Paleo or Vegan?

For those of you who know me you know that I am at the crossroads of a heated and controversial debate regarding optimal diets for health.   And the debate continues to come back to the question - Paleo or Vegan?

For the majority of my adult life I, like many of you, have hovered somewhere between 5 to 10 above my "ideal" weight (a number that is in itself debatable).  But it has always been more than the number on the scale - it's about how I feel:  energy levels, how my clothing fits, how well I sleep, concentration, etc.

Over the years I have dabbled with nearly every diet: low carb, vegetarian, weight watchers, zone, etc. And nearly all of them have left me with cravings and short term wins only to be followed by rapid weight gain.  The problem was that I was always "on a diet"  rather than focusing on my diet.  By diet I am referring to the everyday, what I choose to put into my body, how and when. 

A couple of years ago I tried the zone diet - and for the first time I noticed improved performance, energy levels, and overall well-being.  Problem was - it was a "diet" and not a natural way of living.  Rather than listening to the signals my body was sending I was obsessed with weighing, measuring and counting.  And if I had to travel?  Forget it!  I was off the "diet" and it all went downhill from there.

Then came the Paleo diet.  Simple premise:  over 98% of our evolutionary history is based on a hunter-gatherer diet.  We have evolved to eat a certain diet, and returning to that diet results in maximizing our physical capabilities.  Eat lean meats, veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds.  Unprocessed, unrefined, as nature intended.  Whole foods. If it can be hunted or gathered, it can be consumed. I followed these rules, ate when I was hungry and within weeks I had achieved my optimal weight.  For the first time in my life - I felt fit.  Not only that, but my performance in the gym improved tremendously.  My focus is clear, my performance at work increased.  It was the most simple diet, nothing to count or weigh or measure.  No cravings.

So here I am, as happy as can be with my new found diet.  I am practically a Paleo evangelist at this point, telling all my friends and family just how easy this has been. 

Fast forward one year:  I started a new job at Whole Foods Market as a Marketing Director, and during the holidays I am presented with a wide assortment of new goodies and treats.   Well, of course I must taste these items if I am to help sell them (or so I tell myself), and down the slippery slope I fall.  By the end of the year I was consuming pasta and bread, doughnuts and chocolate, in moderation of course - but still these nasty items had found their way back into my diet.  I had just lapsed back to 2003.

As previously disclosed, I work at Whole Foods Market, and we are on a mission to change the health of our communities.  To educate our customers and our community about healthy food options, and to promote a diet that focuses on healthy fats, nutritionally dense foods, whole foods (unrefined foods), and a plant based diet.  In an effort to encourage healthy eating, Whole Foods Market is sponsoring Team Members who wish to participate in Healthy Immersion Programs (1-2 week long retreats where healthy eating and cooking is taught in an effort to change the lifestyle of the participants).  Over the past 6 months I have watched in awe as my colleagues have returned from these retreats with new found vitality and health.  My experience with the Paleo diet seemed similar to my co-workers experience with their new diets.  I was excited to see this progress and wanted to know if I would have the same experience.

There are so many similarities (whole foods, minimally processed, healthy fats)  There is one main difference between these Healthy Immersion programs and the Paleo diet.  My co-workers are now Vegan.

So - what is the solution to optimal health - Paleo or Vegan?

I am determined to settle this once and for all.  For my own peace of mind, and to feel that I can confidently establish a diet that will promote health that will support a long and vibrant life.  I am going to test both diets.

Beginning January 14th, 2011, I will follow a Paleo diet for 4 weeks.  I will have blood work taken at the beginning of the journey, at the midpoint and again at the end. 

On February 19th I will participate in the Engine 2 Diet as part of the Healthy Immersion program sponsored by Whole Foods Market.  I will follow this diet for 4 weeks.  I will have blood work taken at the beginning of the journey, at the midpoint, and again at the end. 

I will share my experience, results, thoughts and reflections with you on this site.  I welcome any feedback, thoughts, comments, etc. 


So the challenge begins - Paleo vs. Vegan!