A recent study published in The Quartley Review of Biology concluded that (gasp!) carbohydrates were a part of a caveman’s diet. The researchers argue that carbs, particularly from cooked starchy tubers, played a vital role in the evolution of the human brain.
This did not come as shocking news to a lot of us. Of course caveman ate carbs. They ate whatever they could get their grubby, hairy, little hands on. Gatherers really can’t be choosers.
However, certain media outlets have been using this study as evidence to discredit the Paleo diet with claims that the study “flies in the face of the Paleo diet”(Yahoo) because it involves carbohydrates, “bane of today’s paleo diet enthusiasts”(New York Times). “Sorry Paleo fans, science says carbs helped your brains get big” (Grist)…insert face palm here.
If the reporters of these articles had done any homework at all, they would have found that the Paleo diet does not strictly involve heaping plates of meat with a sides of lettuce. The diet advocates consuming a healthy balance of protein, fats, fruits, and vegetables that contain (gasp!) carbs. I guess fact checking doesn’t lead to sensational headlines that capitalize on the hottest diet trend at the moment.
So I hate to break it to everyone, but the Paleo diet actually encourages the consumption of carbohydrates, specifically carbs from the starchy vegetables named in the study.
Another thing these articles seem to overlook is the fact that our cave-dwelling ancestors were constantly on the move. They were busy gathering food, tracking herds, and escaping from being hunted themselves. Early humans needed a lot of energy, so those carbs came in handy.
Us modern day humans are a bit more sedentary. We find ourselves busy checking Facebook at work, binging watching Netflix, and checking Facebook at home. Overconsumption of carbs combined with lack of movement is what gets us into trouble. The Paleo lifestyle is designed to correct that.
If anything, I find the study confirms my own belief about Paleo eating- a well balanced diet of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates as close to natural sources as I can get them. Doesn’t make for a great headline, but it does make for some good living.
Daniel and Meghan
Tuesday 1st of September 2015
Great post! This is exactly what came to mind when we read the studies you mentioned, and it was a little frustrating that none of the writers took the time to mention those lifestyle differences.
Carbs fuel activity. Sitting is not an activity. The combination of desk jobs and refined carbs is making people sick.
The Sophisticated Caveman
Wednesday 2nd of September 2015
So true. Carbs do have a purpose, overindulgence is the issue.