Being challenged is good.  That’s probably why we feel so good after a workout, when Karissa has been screaming in our ear and we set a PR.  It makes us stronger.  It is no different with our brains.  Just like our legs need to be on fire, our brains need to pushed to the limits.  One of the problems with CrossFit is that many people tend to fall into groupthink and take everything they hear as the Gospel.  Do I agree with everything that Greg Glassman, the founder of CrossFit, has to say?  No, and I’m not ashamed to say I had a tiny internet spat with him a while ago. Do I still think CrossFit is the best program for health, well being, and increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains?  Yes.  Arguing is good.  Remember, just because you read it, that doesn’t mean it is true.

My proposition is that carbohydrate restriction, and more specifically the Paleo Diet, is the best way to health and wellness.  A poster named Harvey engaged me in an interesting debate, where he proposed that a vegan diet comprising 7% fat is optimal.  It made me realize that since going “Paleo,” I hadn’t read a single thing supporting the vegan position, which, admittedly works for weightloss and reversing heart disease in at least some people.  In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were equally as good as a low carb diet for weight loss and prevention of diabetes and the like.  He actually brought up some interesting points.

I thought it only fair that I give the vegetarian/vegan argument its fair share of time in the spotlight and our athletes a different perspective on diet.  From what Harvey suggested I read, I gather that the proponents of a vegetarian/vegan diet argue that.

1) Humans are probably meant to be herbivores.

2) Diets low in fat–7% in the case of McDougall–are optimal for human health and longevity.

3) Starches like pasta, potatoes, legumes, and whole grains are the preferred source of energy for our body, not fat and ketones, as low-carbers/paleo-dieters would argue.

4) It is the fat in our diets, not the carbohydrates, that bring about modern diseases.

5) Meat based diets are bad for the environment and–insofar as livestock producers raise animals in inhumane conditions–unethical.

I am by no means an expert on nutrition or what the vegan model for proper nutrition is, but I’ll give you some interesting sites that Harvey put in for me.  For the whole discussion, see this link.

Surprisingly enough, I agree with a lot that vegans have to say about processed foods and the efficacy of non-processed food.  Read for yourself:

Dr. McDougall on paleo diets and human anatomy:

http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall/030700pumeatinthehumandiet.htm

Wikipedia on vegetarianism:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegitarianism

Dean Ornish on diet:

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/63/71896.htm

Here is the discussion between me and Harvey.

Disclaimer: I tried vegetarianism once and was not impressed with the results.

Post your comments by clicking on the title.

-Nick