Should You Be Eating “Pegan?”
By The Edgy Truth
With so many diets taunting our Facebook feeds, it can be incredibly difficult to ingest it all (pun intended). The fact is, most diets fall somewhere between two extremes: Vegan or Paleo. With one focused on low glycemic vegetable, fruit and starch loads and the other focused on heavy protein and sometimes even heavier fat intake.
The line between Vegan and Paleo can of course sometimes be contentious as ethical and even environmental debates spawn. However, those aside and simply focused on health, Dr. Mark Hyman, one of the more respected nutrition Docs in the game, has seen a bright side to the middle.
How so?
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Well the fact is, most diets which contribute to health, weight loss, mental clarity and curing chronic diseases and inflammation have commonalities within them. And those commonalities are strong bonds between the two camps.
What are they?
Both diets offer low glycemic loads / low sugar. A Vegan diet really achieves this through high fibrous foods which net smaller amounts of carbs, while a Paleo diet (mostly) achieves this via high protein meal experiences.
Both diets largely eliminate processed and refined sugar sources, grains and empty starches.
In short, within the friendly confines of either diet, you aren’t eating bread, pasta, chips or candy bars … your insulin is regulated …. your inflammation is kept in check …. no more chemicals or additives … you feel amazing!
So why all the ruffled feathers? People are dogmatic, which in this case, tends to potentially hurt the absolute best health outcome.
So how would you achieve this? Well, Hyman has some pretty solid guidelines.
1. Eat a low-glycemic load.
Focus on more protein and fats, including nuts (not peanuts), seeds (flax, chia, hemp, sesame, pumpkin), coconut, avocados, sardines and olive oil.
2. Eat the right fats.
Steer clear of vegetable oils, including soybean oil, which now comprises about 10% of our calories. Focus instead on omega-3 fats, nuts, coconut, avocados, and yes, even saturated fat from grass-fed or sustainably raised animals.
3. Eat mostly plants.
Plant should form 75% of your diet and your plate.
4. Focus on nuts and seeds.
They are full of protein, minerals, and good fats, plus they lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
5. Avoid dairy.
Dairy is great for growing calves into cows, but not for humans. Try organic goat or sheep products, but only as a treat.
6. Avoid gluten.
Most is from Franken Wheat, so look for heirloom wheat (Einkorn). If you are not sensitive to gluten, then consider it an occasional treat.
7. Eat gluten-free whole grains sparingly.
They still raise blood sugar and can trigger autoimmunity.
8. Eat beans sparingly.
Lentils are best. Stay away from big starchy beans.
9. Eat meat or animal products as a condiment.
There’s no need to make animal products the main course.
10. Think of sugar as an occasional treat.
Use it sparingly.
So how are you eating?
