Good Calories, Bad Calories was definitely hard to read, but I'm glad that I finally got through it, as it was well-researched. I usually recommend Taubes NYT article over the book as most people won't have the patience to read it. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/07/magazine/what-if-it-s-all-been-a-big-fat-lie.html

I liked Neaderthin a lot, enough to plunk down the 20 or so bucks for it.

I just finished The Primal Blueprint. Sisson's plan is easier to follow for people who have never cut out carbs. I liked that he addressed some aspects of holistic health. I liked most of The Paleo Diet, but Cordain's original recommendation to use canola oil hurt his credibility in my eyes. I wish he would come out with a revised book. I think that it would sell well, as the original Paleo Diet is still in print and I saw it prominently displayed at my local Barnes and Noble.

Next up is Gedgaudas' book as soon as it comes in at the library.

Quote from: Water Lily on September 30, 2009, 05:45:41 AM

Next up is Gedgaudas' book as soon as it comes in at the library.

I actually bought the book and read it and I wasn't terribly impressed.  Most of her emphasis seems to be on life extension, which I wasn't expecting.  Here, I can sum up her nutrition plan in a few words:  Eat lots of nonstarchy veggies, the minimum amount of protein you need to rebuild body tissue (she says to follow the RDA for your age/weight/gender/whatever), and fill out the meal with fat to appetite.  The rest of the book is mostly about supplements.

Thanks for the heads up. In that case, I'll stick to what I have already read. I know enough about supplements.

I have to disagree with her nutrition plan about eating lots of nonstarchy veggies. My body seems a lot happier now that I'm not really eating much veggies at all!

I got through Nora's book in a few days of heavy reading. Since your on this forum I don't think any of the "what do do" info would be new to you, however many of her why's and research and especially her Primal Mind section of the book was full of new reasons for me to follow the diet above just the obvious feeling good and getting more fit reasons.

If you want I can look in the book and post where she cites her research from on that chapter, or her additional reading maybe. I have company, so it might take me a few days to get that info posted.

Interesting Warren, Taubes book is next on my list to read. I'll pick it up after Christmas I think. I look forward to reading it after your comparison of the two.

I'm 5'6" and 175 lbs. The veins pop out on my hands and forearms, feet and calves (haven't seem them in years!), so I know my bodyfat is low, but not quite so low that I can see my abs yet (Wlf I think the number on that is between 7 - 10%?). I work around 32 hours a week, it's mostly walking back and forth with some moderate to heavy lifting involved. I haven't really worked out in a couple of months.

I generally eat between a lb and 2 lbs of meat a day. It doesn't seem to change if I'm running 5ks or sitting on my ass playing WarCraft.

But I disagree with her. I love fat: protein is what sates me. I could eat 2 lbs of chuck roast (fatty cut) and be hungry in a few hours. I could eat 1.5 lbs of sirloin (leaner cut) and be full until the next day.

Nora Gedgaudas here--author of "Primal Body-Primal Mind: Empower Your Total Health the Way Evolution Intended (...and Didn't)."  I realize this discussion took place some time ago, but I only just came across it.  Great site!  Forgive me for resurrecting the thread, but I felt the need to address some of what was said here.

First off, I consider the evolutionary approach to diet a starting place, but it’s not the whole picture.  –Nor can it be given the conditions we are forced to adapt to in our modern world.  My book is about the cultivation of TOTAL health…mental and physical—and it turns out that longevity research provides clues that just following what our ancestors did can’t---about how to further enhance not just the quantity but the quality of our health.  Although I talk about ways in which supplements can be used for different things (and, yes, sometimes supplements are necessary), I also emphasize that supplements are optional and are meant to be supplemental to a quality dietary foundation.

I am not Gary Taubes—a professional researcher and journalist, though my point of view is well researched and is more than just my opinion (see numerous references in the back of the book).  I am also not a “university professor” like Loren Cordain, nor am I an “iron man athlete” like Mark Sisson (though I am quite fit and did used to be a personal trainer once upon a time...in a galaxy far, far away).  I write from the perspective of someone who has been working in a clinical capacity for a very long time, working directly with people who utilize my suggestions and report back regularly the results they get.  I have had the occasion to observe a very great deal first-hand when it comes to what types of problems people present with, what works and what doesn’t.  I come from a very strong and passionate nutritional perspective (as a certified nutritional therapist) and also a brain perspective (as a neurofeedback provider).  Therefore my book is not just another book about “caveman diets” but makes a point of being more comprehensive in its approach to health.  It draws from a lot more than evolutionary diets.  I see the “caveman” approach to eating only as the starting point, but a necessary foundation to soundness of both body and mind.

BTW-- mTOR is clearly most strongly influenced by protein (amino acid) pathways—and particularly the branched-chain amino’s: leucine (especially), isoleucine and valine.  This is well established in the literature.

I hope this helps clarify my position and the nature of my book somewhat to those of you that may be interested.