The Athlete and the Caveman
September 30, 2004
By: Certified Strength Coach Kim Goss

Featured in the September/October Issue of: Bigger, Faster, Stronger Magazine

A Ridiculously Easy Guide To Good Nutrition

One of the most famous supporters of the Paleo Diet is Charles Poliquin, a strength coach who has worked with more than 400 Olympians and hundreds of professional athletes. Says Poliquin, " The data by researchers of Paleolithic nutrition do not support the traditional food pyramid endorsed by most dietitians nor give credence to the "natural diets" advocated by granola-heads, fruitarians, vegetarians, natural hygienists and macrobiotic suicidals. Although I often allow my athletes to have some pasts or bread on their 'cheat day,' I believe that a large segment of the population has yet to adapt to processing grains. In fact, only about 25% of my athletes can handle grains on a regular basis."

With all the concern about obesity in the country, especially among children, a Paleolithic approach to nutrition would help, because it contains high levels of lean protein. Says Cordain, "Lean protein has been shown repeatedly to be the most satiating of all three macronutrients. Numerous clinical trials have shown that people eat fewer calories during a high-protein meal compared to high-fat or carbohydrate meals, and they eat fewer calories at the meal immediately following a high-protein meal. Finally, lean protein has two to three times the thermic effect of either carbohydrate or fat - meaning that it elevates the metabolism five to ten percent higher than when either carbohydrate or fat are consumed." Just ask Dan John.

John, a former nationally ranked discuss thrower and weightlifter who was featured in the Winter 2003 issue of BFS, used the basic concepts of the Paleo Diet several years ago to lose approximately 50 pounds of fat within a few months. What's more, John, who is still winning championships in the master's competition, said the weight loss had no adverse effects on his performance.

If you're an athlete and want to fulfill your athletic potential or if you are simply looking for a scientifically sound nutritional system to improve the quality of your life, consider the Paleo Diet. What's more, because most of the foods consumed on a Paleo Diet are raw and the foods that must be cooked are easy to prepare, it's the perfect diet for today's fast-paced lifestyle. Just ask Charles Poliquin.

"One of my favorite mottoes about the Paleolithic Diet is 'If it does not fly, swim, or run and it's not green, don't eat it!" he says. "When I begin working with new clients, especially those who are overweight, I tell them to eat only those foods that fit into those guidelines. If you have any doubts about putting a certain food in your mouth, ask yourself this question: 'Would a caveman have had access to this food?' If the answer is no, don't eat it!"

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