I’m sort of sick of being called Paleo with a negative connotation attached. I’m sick of having my diet dismissed because of a term someone else attached to it.

So while I’ve discussed the great components of both the Primal and Paleo diet, but I’m really not either.

I mean let’s face it, no one really eats Paleolithic food so no one is really Paleo.

It is just a name. A way to describe a “philosophy.”

The name has either become a source of pride or something to mock. People either blindly follow the name or won’t give the diet a second look because of it.

BUT, even though I wouldn’t define myself as perfectly Paleo or Primal, I respect the message of both of the diets – EAT WHOLE NATURAL FOODS!

All diets THAT ARE ACTUALLY HEALTHY, no matter what you call them, should follow that basic rule – Eat whole, natural foods. Get plenty of healthy fats, proteins and vegetables and avoid process crap and gluten.

I personally believe that if you avoid gluten and vegetable oil, you will avoid the two leading causes of inflammation, which can cause serious health problems.

I also believe thought that it doesn’t mean you can just eat a ton of gluten-free products.

You also need to avoid as much processed food as possible because frankly, it is CRAP.

But whether or not corn or dairy or peanuts or beans are bad is all up to you. Certain diets say they are bad, but honestly, I think it comes down to how you feel when you eat them and the studies you choose to believe. Because, let’s face it, you can find studies to basically support anything.

At some point you have to make an educated decision about what studies to believe. And then you experiment to find what works for you.

I’ve found that corn tortillas are something I really enjoy. And they can be all natural with no crap. I find that they help me get the perfect amount of carbs to perform well and feel great.

The Primal diet doesn’t promote eating corn, but it works for me.

I also like to include full-fat cheeses and minimal cream in moderation. I don’t have a problem with dairy SO I EAT IT.

Of course, if you have a problem with dairy or follow strict Paleo, you probably won’t.

Then the amount of fat and types of fat you choose to consume are also up to you.

I’m not afraid of some saturated fat. NATURAL products contain it.

HOWEVER, I’m going to choose grass-fed or naturally raised animal products because they have a natural, appropriate ratio of omega 3s to omega 6s. Just because I’m not afraid of some saturated fat doesn’t mean I’m going to eat grain-fed, conventionally raised animals.

They do not contain the same healthy ratio of fats!

But again, it is up to you and HOW YOU FEEL! Maybe you are still a bit more fat-o-phobic even though you eat whole natural foods.

Anyway, stop worrying about the name of your diet.

Whatever you call it, if you eat whole natural foods, you are on the right track! Then it just comes down to exactly what foods you choose to include.

Also, this leads me to a quick fasting update….I used to do intermittent fasting almost every day. Now I’ve varied it up more and I’ve found I’ve gotten even better results. I train fasted still, but only in the mornings. At night, I generally train after eating a small meal.

I’ve found that I get the best results training in this way. I also find that I’m listening to my body more by not forcing myself to fast till a certain time every day.

Again though….it is up to you to find what works! You can find a bazillion suggestions, articles that tell you to never fast and articles that promote fasting for 24 hours at a time. But it comes down to what works for you – to self-experimentation (which I’ve written about so many times!).