Paleo and dairy

[littlepeas]

Sorry for posting off the big thread - whenever I ask questions in long threads I always get really lost. I just wanted to ask a few questions of the experienced paleo people!

I started a low carb regime last week and enjoying it, but I went with a more Atkins style approach, the rationale being that I don't really have a sweet tooth and won't miss fruit, but would miss cheese horribly. My initial goal is weight loss (am at the top of my healthy weight range, aiming for towards the bottom), but ultimately I want to improve my health.

My dh also wants to lose a few lbs (very similar to me in that he is a healthy weight, but wants to be lower down in the range) and is concerned about his health - his df required a quintuple heart bypass in his 60's despite a fairly healthy lifestyle and this plays on dh's mind - he isn't keen on low carb as he is worried about the higher fat and cholesterol content, but am I right in thinking that this way of eating tends to improve this?

I have suggested a switch to paleo, which seems to be healthier and he has made fairly positive noises about it, but does this really really mean no cheese? Every time I think about it I just picture a gorgeous baked camembert and feel very sorry for myself! Does anyone continue to eat cheese on paleo??? No lattes either? Even soy? And what about butter?

Actually, after all that waffle, I think this is my only question - can you still eat dairy on an otherwise paleo diet, or is it a complete NO?

[littlepeas]

Oh, and does low carb promote heart health? If anyone can point me in the direction of some good info regarding this, I'd appreciate it - he won't just take my word for it!

[pootlebug]

'Primal' is very similar to paleo but with dairy allowed in moderation www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-shopping-list/#axzz2pd1dYpra

Lauren Cordain, who I'm pretty sure started the Paleo thing, says in his Paleo for exercise book (I haven't read his original one) that eating the right way 95% of the time will do the job in terms of health benefits etc. So the odd cheese isn't poison, even if you do generally do no dairy.

I eat mainly paleo-ish but still have some dairy.....cup of tea with milk, and creme fraiche in my scrambled eggs.

Pretty sure both John Briffa and Lauren Cordain's books discuss heart health.

[pootlebug]

Meant to add, quite a lot of people doing Paleo continue to eat butter, since butter is nearly all fat so the 'dairy' bit is v low.

I do pick americano with a small amount of milk rather than latte if I'm out (if at home have coffee with cream or coconut milk/oil) as it's much less dairy.

[giraffeseatpineapples]

It does seem to promote good heart health but it is quite confusing because medical tests could suggest cholesterol has gone up but in fact its good cholesterol that has gone up (or something along those lines) def see if you can buy or borrow escape the diet trap by John Briffa it gives a very good argument for low carb.

[LauraBridges]

There i a lot of debate about dairy products and cheese and milk. No adult animals except humans take milk and much of the planet is intolerant of it by genes and thinks those who drink it smell even.
I eat paleo or primal. I don't really bother about what those definitions precisely mean. Caveman, eating clean or whatever. I think it can all be much the same. If I'm not trying to lose weight I will eat sweet potatoes and fruit / dried fruit too.

I cheese hurts my throat and makes my nose run. I had some the day before this week and really regretted it which is annoying as I've more left in the fridge and it's very low carb. So I suppose for me I really know deep down I've got to stay off cheese.

People write about the China study which apparently showed dairy was fine. i am not so sure but that might be because my body hates cheese. Interestingly at least 3 of my children have always detested cheese.

If you like cheese and are trying to eat in a healthy way then if you continue to eat it and the rest of your foods are natural you will be doing a lot better than most people manage.

[LauraBridges]

Might be worth your going on the paleohacks website and searching dairy products because there is a lot of useful information and Q&A on topics like that on there.

[PrimalLass]

Denise Minger, a paleo author, does a good debunk of the China study and why it is nonsense.

rawfoodsos.com/category/china-study/

I think with dairy, eat it if it doesn't affect you.