The Paleo Diet Q and A with Amy Kubal

The Paleo Diet Q and A with Amy Kubal

 

About a month ago I wrote an article for the blog here at Kyle Hunt Fitness called What is the Ultimate Human Diet. That blog post kicked off a series of articles that are going to take a look at many of the current popular dieting strategies administered in the fitness community.

 

The first article of the series covers The Paleo Diet

 

 Questions answered by Amy Kubal, MS, RD, LN

 

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started with the Paleo approach to eating?

While working at Elsworth AFB, the Major in charge of my flight was pro-Paleo. At that time I was a high-carb, low-fat promoting endurance athlete. Major Jones challenged my thinking and I ended up sending an email to Robb Wolf. Robb responded to my email and basically told me to try it – I did and ended up winning my next marathon. Couple that with a diagnosis of celiac disease and here I am!

 

To a person who has never heard of Paleo eating before how would you describe it?

Paleo is a “Real Food” approach to eating. If it lives, grows, rots and dies; or as Robb Wolf said, “Has a face or a soul” – it’s good to go. If it lives in a package on your shelf and needs an ingredient list it’s probably not going to make the cut. Basically, paleo eating is meats, vegetables, healthy fats, and some fruit/nuts. Twinkies, Big Macs and Coke need not apply.

 

What foods are Paleo friendly and what foods are off limits? What are some of the reasons for the food avoidance?

Foods that fit a paleo plan are grassfed or lean meats, wild caught fish, eggs, vegetables, fats such as coconut oil, coconut milk, olives, olive oil, and avocado, and fresh fruits. Foods that are to be avoided include all grains, dairy, legumes, soy, vegetable oils/fats, packaged/highly processed foods, concentrated and artificial sweeteners. In cases of autoimmune disease; eggs, nightshade vegetables, and nuts may also be eliminated.

Our bodies are not designed to handle/process many of the components of the foods that are not included in a paleo lifestyle. The foods that are omitted contain anti-nutrients and toxins such as lectins, saponins and/or have negative disease promoting side effects.

 

What does a typical Paleo meal look like?

A typical meal includes about a palm-sized serving of animal sourced protein (grassfed beef, wild caught salmon, etc), 2 fists worth of non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, etc), and some fat (coconut oil used in cooking, avocado, etc.)

 

 

What is your stance on supplements and how do they fit in the Paleo lifestyle?

Food should always be FIRST!! There are certain circumstances and nutrients (Omega-3, Vitamin D3, etc) that may require supplementation but ultimately you should get as much of what you need from your diet as possible. Here is a link to my thoughts on protein supplements: http://robbwolf.com/2012/05/03/wheying-in-protein-powders-paleo/

 

What are the most common misconceptions about Paleo that you hear?

Many people believe that Paleo and Atkins are one and the same. This is completely untrue! A paleo diet is not necessarily ‘low-carb’. Starchy roots and tubers and fruit have a place in most cases. Also, many believe that a paleo eating style is high-protein, this too is not the case. Paleo is moderate protein, and carbohydrate and fat amounts are adjusted based on individual needs, goals, and health.

 

How would you tailor a Paleo approach for athletes?

Depending on the sport and the athlete’s goals the carbohydrate and fat ratios are adjusted to meet his/her needs. Fueling before/during and after workouts becomes very important for recovery and performance.

 

Is there a training methodology that specifically works well with a Paleo diet?

The beauty of a Paleo diet is that it can be adjusted to fit the needs of the athlete and his/her training. I work with my athletes to dial in their nutrition to fit the season, current training regimen and goals. It’s not a simple “Shake for breakfast, shake for lunch and a sensible dinner” approach and one size does not fit all.

 

What type of person is a Paleo diet best suited for? Is there anyone who would not benefit from a Paleo diet?

Again, the Paleo diet can be adjusted to fit the needs of nearly anyone. I feel that from health and performance standpoints almost everyone could benefit by following a paleo lifestyle. Those that are more ‘difficult’ include vegans, vegetarians, and individuals dealing with eating disorders.

 

What are the biggest health and fitness benefits from adopting a Paleo diet?

All aspects of health – GI, hormone optimization, autoimmune, blood sugar regulation, skin/complexion, energy levels, sleep, etc., are all benefit with a paleo lifestyle. From a fitness/athletic stand point – performance, recovery, muscle preservation, and fat loss are all major pros!

 

To Contact Amy Kubal visit her consultation page

 

Editor’s Note:

I first became exposed to the Paleo eating approach by listening to Robb Wolf’s podcast on iTunes. I always try to gain as much nutritional information as possible so after listening for a while I decided to give his book a read. Let me just say I highly recommend his book The Paleo Solution! Even if you have no desire to ever follow a Paleo diet the book is very informative on nutrition in general.

 

To purchase Robb’s book The Paleo Solution click below