A Quick Follow Up to My “Calling For a New Paradigm” Post

I’ve had a couple people suggest that the negative health effects I experienced when my body fat dropped to 12% might actually be a result of not eating meat. I can totally understand why someone might think that. It’s not an illogical conclusion. Heck, it may even be true. But here are the facts:

-I’ve experienced continual health improvements over the nearly 4 years I’ve been eating a plant based diet, both subjectively and objectively according to my health screenings.
-I was in excellent health when I started the experiment.
-The symptoms I experienced were classic underfat symptoms.
-After upping my calories and gaining a few pounds all those symptoms are resolving themselves, without the inclusion of meat in my diet.

The logical conclusion, then, is that my symptoms were a result of underfat, not of meat deficiency.

Nothing against meat. Or meat eaters! Anyone who’s been following me for a while should know that I eat the way I do because it’s what works FOR ME and that I’m not a vegan evangelist or dogmatist. Just living my life, eating my food, and promoting the important message: eat real food! Move around a lot! Lift heavy things! And be kind to yourself and others.

7 thoughts on “A Quick Follow Up to My “Calling For a New Paradigm” Post

  1. THANK YOU! I’ve been a vegetarian for 35 years because I hate how meat tastes, and hate factory farming. I was beginning to get brain-washed that Paleo was the way to go to be healthy. I tried choking down tuna and chicken, and all it did was make me dread meals. Thank you for showing that Kaleo is the right way for me, always has been and I never should have doubted it!

  2. Pingback: I’m Calling for a New Paradigm | Go Kaleo

  3. Thanks for coming to my pin over on Pinterest and addressing my friend who was taking such issue with your diet (namely that you didn’t thrive on the Paleo diet). I really love that blog authors can interact with their readers so easily nowadays!

    Anyhoo, I just wanted to say that I completely agree with that you said here and that I love your “whatever works for you” mentality. I think that makes a lot of people uncomfortable because in order to live the way they do they have to hold to it being the *ultimate one right way*. It speaks volumes to me when people don’t feel the need to evangelize like that which is one of the reasons I adore this blog (and you) so much.

    -Maggie

    • “I think that makes a lot of people uncomfortable because in order to live the way they do they have to hold to it being the *ultimate one right way*.”

      I tend to agree, Maggie.

  4. Agreed! Meat is not essential for health and does not work for everyone. And we know there are tins of lean, healthy athletes that are vegan.

    Plus, I feel that we are the authority on our own body and know by trial and error what works best.

  5. Hi:)
    Thanks for your inspiring website and all the great information.

    I was wondering if you would be willing to post again some sample meal plans now that you have upped your calorie intake?

    Much appreciated!

    Lynn

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