Cavewomen Don't Get Fat (15 page)

A quality whey supplement will contain lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, serum albumin, active peptides, and growth factors, which are the most important proteins present.

Whey is a quality source of protein, but bear in mind that drinking your calories will trigger a higher insulin response. Postworkout is an ideal time to consume whey, for this very reason. Also bear in mind that although whey is a component of dairy, it's still a processed food, so use it judiciously. The same goes for goat's protein, which is derived from goat's milk. I recommend Action Whey by Emerald Essentials (see Recommended Products,
page 268
)—it is cold-processed whey from the raw milk of grass-fed cows.

If your whey is sweetened, make sure that it is plain, sweetened with stevia, or with xylitol for occasional use.

Although our Paleo ancestors didn't consume coffee or much caffeine, I believe it can still be a healthy part of a Paleo diet. If you're not a regular coffee drinker, I wouldn't advocate that you start, but if it works for you, and you're having only one cup per day, then keep on rocking. The most important piece of advice I have is to drink organic coffee, since regular coffee is a concentrated source of pesticides. No need to take on extra toxins in your body, right? The best time to drink coffee is right before your workout, because it can enhance your performance and endurance. (While you're at it, maybe you should have it before sex too!)

I admit it: I've curtailed my martini drinking days in favor of fermented grapes. And if you're going to drink booze, red wine is the best one for your health. Spanish wines are richest in antioxidants because the grapes are grown at higher altitudes and need a thicker skin to protect themselves from being closer to the sun. This means a higher antioxidant content for you and me. Our Paleo ancestors consumed small amounts of alcohol on occasion, in the form of fermented fruits; we've since taken things up a notch by fermenting grapes and drinking higher amounts of alcohol at one sitting. Use alcohol within the parameters of a cheat meal (one to two drinks max). If not, it's like hitting the pause button on your body's ability to burn fat.

So glad you asked!

The ploy of soy is a big problem. So many health benefits have been made in the name of soy. I used to eat a lot of soy products—tofu, soybeans, tempeh, soy milk—but through the years I have
unearthed some hard truths that made me think twice about consuming soy.

• Soy lacks methionine, an essential amino acid required to build muscle. I guess that's why you don't see a lot of vegetarian bodybuilders.

• Soy suppresses thyroid function because it contains phytoestrogens that can disrupt hormonal balance.

• Soybeans are high in phytic acid, which, in large amounts, can block the uptake of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc in the intestinal tract.

• Soybeans are new to the food chain of modern man; it wasn't eaten in Paleolithic times. Many people are allergic to soy and suffer with extreme gas and bloating from it. If you have any type of autoimmune condition, especially colitis or celiac disease, remove soy from your diet immediately.

• Soy is high in the amino acid arginine and can exacerbate cold sores and herpes outbreaks.

If you're trying to remove soy from your diet, know that it is often a wolf in sheep's clothing and can have many aliases. Food manufacturers are less likely to list the three-letter word
soy
than to use a technical term such as “textured vegetable protein” (TVP), “textured plant protein,” “hydrolyzed vegetable protein” (HVP), “vegetable oil,” and “MSG” (monosodium glutamate). Ingredient lists also include words such as
vegetable oil, vegetable broth, bouillon, natural flavor
, or
monoglyceride
—which may or may not come from soy. Your guess is as good as mine. Plus, most soybeans are GMOs, which means that they can upset gut function as well.

Many studies have shown that traditionally fermented soy—the form popular in Asian cultures—aids in preventing and reducing a variety of diseases, including certain forms of heart disease and cancers. But just to be safe, I recommend using these products as condiments. These include miso, natto, tempeh, soy sauces, and
fermented tofu. The fermentation process stops the effect of phytic acid and increases the availability of isoflavones, which are compounds that act as phytoestrogens. The fermentation also creates probiotics and ultimately increases the quantity, availability, digestibility, and assimilation of nutrients in the body.

Here's what you can eat during the first two weeks of Paleo Detox:

1. Meals consisting of protein, vegetables, and quality fats.

2. Determine your protein requirements (see
page 77
).

3. 1 serving of fruit after each workout.

4. No ingredients or foods with sugar and processed starches.

5. Caffeinated coffee only before workouts; green tea the rest of the day.

6. 3 green drinks per day: drink freshly juiced greens or mix 1 tablespoon PaleoGreens in 8 ounces of water or add to your postworkout protein shake; I like the lemon-lime flavor on the rocks! Available at Designs for Health (800-847-8302).

7. Drinking water and staying well hydrated is a must. So drink up, buttercup! Aim for 8 to 10 glasses per day.

During this phase, your meals will be pretty simple. I suggest that you prep all your fruits and vegetables and cook and freeze some other dishes before you start Day 1. This way you'll have enough food on hand so that you can just grab your grub and go! Since your meals will be pretty simple, keep grilled chicken breasts or other meats and cut-up vegetables in the fridge. Keep your meals clean and lean so that you can get the gorgeous results you want in no time flat. The Paleo Detox includes simple recipes because I don't want you to spend a lot of time prepping and cooking five meals and snacks a day.
If, however, you want to spice things up and be a little more ambitious, you can certainly try the recipes in Paleo Reset or Paleo Chic.

As you move into Paleo Reset and Paleo Chic, there will be additional recipes and more wiggle room when it comes to carbs and starches.

You can refer to the Paleo Recipes section (
page 195
) for the more complex meals. Bon appétit, my sweet!