Andy Montoya
The paleo diet is based on the concept of eating whole, unprocessed foods that hunter-gatherer ancestors ate thousands of years ago. While the exact diet of these ancestors is unknown, it is believed to have consisted of whole foods, including meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. The paleo diet discourages the consumption of processed foods, sugar, grains, and dairy. While some people on the paleo diet avoid cheese, as it is a dairy product, others include it in their diet, especially if it is full-fat or grass-fed. The decision to include cheese in the paleo diet depends on individual preferences and tolerance for dairy, as some people experience digestive issues or inflammation when consuming dairy products.
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What You'll Learn
- Dairy is not considered paleo, but some people include cheese in their paleo diet
- Cheese is high in carbs and natural sugars, which can cause inflammation
- Some people are allergic to cheese, which can cause digestive problems
- Cheese may cause sinus infections and other respiratory issues
- Goat cheese is a suitable alternative to cow's cheese
Dairy is not considered paleo, but some people include cheese in their paleo diet
The paleo diet is based on the concept of eating whole, unprocessed foods that hunter-gatherer ancestors are believed to have consumed thousands of years ago. This includes meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. The diet discourages the consumption of processed foods, grains, dairy, and legumes.
Dairy is not considered paleo because hunter-gatherers did not milk cows, and only a few populations can properly digest cow dairy in adulthood. However, some people who follow the paleo diet choose to include certain dairy products, such as full-fat dairy like butter and cheese, as well as fermented dairy products like kefir. These individuals argue that dairy is acceptable, especially if it is grass-fed, as it is believed to contain more omega-3s compared to grain-fed cow's milk. Additionally, fermented dairy products have lower lactose and casein content, which are the main concerns for paleo dieters when it comes to dairy consumption.
Some people who include cheese in their paleo diet opt for grass-fed, raw, or aged cheese, as the lactose is broken down during the aging process, making it easier to digest for those who can metabolize lactose. Others choose goat cheese, which is different from cow's milk cheese and may be better tolerated. Ultimately, the decision to include cheese in the paleo diet comes down to individual tolerance and preferences. If one's body can handle it and there are no adverse reactions, some people choose to include cheese in moderation or opt for non-dairy alternatives made with coconut, almond, or cashew milk.
It is worth noting that the paleo diet has sparked controversy among nutrition experts. While the diet discourages dairy, grains, and legumes, these foods are considered healthful and good sources of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. As with any diet, it is important to consider individual needs and preferences, and making drastic changes to one's diet should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
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Cheese is high in carbs and natural sugars, which can cause inflammation
The paleo diet is based on the concept of eating whole, unprocessed foods that hunter-gatherer ancestors are believed to have consumed thousands of years ago. This includes meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. However, the paleo diet discourages the consumption of certain food groups, such as sugar, grains, dairy, and highly processed foods.
Cheese, being a dairy product, is typically not considered paleo-friendly. While some people on the paleo diet choose to include cheese, especially if it is grass-fed or full-fat, others strictly avoid it. The decision to include or exclude cheese from the paleo diet is often based on individual preferences and tolerance to dairy.
Cheese is high in natural sugars and carbohydrates (carbs), which can cause inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a natural immune response, but chronic or prolonged inflammation can lead to various health issues. Low-level inflammation can occur in people who have difficulty digesting cow's dairy due to their body's reduced ability to produce lactase or digest casein. This can result in uncomfortable digestive issues and negatively impact overall health.
Additionally, cheese and other dairy products are not considered part of the paleo diet because hunter-gatherers did not milk cows. Instead, they relied on whole, unprocessed foods that could be hunted or gathered. However, some people on the paleo diet may choose to include cheese, especially if it is grass-fed, as it is believed to have a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids compared to grain-fed cheese.
It is important to note that the effects of cheese consumption can vary from person to person. Some individuals may tolerate cheese well and not experience any negative health consequences. Others may find that cheese causes digestive issues, allergies, or other adverse reactions. The best way to determine how cheese affects the body is to eliminate it from the diet for a period and then reintroduce it to observe any changes in health and well-being.
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Some people are allergic to cheese, which can cause digestive problems
The paleo diet is based on the concept of eating whole, unprocessed foods that hunter-gatherer ancestors ate thousands of years ago. It includes meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. Dairy products, including cheese, are typically not allowed on the paleo diet because hunter-gatherers did not milk cows. However, some people on the paleo diet do include dairy, especially full-fat, grass-fed, and fermented dairy products.
The primary strategy for managing a cheese allergy is strict avoidance of cheese and cheese-containing products. It is important to read food labels carefully and be aware of hidden sources of cheese in processed foods. Non-dairy cheese made from plants, nutritional yeast, and homemade alternatives are available for those with cheese allergies. Lactose intolerance, on the other hand, can be managed by limiting lactose consumption or taking lactase supplements to aid in digestion.
It is important to note that the decision to include cheese or other dairy products in the paleo diet is an individual one. Some people may be able to tolerate dairy without any digestive problems, while others may need to avoid it completely due to allergies or intolerance.
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Cheese may cause sinus infections and other respiratory issues
The paleo diet is designed to resemble what human hunter-gatherer ancestors ate thousands of years ago. It includes whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, nuts, seeds, and meat. Dairy is not considered paleo because hunter-gatherers did not milk cows. However, some people on the paleo diet do include dairy, especially full-fat and grass-fed dairy, as these are considered to be more nutritious and have lower lactose content.
Some people on the paleo diet choose to avoid cheese and other dairy products because they experience negative side effects. One such side effect is sinus infections. One person on a paleo diet reported that they had chronic sinus infections and, after a couple of rounds of Whole30 (a similar diet to paleo), they realized that they could not tolerate dairy. Even a small amount of dairy caused sinus trouble. They later discovered through a DNA test that they were very lactose intolerant.
Another person on the paleo diet reported that cheese made their seasonal allergies much worse, to the extent that they were prescribed an asthma inhaler and also suffered from ear infections.
The reason that some people suffer respiratory issues like sinus infections and allergies when they consume cheese may be linked to lactose intolerance. Most mammals, including humans, stop producing lactase (an enzyme that allows us to process dairy) after infancy. As a result, dairy can be bad for the gut and cause inflammation in those who are intolerant.
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Goat cheese is a suitable alternative to cow's cheese
The paleo diet is designed to resemble the diet of Paleolithic humans, who were hunter-gatherers. The diet includes whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, nuts, seeds, meat, and fish, and it discourages the consumption of processed foods, grains, dairy, and legumes. While the paleo diet is flexible and can be adapted to individual needs and preferences, dairy is generally not considered paleo because most people stop producing lactase, an enzyme that helps process dairy, after infancy.
Dairy can cause low-level inflammation in a large number of people throughout their lives, and some people on the paleo diet choose to avoid it for this reason. However, some people on the paleo diet do include dairy, especially if it is grass-fed, as this has more omega-3s. Fermented dairy products with lower lactose and casein content, such as kefir, are also consumed by some paleo eaters.
Goat cheese is a suitable alternative to cow cheese, especially for those who are allergic to or intolerant of cow's milk. Goat cheese is lower in lactose and has less of the A1 casein protein, which can cause gut inflammation. Goat cheese also contains a less harmful version of casein called A2-beta casein, which is linked to a lower risk of diabetes. Goat cheese is also lower in fat and calories compared to cow cheese, and it is higher in vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, copper, vitamin B12, riboflavin, vitamin K, niacin, and folate. Goat cheese also contains more medium-chain fatty acids, which are broken down faster in the body and used for energy rather than stored as body fat.
However, goat cheese has a stronger and sourer taste and a softer texture compared to cow cheese, which may be undesirable for some people. Additionally, individuals who are lactose intolerant or allergic to goat milk proteins may experience adverse effects from consuming goat cheese, such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, hives, itching, or severe reactions like difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese is derived from dairy, which is not considered paleo because hunter-gatherers did not milk cows. Dairy can cause low-level inflammation in adults who are unable to digest cow dairy due to their body's inability to produce lactase or digest casein. If you can digest dairy, it is an excellent source of nutrition.
The only way to know is to eliminate all dairy for at least 30 days and then reintroduce it to see how your body reacts.
Some people on the paleo diet substitute non-dairy milk products made from coconut milk, almond milk, or cashew milk. Goat cheese is also a suitable option.
