Paleolithic Diet and the Vegetarian!

Forgive me as I am about to delve into the mysterious world of my personal opinion, albeit with some research, in this post. Hence two posts in one day!

Ive been doing some reading on circuit training and its associated diet. I came across something called the Paleolithic diet. Apparently Man and his digestive system evolved along with the environment more or less in sync until about 12,000 years ago when agriculture was invented. So until then he (and she) was a "hunter-gatherer" who hunted for food or picked wild berries and nuts. The lifestyle was also such that it was quite active. In fact, the book "Natural Fitness" by Bruce Tulloh that I am currently reading gave me a shocking revelation.

Paleolithic man apparently went out hunting only 2 to 2.5 days in a week - and each day not more than 6 hours per day. Who said that civilized world was better? Im working 40 - 50 hours a week and I get 1 kg of fish for Rs. 400 per week. The rest of the time Paleo man stayed at home and basically enjoyed himself playing with the kids, helping with their home work, eating berries and having sex.

Anyway a study of their life and remains indicates that they were clearly omnivorous. In fact the teeth structure is made for both cutting/slicing and grinding which is an omnivorous predisposition.

Vegetarianism is therefore unnatural, ungodly and akin to devil worship! (Ok . its not ungodly or akin to devil worship - just trying to get a little sensational here.)

Also the human stomach still produces pepsin - an enzyme needed to digest meat. There are several other bits of evidence that Tulloh cites to prove beyond a doubt that eating meat is not only natural but also necessary for a balanced diet.

So Mr. Vegetarian, the next time you want to argue with me about the joys of fruits and vegatables, please explain to me why you have canines and incisors!

There's going to be another post about training to simulate the paleo lifestyle. Look out for it.

Until next time!