Posting to this comm = "ask rydra_wong" a question ; )
LET ME SHOW YOU MY LEARNINGS. MY LEARNINGS, LET ME SHOW YOU THEM. *g*
Are gluten-free things gonna be paleo so long as they don't have, like, dairy or whatever in them? Or is it more complicated than that?
It's more complicated than that, alas. Gluten is found in some grains, but not all, and paleo is supposed to be grain-free. So some gluten-free products will also be paleo, and it's often a good place to start looking when it comes to things like bread recipes, but some won't (if they're using gluten-free grains like corn, rice or oats as a substitute).
I think I associate complex carbs solely with grains, but I guess that's not the case.
Basically, "complex carbs" are starches, rather than sugars. As long as you're eating vegetables, you're getting some.
But increasingly, nutritionists seem to be ditching the simple vs. complex distinction anyway, because some starches actually get broken down by the body faster than some sugars, causing a spike in blood glucose (and then a drop). This is what's measured by the "glycemic index" or "glycemic load".
Generally, you want to aim for "low glycemic" foods, which get converted into glucose slowly and steadily and keep your blood sugar stable (except in highly specific situations like refuelling immediately after strenuous exercise).
Foods with a high glycemic load tend to be refined carbohydrates -- sugars or "white starches" (white flour, white pasta, white rice, white potatoes, etc.). So a paleo diet tends almost inevitably to be low-glycemic. Which everyone agrees is a good thing.
So far, I've ascertained that more protein is definitely what I need and that meat definitely needs to be in my diet
That's pretty much how I view paleo/primal: as a theory that gives you a basis for self-experimentation and finding out what works in practice for your individual metabolism and lifestyle.
I found that eating lots of protein and good fats has amazing effects on my energy levels; I used to get terrible energy crashes and slumps (and I still do, if I eat high-GI foods outside that post-exercise window). And I really don't do well without meat.
On the other hand, I seem to be fine with some dairy (generally Greek yoghurt) and occasional grains; cutting them out doesn't seem to make a noticeable difference for me. Whereas some people eliminate them and find it produces a drastic improvement in their health/well-being.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2010-12-05 08:32 am (UTC)LET ME SHOW YOU MY LEARNINGS. MY LEARNINGS, LET ME SHOW YOU THEM. *g*
Are gluten-free things gonna be paleo so long as they don't have, like, dairy or whatever in them? Or is it more complicated than that?
It's more complicated than that, alas. Gluten is found in some grains, but not all, and paleo is supposed to be grain-free. So some gluten-free products will also be paleo, and it's often a good place to start looking when it comes to things like bread recipes, but some won't (if they're using gluten-free grains like corn, rice or oats as a substitute).
I think I associate complex carbs solely with grains, but I guess that's not the case.
Basically, "complex carbs" are starches, rather than sugars. As long as you're eating vegetables, you're getting some.
But increasingly, nutritionists seem to be ditching the simple vs. complex distinction anyway, because some starches actually get broken down by the body faster than some sugars, causing a spike in blood glucose (and then a drop). This is what's measured by the "glycemic index" or "glycemic load".
Generally, you want to aim for "low glycemic" foods, which get converted into glucose slowly and steadily and keep your blood sugar stable (except in highly specific situations like refuelling immediately after strenuous exercise).
Foods with a high glycemic load tend to be refined carbohydrates -- sugars or "white starches" (white flour, white pasta, white rice, white potatoes, etc.). So a paleo diet tends almost inevitably to be low-glycemic. Which everyone agrees is a good thing.
So far, I've ascertained that more protein is definitely what I need and that meat definitely needs to be in my diet
That's pretty much how I view paleo/primal: as a theory that gives you a basis for self-experimentation and finding out what works in practice for your individual metabolism and lifestyle.
I found that eating lots of protein and good fats has amazing effects on my energy levels; I used to get terrible energy crashes and slumps (and I still do, if I eat high-GI foods outside that post-exercise window). And I really don't do well without meat.
On the other hand, I seem to be fine with some dairy (generally Greek yoghurt) and occasional grains; cutting them out doesn't seem to make a noticeable difference for me. Whereas some people eliminate them and find it produces a drastic improvement in their health/well-being.