the word itself: “paleo”.

It’s just set up for failure. Eating paleo by definition is impossible if you don’t live in the paleolithic times. Our food, culture, environment is drastically different. We can use it as a template, we can base our current diet on it, and extend to what is available to us know, and what in our current times is also healthy and safe for us. That’s it. It should NOT be a dogmatic religion. It’s a tool.

That’s why i try not to use the term. I just eat as much real food as possible that agrees with me and helps to fuel my day. With energy to work, play, exercise, and spend quality time with friends and family. Using paleo as way to get back to the basics is great, but we don’t need to label ourselves.

Great post.
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Great points and you get it. It’s why I have decide to literally move on. I will still be connected with great folks from the community as many of them are my friends. But a new blog will be released soon.
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Do you mean that it should NOT be dogmatic religion? You are right in that we do NOT need to label ourselves. This is what can lead to significant stress.
http://www.changeofpaceforme.com/ Kristen

I do agree with everything you’ve said in the post… however, it is frustrating to me when people call things paleo that just aren’t. Beans, peanuts, corn, oatmeal.. Maybe I’m just OCD but it drives me crazy. Mostly because I feel like they haven’t even researched the lifestyle and are using it just for a label. Plus other people might be misinformed. I don’t know… Maybe I’m part of that police force in a way
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  And this is what you get with labels. They have their place such as if you are married or not. But for what you eat? I’m done with it. I’m a foodie which is sooooo simple… I love food!
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Well many of the veggies we eat are not paleo. Grass-fed beef is not paleo. When you really think about it, it’s impossible to eat only “Paleo” foods. To me, it’s all perception. I am not saying that oatmeal is Paleo but I am saying… “who gives a shit?” This is why I thought about ditching Paleo all of last year. But I don’t because it has taught me so much about food and nutrition as this post stated.
  
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Rachael

Great post! I can agree with the commenters above me as well. It’s hard to call myself “paleo” because I still eat some grains (sprouted whole-grain bread and oatmeal). I see myself as “paleo” for the most part but since I include a little bread each day, I’m not sure whether I can keep the “label” or not. So then it comes down to that–do we need the labeling?

I love where this post could go–should we try to stop labeling ourselves? Is a whole-food approach more realistic with “paleo” as the guideline?

After experimenting with raw food, raw veganism, Mcdougall, and on and on this post is refreshing. And as I myself have been dealing with an eating disorder it’s good to see a post about letting go of some of the rules so that we can mentally feel stronger and not so trapped in “I can ONLY eat this” and “I can NEVER eat that.” Those “rules” can just make us binge later on foods we label as “forbidden” (or at least that’s what happened to me).
Thank you for your thoughts here, this was a good read and I agree with a lot of it!
- http://twitter.com/eatsandmoves pbo
  
  I agree. I find it healthier and more importantly simpler to just focus on nourishing foods rather than on restricting foods Some days that might just look paleo, others perhaps not.
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  You both get it. Congrats. Your thinking alies with mine.
  
  I hope to explore this a lot on my new blog: “I love where this post could go–should we try to stop labeling ourselves? Is a whole-food approach more realistic with “paleo” as the guideline?”
  - http://www.facebook.com/JenniferFHoffman Jennifer Hoffman
    
    Definitely stop a labeling thing. Keep it simple no matter what. For health I’ve cut out x, y, and z but maybe not q or r… I think labeling for any reason can be unhealthy and then people stress over it – that’s not good. Use the common sense… Paleo or primal is a guideline and something we can all try and then add back or take out what still does not fit for our own personal bodies. Some people have a hard time with bread or dairy… others it might be oatmeal And no matter what, you’ll find out who really supports you and your thoughts… Kind of liking finding out who your “real friends are” when times are “tough”. You got my support
    - http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
      
      You said it very well Jennifer so thanks for commenting! I am all about simplicity and my new blog will be discussing the art of simplicity a lot. I feel strongly about it after diving into “minimalism” nearly 2 years ago. Yes, sometimes we just need to let go. I can’t please everyone – if I tried then I’d please no one! This may be a cliche but it’s so damn true.
      
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      Q: Why is this email five sentences or less?
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- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  You get it Rachael. Kudos to you. You really really get it. I think I may write something on labeling ourselves because in the end, it’s more frustrating than anything – at least for me in my experience and what I can see from others.
  
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  Q: Why is this email five sentences or less?
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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1138479844 Hadass Eviatar

I’ll call you Toad if you live in a mansion and have a passion for motor cars . Seriously, I’ll call you whatever you want and I love your posts, especially this one.
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Ha! And thanks. I’m still Toad but I am now starting a new blog. I have been thinking about it for over a year now and it feels more right to do so now more than ever. It’s a simple change but one that is needed.
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Haha too funny. And thank you
  
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Hannah

“There is no perfect diet for everyone, the perfect diet will reveal itself when we know how to listen and honor what our body is saying.”

I heard this quote once and have lived by it for years. For me, I eat 100% Paleo, but I respect others who eat different if they are honoring what their body is telling them.
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Kudos to you! Everyone can learn this valuable lesson that you have just stated.
Diana S.

Thank you so much for this post. Perfect timing. The whole “paleo” food thing was starting to take over my life. I needed to be reminded to stop stressing about a label, and about what I eat, as long as it is doing my body good and fueling my life and exercise. I’ll be watching for your new blog.
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  And your comment came at the right time Diana so thanks for leaving it. I see this with many others too – it literally takes over their life as it did mine and this does more harm than good. Life is about balance and while it’s difficult to find it, taking a step back and slowing down makes it a whole lot easier. It’s an endless battle till the end but worth it
  
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http://twitter.com/AmandabWhite Amanda White

This is just one of the reasons I like the term Primal over Paleo. I will generally stress to people that I’m not Paleo, simply because that term could cause a witch hunt if fanatics found out what I eat (cheese, peanut butter).
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Haha too funny. And it’s why I have finally decided to start a new blog – WellnessToad.com will be launched soon. Peanut butter… yum!! My favorite nut butter even though it’s not a nut. Well macadamia is my favorite but so damn expensive!
  
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  Q: Why is this email five sentences or less?
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- mark2741
  
  You realize that peanut butter isn’t Primal, right? : )
Tia

I love this… thank you for posting it!! I just started primal a week or so ago, and I tend to be a stickler about rules (no more than 100 carbs to be doing it right)…your post and the language you used to write it, really brought me back down to earth. So thank you. Couldn’t be more correct.
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Thanks for commenting Tia. It’s this type of feedback that I have received over the past 3 years that has kept me going. It all counts and it all makes a difference. I am glad I was able to allow you to take a step back so to speak
  
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Mark Siegrist

I think I agree with you, but maybe not. Here’s why:

I think there is no gray area here. IMO, Paleo is what it is. You either eat that way or you don’t. This is why I avoid saying I eat Paleo, because as time has gone on I’ve done a lot of experimentation on myself and I’m not convinced one way or the other what is bad or what isn’t. I just know what works for me. I eat some dairy, I even ate some grains today (though I typically never do).

BUT – Paleo IS Paleo. If you eat grains and dairy, you ain’t eating Paleo, and you shouldn’t say you are. And there’s no reason to feel bad about that. In fact, I contend that the label Paleo will eventually, as every other single diet label has over the years, become ‘stale’ (no pun intended) and be ‘uncool’, and people will come up with another label for it. Let’s be honest: what draws many people to vegetarianism/veganism is often less a matter of ethics/dietary needs than a desire to be in some club/group. Paleo is no different. Crossfit is the same way now (and surprise! They’re often related!). Primal – no different! Just another label. Why do we need a label? Doesn’t simply saying, “I avoid eating a, b, and c for the most part” suffice? It suffices just fine for you and I, but that won’t work for the Mark Sisson’s, Rob Wolff’s, and Wheat Belly guy’s because they have to market and earn a living from this. I don’t.

You either eat Paleo or you don’t. You either eat Primal or you don’t. You either live Primal or you don’t. Mark Sisson gets to decide what Primal is – it’s his marketing department’s concern.

I wouldn’t be surprised if, in 5 years, Loren Cordain or Rob Rolff or whoever comes up with a new label that is basically the same way of eating….
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  I don’t think there will be another label and sure grains are not Paleo but what about things like butter? Or raw grass-fed milk? Who’s to say it’s not when so many say it is?
  
  In the end you are right – labels suck and it’s why i am starting a new blog – WellnessToad.com.
  
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  Q: Why is this email five sentences or less?
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Ranthia

I so agree. I thought the vegans were the only ones who made their way of eating their spirituality – I was wrong. It can happen to anyone trying to be perfect.
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Indeed. It’s unfortunate and it will be interesting to see where Paleo goes. I now naturally order a burger without the bun, am not at all afraid of saturated fat, seek out local food that serves fresh fish or grass-fed beef, play more than ever, relax, etc. But I refuse to call myself “Paleo.” I’m Toad. That’s all.
  
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Shonnie

Great Post!
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Thanks Shonnie
  
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cyster

A friend just sent me this link. Yes, to what you said. Me, I do well with rice and sourdough bread. No two bodies are are alike. You have to find your WOE (way of eating) What I tell people who are trying to figure it out is to start a journal. Write what you eat, when and how you feel throughout the day. Eventually you will start to see a pattern. What foods are good or bad for you. If something is questionable do the old stop it for a couple of weeks and then add it back and see what happens. I like the Zone’s thought. About 33% or each, protein, fat and carb. Then you go from there to figure out what your percentage is. Listen to your body. Wonderful post. I will friend you and share. Thanks!
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Thanks for reading! WOE – I really really love this. You “get it” while many do not. The belief that all grains and legumes are bad is just not right. I think that I will be eating oatmeal again on Friday while I continue to avoid nuts outside of Hawaiian macadamias
http://twitter.com/ChrystalMahan Chrystal M.

I’m going to come right out and say it – I don’t eat paleo. Now that we have that out of the way I just want to tell you that this is an awesome post. With every health plan that is out there (Paleo, Primal, South Beach, Atkins, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem) they all have their own police. Due to medical reasons I follow a low carb diet. I tend to use Atkins as a guide because that is what makes me feel the best. I eat lean meat and protein, I don’t eat bacon every day, I dont eat unlimited cheese (like so many people out there think Atkins folks do) and I don’t obsess about desserts or treats (but yet I see a lot of than on Paleo websites). If people want to follow a certain health plan but then tailor it to suit their own needs – why is that a problem? They are still doing better for themselves than eating through the local drive-thru 5 days a week. right? I get the whole point of Paleo and the who, what, where, when and why. Same with Primal. Some might argue that my plate looks more Primal than anything. I am ok with that. I use these books and websites as a guide. If I feel better- who are the police to judge? Great post. Can’t wait to read more.
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ll be blogging at my new website soon.

Dear Paleo Police

Paleo is a GREAT eating template if…

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