Paleolithic Diet

Go Grains Health and Nutrition does not support the Paleolithic Diet as it promotes the exclusion of nutritious core foods such as breads and cereals.

Core grain-based foods, including bread, breakfast cereal, crispbreads, rice and pasta make a significant contribution to Australian nutrient intakes and play a valuable role in healthy eating.
 
The latest national survey of Australian children’s nutritional intake, Kids Eat, Kids Play1 published in 2008, shows that cereal and cereal products were one of the leading contributors to 9 key nutrients – fibre, folate, niacin, thiamine, iron, zinc, magnesium, protein and carbohydrate, essential for energy, growth, brain function and immunity.

A diet high in wholegrain foods is linked with better health. People who eat more wholegrain foods tend to have a lower BMI and are less likely to be overweight than those people who eat less wholegrain foods2. Eating 2 – 3 serves of wholegrain foods a day is also linked to lower risk of developing chronic disease, including heart disease3, type 2 diabetes4 and certain cancers5.

The latest evidence indicates that Australians need to eat more, not less core grain foods including more wholegrain and high fibre foods, while limiting intake of grain-based foods high in fat and sugar such as cakes, pastries, biscuits and takeaway foods. 

A national consumption study in 20116 found Australians are not meeting their recommended “4+ serves a day”, despite the current Australian Dietary Guidelines recommending “eat plenty of cereals (including breads, rice, pasta, and noodles), preferably wholegrain”.  Consumption of grain foods by adults and children has significantly decreased by almost one serve – 3.2 serves a day in 2011, compared to 4.1 serves in 2009.

Go Grains recommends Australians seek expert advice from an Accredited Practising Dietitian if they are considering cutting out an entire staple food group from their diet. Go Grains Health and Nutrition position on the Paleolithic diet is in alignment with the position of the Dietitians Association of Australia:
“The Dietitians Association of Australia does not support the diet, as its recommendations are not in line with those of the Dietary Guidelines for Australians. While the Paleo Diet has some good features (such as promoting fruit and vegetables, lean meat and fish), it excludes nutritious core foods such as breads and cereals, and dairy foods.

DAA is concerned that the Paleo Diet encourages restrictive eating – an approach that is not sustainable in the long-term. And by banning certain nutritious foods, followers of the diet will be at a greater risk of falling short on important nutrients.”

 References
1  2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Main Findings. Commonwealth of Australia 2008.
2 Williams PG, Grafenauer SJ, O’Shea JE. Cereal grains, legumes and weight management: a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence. Nutrition Reviews. 2008; 66(4):171-82
3 De Moura F, Whole grain intake and cardiovascular disease and whole grain intake and diabetes review (available at http://www.lsro.org/articles/wholeGrainIntake.html). 2008, Life Sciences Research Office: Bethesda, MA.
4 Priebe M, van Binsbergen J, de Vos R, and Vonk Roel J. Whole grain foods for the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008(1).
5 Jacobs D, Marquart L, Slavin J, and Kushi L. Whole-grain intake and cancer: an expanded meta-analysis. Nutrition and Cancer. 1998;30(2):85-96.
6 Project Go Grain, Colmar Brunton 2011

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Wheat Intolerance

Core grain-based foods (predominantly wheat), including bread, breakfast cereal, crispbreads and pasta make a significant contribution to Australian nutrient intakes and play a valuable role in healthy eating.

The latest national survey of Australian children’s nutritional intake, Kids Eat, Kids Play1  published in 2008, shows that cereal and cereal products were one of the leading contributors to 10 key nutrients – fibre, folate, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, iron, zinc, magnesium, protein and carbohydrate, essential for children’s energy, growth, brain function and immunity.

A new national consumption study2 has found Australians are not meeting their recommended 4+ serves a day, despite the current Australian Dietary Guidelines recommending “eat plenty of cereals (including breads, rice, pasta, and noodles), preferably wholegrain”. Worryingly, given the contribution that grain foods make to the diet, consumption amongst children has significantly decreased by almost half a serve – 2.7 serves a day in 2011, compared to 3.1 in 2009.

Self-diagnosis of wheat intolerance appears to be increasing, with the survey indicating that one in five women limit wheat in their diet with a third of those women self-diagnosing wheat intolerance.

Food insensitivities should be taken seriously. Go Grains, Australia’s leading independent voice for grain foods and legumes in health and nutrition, recommends Australians seek expert advice from an Accredited Practising Dietitian if they are concerned that they or their families may be displaying an allergic reaction or intolerance to wheat before cutting out a staple food from their diet.

The latest evidence indicates that Australians need to eat more core grain foods including more wholegrain and high fibre foods, while limiting intake of non-core refined grain-based foods such as cakes, pastries, biscuits and takeaway foods.

References
1 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Main Findings. Commonwealth of Australia 2008.
2 Project Go Grain, Colmar Brunton 2011