12 Paleo Myths: Eat Better than a Caveman by Matt Stone

12 Paleo Myths: Eat Better than a Caveman Reviews

• 
  Jason Fella

  I went into this book HIGHLY skeptical after reading such books as "Good Calories, Bad Calories," "The Paleo Solution" and "Primal Body, Primal Mind" all of which made me SURE carbs were nothing less than the Devil. I've been doing low carb (or at least limited carbs) for several years, hoping it would help my poor energy levels, anxiety, and depression. It hasn't. In fact I've gotten worse in that time. A lot of what Matt says makes sense, and I'm going to try it. I definitely need to get more calories into me.
  
  While this book is pretty good, it's not perfect, and could've been better. I'd like for him to have covered a little more ground, rather than have such a large section of the book devoted to success stories and anecdotes, although I did like that section. I would also have loved to hear some of his thoughts on sugar's effect on the immune-system. After reading the incredibly detailed description in "Primal Body, Primal Mind" I was hoping for some more intelligent info refuting that evidence. Some of the reviewers criticize his writing style as flippant, etc. Definitely more of a casual style, which I don't mind, and at times passionate. But he also bashes some of the Paleo "God's" like Gary Taubes, Robb Wolf, etc. rather unprofessionally at times, but I'd like to have seen a little more info on WHY they are wrong, and why he is apparently right. For example, in Taubes' and Wolf's books they present very intelligent, well-researched arguments. So does Matt, but I didn't feel the scientific weight behind Matt's argument as much. He doesn't back up his mouth with studies like Taubes does. Often his argument is simply "Robb Wolf is just wrong, and he's an idiot" and that's it. So how can they come to such different conclusions? That is the frustrating thing about health and nutrition. We have two researchers in this case (Taubes and Stone) who have access to the same studies, history, material, etc. but come to VASTLY different conclusions.
  
  The one BIG thing he says in this book, that shocked me is that eating carbs doesn't raise glucose OR insulin levels. Ok, I can see how, in a healthy person it wouldn't raise glucose levels, since insulin would be keeping that under control. But how on Earth can the basic function of insulin have been misunderstood or wrongly written about by so many highly educated people? He doesn't really do anything to explain this, simply saying it is completely false and ridiculous. If insulin doesn't lower blood sugar then why do diabetics have to take it after a meal?? If that isn't the function of insulin, then what is?? I would like to have seen some more explanation on that.
  
  So, as a former carb-phobic, I can tell you that I'm looking at carbs much differently after reading this book. I can also say that there are things about the Paleo lifestyle that I'll adhere to (don't fear meat or fat) and I'll try to find a happy medium for myself. I'd recommend checking this book out, especially if you're going Paleo or are thinking about doing it.
• 
  Doreen

  I've always had a few doubts about the paleo theory: our ancestors were hunter/gatherers, and there must have been days when hunting resulted in zilch and all they had was what was gathered. And those funny fat seeds on some of the grasses were worth a try. If you're tempted by the paleo diet, it would be a good thing to look at the opposite side before going all-out.
• 
  Melissa

  I absolutely needed to read this book. Some excellent information and I identified with so much of it.
• 
  Kristin

  Originally, I thought Matt Stone was a complete crackpot, but he's growing on me. However, that is not to say he isn't a complete crackpot...the jury is still out. Regardless, I still dislike his "trust me" attitude that apparently prevents him from providing any actual scientific evidence for his claims, but his theories are thought-provoking in any event.
  
  I've become increasingly disillusioned with the paleo mindset--to be honest I was never sold on several aspects of it and had always followed a modified version. But my extremely negative experience with a (fortunately) relatively short-term attempt at low-carb paleo has left me even more skeptical.
  
  One criticism of the book, however, is that fully half of it is just reprinted emails and forum posts from people who have experienced various health problems which may or may not be related to low-carb or paleo. Most were poorly written and each sounded pretty much just like the last. I'd argue they weren't necessary at all, but even if Stone felt these anecdotes somehow supported his case, two or three would have been more than sufficient.
• 
  Sarah

  First: Not a book. A kindled long-form blog entry. Which is okay, so long as you know that's what you're getting. It's not science and it's not research, but it is a well-curated annecdote-heavy list of refutations to the more evangelistic notions of Paleo. I would have liked there to have been a more consistent repetition of the underlying theme which is: NOTHING WORKS FOR EVERYBODY. In matters of nutrition, diet, and exercise this goes quintuple. So the book is generally written to assuage those for whom the paleo diet was not the best diet that their exhausted, malfunctioning bodies are not the result of their own failures. And Stone's style is insouciant to the point of near-Bro-ness. Which I don't mind, but others might. Recommended for paleo-failures, broken metabolisms and people just interested in seeing behind the curtain without making a lot of judgements.
• 
  BeataAnna

  I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering going on a Paleo diet. It gives great information on the other side of the argument, and very compelling at that. Although many criticize Matt Stone for his lack of scientific support and not citing any specific studies to support his arguments, I found this book to be written intelligently and convincingly. The testimonials at the end of the book was a bit of an overkill and I have to admit I only skimmed through those... Overall, a great read for anyone looking for good anti-Paleo (or any restrictive diet) arguments.
• 
  Marco

  Matt has helped a lot of people in the same way: showing how little we actually know about optimal human nutrition and how it is better to let go of the orthorexia altogether.
  
  While I don't agree with some of the things he seems to recommend, his message is much needed for many people, hence the 5 stars.
• 
  Melissa Fish

  I love Matt Stone. I'm gonna eat whatever the f*** I want from now on. Thank you for curing my grain phobias.