There's an interesting talk at the Sydney Opera House tomorrow, as part of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. The talk is entitled “What We Are and What We Eat”, by Jonathan Safran Foer. Foer has written a book called “Eating Animals”, and it sounds like he has a strong vegan, anti-Paleo agenda.
From what I've read, it looks like he is very concerned about cheap, factory farmed animal produce, which is a viewpoint I completely agree with. However, whilst I tackle this by sourcing very good quality, grass fed, organic meat, with a minimal degree of separation between myself and the farmer – I wonder if Foer's approach is tofu and grains?
I'm always interested in hearing and understanding differing viewpoints about diets and food sustainability, so I'm quite tempted to go along.
Must remember to take some beef jerky with me, I think they only sell sweets & crisps at the Opera House…
Paleo vs Vegan: Are We Really So Different?
There’s nothing quite like the topic of food to stir up passionate debate – and few dietary camps are as seemingly opposed as Paleo and vegan. On the surface, it looks like a black-and-white issue: one embraces animal products, the other avoids them entirely. But scratch beneath the surface, and you might be surprised by how much common ground there really is.
The talk by Jonathan Safran Foer at the Sydney Opera House, part of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, is a brilliant example of how important these conversations are. They force us to examine what we believe – and more importantly, why we believe it. When it comes to the ethics of eating animals, sustainability, and modern food systems, both the Paleo and vegan movements raise compelling arguments that are well worth hearing.
What Paleo and Vegan Diets Have in Common
At first glance, Paleo and vegan lifestyles seem worlds apart. One champions grass-fed steak; the other praises lentils and tofu. But look a little closer, and you’ll see that both approaches:
- Reject processed, industrialised food
- Advocate for whole, nutrient-dense ingredients
- Emphasise seasonal, local, and sustainable sourcing
- Are rooted in a desire for better health and ethical choices
In fact, many long-term Paleo eaters start their journey by cutting out processed food, seed oils, sugar, and factory-farmed meat – which aligns closely with a wholefood vegan’s commitment to clean eating. The difference often comes down to one core question: is it ethical and sustainable to eat animals?
The Ethical Dilemma: Animals, Agriculture, and Accountability
One of Foer’s major criticisms – and a view shared by many vegans – is the cruel and unsustainable nature of factory farming. And here’s the truth: they’re absolutely right. Industrial animal agriculture is an ethical and environmental disaster. Confined animals, antibiotics, monoculture feed crops, and long, inhumane supply chains are all in direct conflict with both ancestral health and environmental stewardship.
This is where thoughtful Paleo advocates differentiate themselves. We don’t support factory-farmed meat either. We actively seek out pasture-raised, grass-fed, ethically sourced animals – ideally from local producers where we know how the animals are treated and what they’re fed. In many cases, the farmer is as much a part of the community as the butcher, grocer, or gardener.
So while vegans reject all animal consumption on principle, many Paleo eaters reject industrial meat while embracing regenerative animal farming as part of a sustainable ecosystem.
What About the Environment?
Veganism is often hailed as the most environmentally sustainable way to eat – and in some respects, this is true. Industrial meat production contributes significantly to greenhouse gases, water consumption, and deforestation. But when you consider regenerative grazing models, the picture changes.
Properly managed grazing can improve soil health, support biodiversity, and even sequester carbon. Local, pasture-raised livestock are part of a natural cycle – fertilising the land, controlling weeds, and helping restore damaged ecosystems. In Australia, regenerative farmers are proving that meat production can be done responsibly and sustainably.
Meanwhile, many plant-based staples like soy, almond milk, or out-of-season avocados often require monoculture farming, significant water resources, or long-distance transportation. There’s no perfect system – and both sides must make trade-offs. But the key takeaway is this: how food is grown matters more than what category it falls into.
Is Tofu Paleo? (Spoiler: Not Really)
In posts like this, people often ask, “But what about tofu?” It’s a vegan staple – high in protein, easy to cook, and widely available. But from a Paleo perspective, soy is generally off the table. Here’s why:
- Soy is often genetically modified and heavily sprayed with pesticides
- It contains phytoestrogens, which may disrupt hormone balance
- It’s a legume – and many Paleo eaters avoid legumes due to antinutrients like phytic acid
That said, it’s not about demonising foods – it’s about understanding how they affect the body. Traditional fermented soy products like miso or tempeh might be better tolerated by some, but they’re still not considered Paleo by strict standards.
Food as Identity
Diet is never just about nutrition – it’s tied up in culture, ethics, and identity. Whether you’re sitting at a vegan café in Newtown or tucking into lamb chops from your local farmers market, the food you choose says something about how you see the world.
What’s refreshing is when people – like the attendees at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas – are willing to listen to opposing views without judgement. These are the conversations that move us forward. They also remind us that we all care deeply about food – where it comes from, how it’s made, and how it impacts our bodies and the planet.
Can Paleo and Vegan Ever Coexist?
While it's unlikely we'll see a Paleo-Vegan fusion café anytime soon (though stranger things have happened in Sydney), there’s room for overlap. Here’s how:
- Both can celebrate seasonal, organic produce from local farms
- Both can support food sovereignty, farmers markets, and transparent labelling
- Both can champion fermented foods, healthy fats (like avocado and olive oil), and sustainability
- Both can benefit from understanding the ancestral roots of human nutrition
There’s even a term – “Pegan” – used to describe people who combine elements of both diets. While it’s not technically strict Paleo or vegan, it’s an interesting sign of how people are seeking middle ground between these philosophies.
So… Did I Attend the Talk?
Yes, I did bring my beef jerky. And yes, I found the talk thought-provoking, even if I didn’t agree with all of Foer’s conclusions. But that’s the point. Hearing someone else’s perspective – especially when it challenges your own – is what makes conversations around food so important. It forces us to think, re-evaluate, and sometimes even strengthen our own beliefs.
And who knows – maybe a vegan in the audience left thinking more critically about food miles, regenerative agriculture, or the health impacts of ultra-processed soy products. Or maybe someone Paleo-curious discovered they could go a little lighter on the meat and heavier on the veg, and still stay true to ancestral eating.
Final Thoughts on Paleo vs Vegan
At the end of the day, the best diet is one you can sustain – physically, ethically, and emotionally. Whether that includes animal products or not, we all benefit from eating real food, supporting responsible farming, and staying curious.
Food doesn’t have to be a battleground. It can be a bridge – between people, between philosophies, and between the modern world and our ancestral roots.
How do you navigate the Paleo vs vegan debate? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Do you avoid soy and grains? Have you found common ground with vegan friends or family? Let’s keep the conversation going.
