It’s Dangerous to Quit Grains (Sponsored by Kelloggs)
I received an interesting comment pointing me to an article on the website of the Dietitians Association of Australia (update: this has since been removed), all about the Paleo Diet. The four paragraph critique questions whether there is any merit to this way of eating. It concludes that they do not support the diet, as
It excludes nutritious core foods such as breads and cereals, and dairy foods
They are also 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, such as calcium. Like many fad diets, the Paleo Diet, is no substitute for expert, individual dietary advice from an Accredited (SIC) Practising Dietitian.
There is a lot of evidence to suggest calcium balance, rather than calcium intake is of crucial importance – something that a paleo diet promotes. Sadly they don’t mention the other nutrients they are concerned about. This would interest me greatly, as when I have tracked my daily diet I have greatly exceeded all of the micro-nutrient RDA’s (except calcium) by eating in this way.
They say Australians should eat a diet with a wide variety of food from all food groups; that meets their health needs; that is sustainable in the long term and that fits in with their lifestyle. This implies that they don’t consider a Paleo diet meets these criteria. I know I'm not alone in finding Paleo is the best diet for my health; very sustainable and fits in easily into my lifestyle. The fact that it is restrictive in not including processed foods and grains, certainly isn't what I’d call restrictive. I don’t consider grains a proper “food group” and I think my diet is far more varied than those who eat from the food pyramid.
Before I let the inaccuracies and complete lack of research and studies bother me further, I had a look at the partners of the Dietitians Association of Australia. It might surprise you to see that their partners include Kelloggs, Nestle, Unilever, Dairy Australia and the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council!
Just to be completely clear, that’s Kelloggs, who make “healthy” high-carb breakfast cereals. Nestle who make drinks, snacks, breakfast foods and confectionery – which for the most part all share grains, sugars and other un-Paleo “foods” in their ingredients lists. Unilever – whose products include margarine and diet meal replacement shakes. I think we can guess which foods Dairy Australia and the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council endorse.
Sadly I think the more popular Paleo becomes, the more we will read stories like this warning about the dangers of a Paleo diet. There just isn't the same degree of money for the food industry in real, unprocessed foods like meat and vegetables.
How can we trust an organisation that has a financial relationship with these partners, to give us true, researched dietary advice? I wonder what would happen to their partnerships if they were to take a different stance on grains?
What Happens When You Actually Quit Grains?
For all the alarmist headlines, very few critics of Paleo actually explore what happens when you stop eating grains. The reality? Most people experience significant health improvements. From reduced bloating and clearer skin to stable energy and improved blood sugar control, ditching grains is often the catalyst for transformation.
It’s important to remember that grains — particularly highly refined ones — are a modern staple, not an ancestral one. They dominate processed food products and are heavily subsidised, marketed and fortified. But the presence of fortification doesn't equal health. Adding synthetic nutrients to a product doesn’t make it nourishing — it makes it artificially compliant with government guidelines.
When people remove grains, they often increase their intake of nutrient-dense whole foods: vegetables, healthy fats, animal proteins and mineral-rich broths. These are the foods that humans have thrived on for millennia. Grains, by contrast, often displace these more beneficial options in a typical modern diet.
The Calcium Question — Again
One criticism that always rears its head is calcium. “But where will you get your calcium without dairy?” they ask. The assumption is that dairy is the only source of this vital mineral. That simply isn’t true. Leafy greens like kale, collards, and bok choy are excellent sources of calcium — and unlike dairy, they don’t come with added hormones or inflammatory proteins that affect sensitive individuals.
Moreover, it’s not just about calcium intake; it’s about calcium balance. A real food diet low in sugar and rich in magnesium, vitamin K2, vitamin D and phosphorus supports proper calcium regulation. Bone health depends on the synergy of nutrients — not simply consuming high-calcium foods. Ironically, grain-heavy diets may actually decrease calcium absorption due to the presence of phytates, which bind to minerals in the gut and inhibit uptake.
Sustainability and Variety — A Paleo Reality
It’s often said that Paleo is unsustainable. That it’s too restrictive. That it’s anti-social. But the reality is that Paleo can be tailored to fit a wide range of lifestyles, from busy families to competitive athletes to weekend foodies. With proper planning and a bit of creativity, Paleo is no more restrictive than any intentional way of eating — in fact, many people report feeling far less limited once they discover how varied their food choices can be without processed grains, seed oils, or refined sugar.
One of the beautiful things about Paleo is that it actually encourages variety. You’re not eating the same sandwich every day for lunch or reaching for another box of cereal because it's convenient. Instead, you’re trying new vegetables, experimenting with slow-cooked meats, and embracing seasonal, local produce. If anything, Paleo widens your food horizon, especially when you explore ethnic cuisines that use traditional cooking methods and whole ingredients.
Questioning the Conflict of Interest
Let’s address the elephant in the room: how can we rely on nutritional advice from organisations financially tied to ultra-processed food manufacturers? It’s not a conspiracy theory — it’s a matter of documented fact. When the same companies that manufacture sugary cereals and hydrogenated spreads are also the key sponsors of the bodies issuing dietary guidelines, how can we pretend this isn’t a conflict?
Imagine if a company selling cigarettes sponsored lung health research. You’d rightly question the findings. Yet in nutrition, this is business as usual. Public confidence in dietary recommendations is eroded every time “experts” dismiss ancestral diets in favour of branded products with nutrition labels designed by marketing departments, not by ancestral logic or biochemistry.
The Rise of Independent Nutrition
The good news? More people than ever are thinking critically about their food choices. They’re turning off the mainstream noise and doing their own research. They’re using apps to track their nutrient intake, not just calories. They’re connecting the dots between what they eat and how they feel. This is especially empowering when you realise that decades of eating by the pyramid have led to rising rates of obesity, metabolic dysfunction, autoimmune conditions, and lifestyle-related disease.
Paleo isn’t the only way to improve health, but it is a powerful reset that removes the most inflammatory elements of the modern diet and helps people reconnect with real food. It doesn't require supplements, meal replacements or a subscription. Just meat, seafood, vegetables, fruit, herbs, natural fats — and a willingness to let go of outdated food rules.
The Bottom Line
Quitting grains isn’t dangerous. It’s not extreme. And it’s certainly not irresponsible. What is dangerous is blindly following nutrition advice shaped by commercial interests that rely on keeping us hooked on addictive, low-nutrient foods.
If you’ve found better health by stepping away from the grain aisle, trust your experience. No headline or dietitian soundbite can override how your own body feels when it’s properly nourished. Keep asking questions. Keep reading ingredient labels. And most importantly, keep listening to your body — it knows more than you’ve been led to believe.
🥣 Have you been told Paleo is too restrictive or unhealthy? How do you respond when people question your grain-free lifestyle? I’d love to hear your experiences — drop a comment below.