Questions!

**Portia**

Questions about some stuff I have come acrross on other threads in this forum.

1. Omega3, 6 ratio

What is this and how do I get the ratio right as a layperson (i.e not a nutritionist, are there any rules to follow which will ensure i get the ratio correct)

2. Dairy
I know that dairy is not great - mucus forming, provokes reactions in many, not natural to drink milk after infancy esp that of another mammal etc but, what are the benefits and do the outweigh the disadvantages at all?

3. Paleo Diet

I understand most of the principals but I don't get why sweet potatoes and parsnips are 'in' but white potatoes are 'out'. Surely our ancestors had as much access and consumed all of these equally?

Also, if the diet is low-carb it should be high fat right?? Yet the meat must be lean.

Then again, fruit and root veg are allowed which are cabs so is it therefore low fat instead?

What goes on in your body when eating this kind of diet that makes you lose weight?

As always I am asking lots of qs and am eager to learn so would appreciate any feedback to any/all of the above although I understand if ppl are fed up answering these types of qs for the ignorant like me!!:o I am trying to find a diet to suit me and ?I think Paleo might be the way forward but want to do some ressearch first (yeah i know, buy the book lol)

columok

Portia wrote:

What is this and how do I get the ratio right as a layperson (i.e not a nutritionist, are there any rules to follow which will ensure i get the ratio correct)

At the start assuming you've been eating a neolithic diet for most of your life you'll probably need superdoses of Omega 3s from a good fishoil. The robb wolf fish oil calculator is good for these purposes.

http://whole9life.com/fish-oil/

Hard to say though without knowing your weight and diet to date!!!

Portia wrote:

I know that dairy is not great - mucus forming, provokes reactions in many, not natural to drink milk after infancy esp that of another mammal etc but, what are the benefits and do the outweigh the disadvantages at all?

Dairy has a lot of cheap protein and fat! It's readily available. How much you need it depends on your life situation, training level etc. etc.

Portia wrote:

I understand most of the principals but I don't get why sweet potatoes and parsnips are 'in' but white potatoes are 'out'. Surely our ancestors had as much access and consumed all of these equally?

I think potatoes are much higher GI, can cause gut irritation and are much less nutrient dense.

Portia wrote:

Also, if the diet is low-carb it should be high fat right?? Yet the meat must be lean.

The lean meat thing is largely based on american grainy feedlot meat. If you're eating a lot of wild or grassfed meat then fat is something to have plenty of.

Portia wrote:

Then again, fruit and root veg are allowed which are cabs so is it therefore low fat instead?

Nope. Veg (non-root) tends to be low carb and root vegetables and fruit in reasonable quantities will still be significantly lower in carb than most diets. That being said paleo isn't strictly low carb but it can be!

Portia wrote:

What goes on in your body when eating this kind of diet that makes you lose weight?

By removing the high GI foods and the subsequent insulin reaction your body no longer stores fat constantly and begins to tap into its own fat reserves. Also its very hard to max out your calorie intake on a paleo diet as protein is so filling!