3 Biggest Paleo Nutrition Mistakes
1. Eating Too Much Natural Sugar
The real food/Paleo nutrition plan eliminates all processed and genetically modified forms of sugar but the general plans allow fruit, honey and coconut nectar. These are natural sweeteners and have health benefits but they also have drawbacks. The high fructose content in these sweeteners can put a burden on the liver and hamper its ability to detoxify effectively. This will result in hormonal challenges and adrenal issues.2. Eating Too Many Nuts:
The paleo/primal nutrition plan eliminates the consumption of grains and reduces starchy carbohydrate consumption. As we look elsewhere to get our calories, nuts are an easy solution. We are typically quite familiar with nuts as most Americans consume nuts regularly throughout their lives and they are easy to get in any grocery store in North America.Anti-Nutrient Content in Nuts:
Nuts can be quite hazardous when consumed in heavy amounts. They contain phytic acids that bind to major minerals like zinc, calcium and magnesium. High amounts of phytates in our diet can lead to mineral deficiencies. These minerals are important for energy production and hormonal balance.There are also enzyme inhibitors present in nuts that block normal enzyme activity in the body. This can cause digestive challenges and energy problems. Soaking or sprouting nuts and seeds helps to reduce phytate and enzyme inhibitor counts and makes the nuts and seeds more bioavailable.
The Bottom Line:
Many individuals with digestive challenges have food sensitivities to many different nuts and seeds. When they consume these foods they increase inflammatory activity and drive up stress hormones. This drains the body of vital resources and leads to adrenal burnout over time. For these individuals they need to completely eliminate these from their diet and heal their gut and immune system before reintroducing them.3. Avoiding Raw, Grass-Fed Dairy:
Many individuals who have been following the paleo/primal nutrition plan have completely taken dairy out of their diet. I agree that this is a great step for a period of time. Nobody should be consuming typical processed, grain-fed dairy that is a staple of the Western cuisine. This form of dairy is highly inflammatory as it is loaded with omega 6 fatty acids, pesticides, hormones and anti-biotics.The only kind of dairy that I recommend is 100% grass-fed dairy that is ideally in the raw form. I am also very leery of any dairy that is not free of A1 beta Casein. A1 beta casein is in most cow dairy in the US. Only special breeds of cattle – Bos Indicus do not produce A1 beta casein. Beyond Organic is a company that has fantastic grass-fed dairy that is free of A1 beta casein.
Great forms of dairy include raw cheese, Amasai and fermented whey products. Grass-fed butter or ghee is naturally free of all casein as it is simply milk fat and has no protein so this is a great food to eat. Grass-fed goat and sheep dairy is also fantastic.
The Benefits of Grass-Fed Dairy:
Grass-fed dairy tastes amazing and offers a great nutritional option for those who tolerate it well. It has many extraordinary health benefits as it is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoid anti-oxidants, and major minerals like zinc and magnesium. Cheese has complete protein and tons of branched chain amino acids and CLA which help promote a lean, fit physique and healthy hormones.I recommend for those who are dairy free without a known dairy sensitivity to try grass-fed fermented dairy and grass-fed butter and see how their body tolerates it. These are really fun and enjoyable foods to include in your nutrition plan and they offer powerful health benefits to those who can properly digest them.