I'm in LOVE with this new book!

[Metasequoia]

Primal Body, Primal Mind by Nora Gedgaudas.

I can't get enough of it!!

[Metasequoia]

Oh, she refers to the USDA food pyramid as "the feedlot pyramid."

[Junegoddess]

Originally Posted by Metasequoia

Oh, she refers to the USDA food pyramid as "the feedlot pyramid."

That's awesome! Grrrrreat... my time is already ticking away until I won't have many chances to read. I've got two months until a new baby and a huge pile of books begging for attention. And they're the kind that actually need some attention to read... not fluff. I do love my fluff.

I recently got "The Vegetarian Myth" and really want to read it... but my concentration levels are rather low right now. SO, I'm reading Swiss Family Robinson.

[dogmom327]

I love Primal Body Primal Mind! It's a little dense at times but I think that's a good thing (lots of discussion of the scientific evidence for her arguments).

[FairyRae]

Thanks for recommending it--sounds awesome! I'm totally putting it on my 'to read' list!!!

[bluebell]

great thanks i just ordered it! cant wait to read it.

[LauraLoo]

Just requested a copy from the library! Thanks!

[deditus]

I love this book, too.

[crunchy_mama]

Oh, that sounds sooo interesting!! I wish I could get that from the library, they cannot even get me anything good via ill.

[Metasequoia]

Originally Posted by Junegoddess

I recently got "The Vegetarian Myth" and really want to read it...

I ordered both together!

[sunnysandiegan]

I looked them both up (Primal Body, Primal Mind and The Vegetarian Myth) on our city public library site and no listing, so I tried the same searches on our county public library site and again no listing. Are they new???

[CHoney]

That looks interesting! I'd love to read what it says about depression...do you have to eat more meat? I don't eat a lot and wonder if that's my problem!

[FairyRae]

Originally Posted by CHoney

That looks interesting! I'd love to read what it says about depression...do you have to eat more meat? I don't eat a lot and wonder if that's my problem!

There is lots of info out on fish oil helping depression.

Also info on consumption of grains linking to all sorts of mental problems. GAPS diet info discusses problems w/ gut health and depression, and the diet itself is very much paleo oriented--mostly animal foods, veggies and fruits, nuts, seeds and some dairy products. ETA: And lots of fermeted foods and good TF fats!

I don't know about this book specifically, but just thought I'd shout out. On a personal level, eating more meat and less grains has significantly improved every facet of my own life!

[deditus]

This book, and a lot of other recent paleo literature, indicates that you should NOT eat too much protein. We need protein mainly for tissue repair and excess amounts create excess ammonia, which is a drain on our bodies detox systems. Advocates promote a reasonable amount of quality protein, LOTS of fats for energy, and veggies for nutrients. As a breastfeeding mother (but nursing a preschooler, so no longer a huge nutrient drain), I try to eat at least 60g of protein a day but no more than 80g.

[Koalamom]

I would love to read it, but have to work it into my busy scedule. Until then, anyone want to review it or summerize it? I am going to head over to see if my library can get me a copy.

[Koalamom]

Another question, is this book very evolution based? I am not looking to get into any discussions on evolution, but just want to know what I would be getting into reading this.

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

Another question, is this book very evolution based? I am not looking to get into any discussions on evolution, but just want to know what I would be getting into reading this.

It's been about 2 months since I read it so my details may be a little fuzzy but the main argument is that humans have only been consuming grains in any significant quantity for a fraction of the amount of time scientists believe it takes the human body to adapt/evolve to a new food source (agricultural endeavors began in society 5k-10k years ago depending on the specific society whereas scientists believe that adapting to a new food would take 40k-100k years). Essentially the human body isn't evolved to eat/process grains and therefore eating grain (particularly in the large amounts most people do) is really hard on our bodies.

I don't think it's necessary to like the theory of evolution though to gain a lot of very valuable info from her book about how grains affect the body and the importance of a high fat, moderate protein and low carb diet.

[crunchy_mama]

Originally Posted by deditus

This book, and a lot of other recent paleo literature, indicates that you should NOT eat too much protein. We need protein mainly for tissue repair and excess amounts create excess ammonia, which is a drain on our bodies detox systems. Advocates promote a reasonable amount of quality protein, LOTS of fats for energy, and veggies for nutrients. As a breastfeeding mother (but nursing a preschooler, so no longer a huge nutrient drain), I try to eat at least 60g of protein a day but no more than 80g.

Interesting. I am prego myself, so I know my needs are higher and then will be nursing a newborn quite soon. I know that I need a good amount of protein(from meat) but also lots of veggies and fat as well. There is a whole picture there for me anyway and with any of it missing I just don't feel optimal. I really, really wish I could get my hands on this book to read- it sounds so interesting!

[CHoney]

Originally Posted by FairyRae

There is lots of info out on fish oil helping depression.

Also info on consumption of grains linking to all sorts of mental problems. GAPS diet info discusses problems w/ gut health and depression, and the diet itself is very much paleo oriented--mostly animal foods, veggies and fruits, nuts, seeds and some dairy products. ETA: And lots of fermeted foods and good TF fats!

I don't know about this book specifically, but just thought I'd shout out. On a personal level, eating more meat and less grains has significantly improved every facet of my own life!

Thank you! I'll have to start taking fish oil more regularly and try eating less grains.

[FairyRae]

Oh CHoney--like the pp mentioned good fat is realllly important--I'm going to take a deeper look at my own intake cause I think I should (optimally) be getting more...

Here's an article linking low-fat diets and depression.

A study published in The British Journal of Nutrition monitored the moods of 20 individuals who reduced their intake of fat without altering their total calorie consumption. During the first month of the study, participants consumed about 40 percent of their calories from fat. During the second month, half of the group reduced their fat consumption to 25 percent of total calories. The participants who lowered their fat intake to 25 percent showed increased hostility and depression.

And I found this cool page on the importance of fats and brain health Here is a quote from it on depression and fish oils:

Although many stresses of modern life contribute to the prevalence of depression, Joseph R. Hibbeln, M.D., and Norman Salem, Jr., Ph.D., concluded in 1995 that the "relative deficiencies in essential fatty acids may also intensify vulnerability to depression."

They also pointed to lower rates of major depression in societies that consume large amounts of fish, a key dietary source of DHA. North American and European populations showed cumulative rates of depression 10 times greater than a Taiwanese population that consumed a lot of fish. The Japanese, whose diet is rich in fish, have a significantly lower prevalence of depression compared to North America and Europe.

Belgium researchers at Antwerp's University Hospital found that seriously depressed patients had lower omega-3 fatty acid levels than mildly depressed patients.7

Just wanted to share!