Book Review: The Paleo Solution, by Robb Wolf

[IronMaidenfan#1]

Thanks, guys. Typing that took a good chunk of time and effort, so I'm glad you're finding it helpful.

For those of you who have read the book, feel free to comment if you think I missed anything big, or if you think I got something wrong.

Again, I appreciate your efforts.

 

[Ares.420]

just picked it up from amazon, merry christmas folk

 

[IDRISCKY]

While that's true, it is still on Robb's recommended reading list.

While that is true, I'd imagine it's there out of respect more than anything. Because Cordain was his teacher and one of his biggest influences. As KILL KILL pointed out there are quite a few things in Cordain's book Robb wouldn't recommend and actually recommends against quite often. Canola, diet pop/soda, etc.

I'm not saying it isn't a good book, I've actually bought the revised re-release. But I feel Robb's book is a MUCH better starting point for people not only new to this approach, but those that aren't going to go beyond the book. Which, in my opinion, is most people. It just seemed odd that vincent80 would comment about buying Cordain's book in a thread about Robb's, when he isn't even familiar with Cordain or Wolf from what I have gathered from "by Loren something".

If he has iBooks he has Kindle. So I personally would have recommended Robb's book over Cordain's, especially to someone completely new to paleo. Which he can buy on Kindle, or even Art De Vany's new book, which he can buy on both iBooks and Kindle.

P.S. was anyone else in the tweetchat with Wolf and De Vany?

Edit: I should mention I haven't had the chance to read my copy of De Vany's book. So that recommendation is more assumption than anything. Which is another reason I'd recommend Robb's over the other two.

 

[vincent80]

You do realize that is a different book, correct?

Wolf's book and Cordain's book are very different. Cordain's would be considered dated by many people, even himself, which is why he's released it semi-updated this year and I've heard mention that he is writing a completely new one also.

Yea I do... It was the only Paleo diet book on iBooks ... But I believe it's the newest version of it.

 

[vincent80]

What is the title of De Vany's book? I couldn't find it. There's actually a little excerpt written in Cordains book by Wolf, so I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to pick up. This is my first book on paleo though.

While that is true, I'd imagine it's there out of respect more than anything. Because Cordain was his teacher and one of his biggest influences. As KILL KILL pointed out there are quite a few things in Cordain's book Robb wouldn't recommend and actually recommends against quite often. Canola, diet pop/soda, etc.

I'm not saying it isn't a good book, I've actually bought the revised re-release. But I feel Robb's book is a MUCH better starting point for people not only new to this approach, but those that aren't going to go beyond the book. Which, in my opinion, is most people. It just seemed odd that vincent80 would comment about buying Cordain's book in a thread about Robb's, when he isn't even familiar with Cordain or Wolf from what I have gathered from "by Loren something".

If he has iBooks he has Kindle. So I personally would have recommended Robb's book over Cordain's, especially to someone completely new to paleo. Which he can buy on Kindle, or even Art De Vany's new book, which he can buy on both iBooks and Kindle.

P.S. was anyone else in the tweetchat with Wolf and De Vany?

Edit: I should mention I haven't had the chance to read my copy of De Vany's book. So that recommendation is more assumption than anything. Which is another reason I'd recommend Robb's over the other two.

 

[Dogstarman]

I bought the book and follow robb's podcast. I really have no issue with paleo diet in general and think it is a good diet to follow. The issue I have is with the sustainability of it. Eating free range, grass fed chickens, cows, pigs, and "truly organic" fruits and vegetables can get freaking expensive.

I know Robb says not to get to worked up about the grass fed stuff but he does recommend it for the best results possible.

Also if you are traveling as much as I do, gone 3 or more nights a week it gets really cumbersome and expensive to eat paleo. No grains, no legumes, no rice, shit everything has damn corn or soy in it.

Also is it possible to feed the world this way or is this diet for the privileged few that can afford it?

Anyhow that is my rant on paleo.

 

[numberthirtytwo]

It's not supposed to be a diet to feed the world. It's supposed to be a diet for better health, which is definitely a luxury. It's absolutely not sustainable for 6b people but its never meant to be

 

[Dogstarman]

It's not supposed to be a diet to feed the world. It's supposed to be a diet for better health, which is definitely a luxury. It's absolutely not sustainable for 6b people but its never meant to be

So it is a diet for the privileged few who can afford it, I understand that. I also understand that Robb does not want it to become cultish but it already is in a way. The way he describes it is that you are going to die if you don't eat this way then goes on to say to sweat it though. So should I worry about a cheat day? I know Robb can't have a "cheat day," because of his disease, he also states no one should have cheat days either. So can I let loose on Christmas and drink a few beers and eat some rolls and tamales and not sweat it on that day? Or will eating these "third world proteins" and foods fuck me up for life and give me leaky gut and kill me? I know he says the gut repairs itself in a matter of weeks but is it ok to cheat or not.

I think this is a terrific theory and the science is good. There is also another book out there called Evolution RX by Dr. William Meller that talks about a medical approach to evolutionary theory. I just think that, while Robb tone tries to be light in some parts he does come off as elitist in others.

 

[KILL KILL]

So it is a diet for the privileged few who can afford it, I understand that. I also understand that Robb does not want it to become cultish but it already is in a way. The way he describes it is that you are going to die if you don't eat this way then goes on to say to sweat it though. So should I worry about a cheat day? I know Robb can't have a "cheat day," because of his disease, he also states no one should have cheat days either. So can I let loose on Christmas and drink a few beers and eat some rolls and tamales and not sweat it on that day? Or will eating these "third world proteins" and foods fuck me up for life and give me leaky gut and kill me? I know he says the gut repairs itself in a matter of weeks but is it ok to cheat or not.

I think this is a terrific theory and the science is good. There is also another book out there called Evolution RX by Dr. William Meller that talks about a medical approach to evolutionary theory. I just think that, while Robb tone tries to be light in some parts he does come off as elitist in others.

Do what you want. I think the biggest reason they do not advise cheat days is because most people will fall off the wagon afterwards and completely drop the diet. discipline is the key.

 

[XTrainer]

Of course it's not "OK" to "cheat." By definition, a "cheat" is a deviation from whatever was "OK." Whether or not the satisfaction from that deviation is worthwhile for you is a decision only you can make.

You (Dogstarman) are acting as if such a deviation would really be no deviation at all, if only someone were to tell you so.

 

[XTrainer]

Do what you want. I think the biggest reason they do not advise cheat days is because most people will fall off the wagon afterwards and completely drop the diet. discipline is the key.

People want a free lunch. They want someone to tell them that they can get away with "X" amount of cheating with no negative consequences...but cheating, by definition has negative consequences (or else we need to redefine what constitutes a "cheat.")

I'm not preaching that people should never eat outside of their diets' parameters, but I am suggesting that that people shouldn't kid themselves about the implications of such cheating, however insignificant. TANSTAAFL

 

[Loomy]

Evolution doesn't happen in a matter of decades, unfortunately.

he was wrong to say decades. it can happen in a generation. but he wasnt wrong to suggest that grains are fine.

billions of people thrive on grains. grains are more well proven than anyone writing a book.

 

[XTrainer]

billions of people survive on grains.

Fixed. No one says you can't live on grains, it is all a question of how much better you could do without them.

Having said that, I'd rather that this thread did not spiral into a Paleo debate, let's try to keep the discussion on the book. We have a lot of other threads full of Paleo debate, or you can make a new one.

I don't want people to get the words of posters confused with Robb's.

 

[Oblivian]

Fixed. No one says you can't live on grains, it is all a question of how much better you could do without them.

Or it's a question of how much better you can do WITH them. I've had some great gains this year in strength and I'm specifically eating A LOT of grains. That's why I don't think his statement of "thrive" on grains should be fixed. I've been "thriving" on grains the past 3 months.

 

[IDRISCKY]

What is the title of De Vany's book? I couldn't find it. There's actually a little excerpt written in Cordains book by Wolf, so I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to pick up. This is my first book on paleo though.

'The New Evolution Diet'. Type in De Vany brings it up right away. It's like 20th on the list if you search by Evolution.

Like I said, you can also get it and/or Robb's book on Kindle. Since you have an iPad/iPhone/iPod the Kindle app is free. So all you'd be paying for is the book itself, just like you would with iBooks. The PC app is also free, so you could read it on your devices and PC. It also syncs across all devices so you can pickup in the exact place you left off on your PC on your iPad, Kindle, etc.

A few things to keep in mind. De Vany's book is tiny. 213 pages (8.9 x 6.1 x 1) cover to cover. That includes index, forwards, dedications, etc. Most of the negative reviews I've read wanted more out of the book, more detail, more information. Especially in comparison to Robb's book. That could be a bad thing or a good thing for you. Depending on what you want.

For those of you that weren't in the tweetchat for De Vany's book. I'm under the impression that De Vany gets confused by this new fangled technology. He really could have used a 13 year old daughter. Robb pretty much saved the chat, and Welbourn, Welbourn just made it awesome.

Don't know if any of you know about Welbourn's battle with "The Prius", but here's my contribution to the chat.

John Welbourn I <3 meat. Is meat Paleo? #paleochat

IDRISCKY I <3 Prius. Is Prius Paleo? #paleochat

ArtDeVany @IDRISCKY Yes, my Range Rover eats them. #paleochat

 

[ronin0352]

While that is true, I'd imagine it's there out of respect more than anything. Because Cordain was his teacher and one of his biggest influences. As KILL KILL pointed out there are quite a few things in Cordain's book Robb wouldn't recommend and actually recommends against quite often. Canola, diet pop/soda, etc.

I'm not saying it isn't a good book, I've actually bought the revised re-release. But I feel Robb's book is a MUCH better starting point for people not only new to this approach, but those that aren't going to go beyond the book. Which, in my opinion, is most people. It just seemed odd that vincent80 would comment about buying Cordain's book in a thread about Robb's, when he isn't even familiar with Cordain or Wolf from what I have gathered from "by Loren something".

If he has iBooks he has Kindle. So I personally would have recommended Robb's book over Cordain's, especially to someone completely new to paleo. Which he can buy on Kindle, or even Art De Vany's new book, which he can buy on both iBooks and Kindle.

P.S. was anyone else in the tweetchat with Wolf and De Vany?

Edit: I should mention I haven't had the chance to read my copy of De Vany's book. So that recommendation is more assumption than anything. Which is another reason I'd recommend Robb's over the other two.

I agree with you completely. I was just pointing out that it is a source for additional info. Yeah, Robb's book is on Kindle...that's how I read it, then I went and bought the actual physical books for gifts. Robb's book is definitely the best for starting out.

 

[zere0wn]

So it is a diet for the privileged few who can afford it, I understand that. I also understand that Robb does not want it to become cultish but it already is in a way. The way he describes it is that you are going to die if you don't eat this way then goes on to say to sweat it though. So should I worry about a cheat day? I know Robb can't have a "cheat day," because of his disease, he also states no one should have cheat days either. So can I let loose on Christmas and drink a few beers and eat some rolls and tamales and not sweat it on that day? Or will eating these "third world proteins" and foods fuck me up for life and give me leaky gut and kill me? I know he says the gut repairs itself in a matter of weeks but is it ok to cheat or not.

I think this is a terrific theory and the science is good. There is also another book out there called Evolution RX by Dr. William Meller that talks about a medical approach to evolutionary theory. I just think that, while Robb tone tries to be light in some parts he does come off as elitist in others.

I think you are mis-interpreting Mr. Wolf. He would definitely LIKE you not to cheat for optimal results, but I've heard him say an 80% level of buy in will be a significant improvement. He also discusses in his podcast numerous different cheats that wouldn't hurt you too bad. This is for generally healthy people who are training smart and eating smart and have no disease.

However if you are battling an auto-immune condition you will definitely hear him be "elitist" or whatever and say that you cannot cheat, and this is because in this situation cheating really could significantly shorten your life.

As Wolf says numerous times, its all about who you are and what you want.

 

[IDRISCKY]

ronin0352, do you own a Kindle? I've been thinking about getting one for a few years, but don't know anyone that owns one to talk to before I actually spend that much.

 

[Oblivian]

ronin0352, do you own a Kindle? I've been thinking about getting one for a few years, but don't know anyone that owns one to talk to before I actually spend that much.

My wife owns one. I don't see what the fuss is about. Books are cheap and I think it's cool to have a library of books.

 

[IDRISCKY]

My wife owns one. I don't see what the fuss is about. Books are cheap and I think it's cool to have a library of books.

No, I agree. I prefer a real book to an e-book. I buy all my books in hardcover when at all possible. I have a great loath toward paperbacks, mass-market in particular. And I've personally come across several instances when the actual book was cheaper than the Kindle version on Amazon. Not a few cents cheaper but $2+ cheaper.

But there are a few areas I could see a Kindle fitting into my need/lifestyle better. It's quite hard and inconvenient to travel with books. Paperbacks do not hold up well to normal use, and when I can't get a hardcover copy I'd personally prefer a e-book copy over a mass-market paperback. It's also easier, or less obstructive at least, to highlight, mark, search, cross-reference, etc a Kindle book than a physical book. Especially if you're like me... unfortunately. I have OCD when it comes to books. I refuse to mark them in anyway, I take the dust jacket off and store it before I read the book to make sure it's kept in perfect condition, I only open the book enough to read it and avoid cracking the spine more than needed, I cringe at people that lick their fingers before turning a page.

I swear one day Borders is going to kick me out for digging into all the new books to look for the best condition copy. You literally have to buy a book at Borders the day it comes out, or all that will be left of the shelves are copies people read in the store and fuck up, and then put back.