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Why I’m eating margarine & 6 other non Paleo foods again

I've been thinking a lot about my diet recently, and I'm getting a little worried that being fully Paleo maybe isn't the healthiest choice I can make. After speaking to several health experts recently, and reading up on the latest government recommendations, I've started to get really worried about how healthy my Paleo diet really is. Despite my blog being all about the Paleo diet, it's only fair that I'm honest with you and share my concerns and fears.

I'm concerned that I'm not getting enough calcium, fibre or carbohydrates. I've also started to get really worried about how much more fat I've been consuming, especially when compared to what the government recommend. I'm suspecting I'm eating way too much fat, and probably more meat and eggs than I should as well. I've read several times this week that it's dangerous to eat more than one egg a day, especially if you eat the yolk. Something has got to change…

In fact, I'm considering if Paleo is a healthy choice altogether. I've been pondering whether there are a lot of very healthy, nutritious foods that I'm excluding from my diet by continuing to be Paleo. I'm going to initially work on reintroducing the following foods, in the hope I start to feel even more healthy, before committing to a really healthy low fat diet for a month. Here are the seven foods I'm going to start eating again, starting today. I'll be reporting back on my progress and would love to hear your thoughts on the new additions to my modified paleo diet.

Margarine

With my new found concerns about cholesterol and eating high fat, the first, and most obvious decision for me to make was to swap coconut nut oil and grass fed ghee for heart healthy margarine. I'm going to try to find an organic margarine, and make sure I choose a brand that is heart healthy. This was a hard decision to make, but I'm becoming convinced a very healthy one – as margarine is much lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, which means I’m much less likely to get heart disease. Carrots drenched in margarine doesn't sound as appealing as butter, but I'll just have to get used to it for the good of my health.

Vegetable Oil

Have you seen the saturated fat content of butter, lard, ghee and coconut oil? I’m going to throw away my olive oil and swap it with healthy vegetable oil. This should also help keep my cholesterol levels low as it's low in saturated fat. Also it's vegetable oil, so will help me get towards my five a day.

Quorn Mince

I've also been reading a lot about how badly meat clogs up your arteries and is really hard to digest, so I'm planning to start with meatless Monday's and reduce my meat consumption dramatically. I’ve decided to replace my organic, grass fed ground beef with healthy vegan Quorn mince. It’s made from rehydrated mycoprotein extracted from the fungus ‘Fusarium Venenatum.’ I'm not really sure what that is, but Quorn is really low in fat and has no unhealthy animal fats, so it is obviously very healthy. I've also discovered that Quorn make healthy, meat free bacon slices and chicken fillets too. So really, I'm not even going to notice I've gone meat free.

Soy Milk

I've been having very little dairy in my paleo diet – and despite my recent body scan showing I have an excellent bone density, I clearly must be highly deficient in calcium. I've just bought my first bottle of soy milk, so I'll be making sure I drink a lot of this each day, as well as skim milk to give my calcium levels a big boost. I must be honest, I opened the bottle and it did not smell good, but if I add some hot chocolate to it, it should hopefully take away the taste.

Whole grain cereal

There are so many revolutionary new whole grain cereals out there now, compared to when I started eating Paleo. I've even found a special range specifically designed to promote heart health, which makes me question if I'm right to continue to start the day with a high fat meal? These technologically advanced cereals do seem to be an easy way to start the day, providing lots of healthy carbohydrates for energy. The one I'm looking forward to trying the most is Kellogg’s Special K Multi Grain – it contains FOUR different types of healthy grains and is almost fat free. I’ll make sure I have it with soy or skim milk.

Coca Cola Zero

Pretty much all I've been drinking for the last few years has been water and tea. I've hear it's bad to omit variety which has been concerning me. I haven’t had a can of Coca Cola in so long because I'd convinced myself it was unhealthy, but they now make a version with no sugar at all. Who knows what it is sweetened with, but I can’t wait to try one again. The people in the TV adverts always look positively glowing with health and I'm quite keen to have some of what they're having. It’s got no sugar, so it must be healthy, as we all know how bad sugar is for us.

Low Fat Snack Bars

In case I do get hungry between meals (which I'm sure I won’t, as all of the carbohydrates I’ll be eating with provide me with lots of energy) I’ll make an effort to reach for a low fat snack bar rather than a cholesterol-loaded hard boiled egg, home made jerky, or a handful of nuts as I have been doing. There are so many different flavours these days, and a lot of them are healthy whole grain. Some even are fruit flavoured, which will help me get to my five a day.

Since I've made this decision I've realised a lot of these foods don't need to be kept in the fridge and don't seem to go off – so this is going to make life so much easier for me – another benefit to adapting my diet.

Are there any healthy non Paleo foods that you are going to add back to your diet? Let me know what you've added back and why in the comments below.

How people react when I tell them I eat paleo 6 reactions diet healthy eating-min

The 6 Most Common Reactions When I Say I Eat Paleo

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In a world where different cultures, races, religions and sexualities gain more acceptance than ever before, it never fails to surprise me how much shock and confusion people express when I explain to them about my Paleo lifestyle. It’s amazing how even though the knowledge is out there for everyone to access, so many people choose to ignore it and follow conventional wisdom. When explaining how I choose to live and eat, I'm usually hit with a barrage of questions. These are the most common reactions:

1. So what do you actually eat?

By far the most common, and perhaps the most stupid question people ask me is ‘what do you actually eat!?’ When I tell them that I don’t eat grains, sugar, dairy, or processed food, people seriously struggle to contemplate what would be on my plate at meal times. ‘So no pizza? No bread? How do you survive?’ I don’t just survive; I thrive, and feel healthier every day. Instead of explaining to people what I don’t eat, I now tell them all the wonderful things I do eat instead. Meat, fish, loads of veggies, nuts, coconut, fruit, even the odd bit of dark chocolate. I find this generates a much more welcome response.

2. But doesn't eating meat give you colon cancer?

No. No it doesn't. Do your research – meat is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, and if you don’t eat it, you’d feel much healthier and stronger if you did.

3. How can you be healthy without whole grains?

The amount of people that are still tricked into believing that whole grains are healthy is startling. If I have the energy, I’ll explain to them about anti nutrients, lectins, gluten, phytic acid and intestinal permeability. If I don’t, I’ll simply tell them that vegetables are much more nutrient dense and therefore healthier.

4. But how do you get your calcium?

‘Calcium makes your bones grow stronger’ said the famous Petit Filous advert. Many people ask me how I get my calcium without dairy – when I just tell them how kale, broccoli, sesame and almonds are my friends – and how it’s also important to balance your calcium levels with adequate magnesium and other trace elements, if you really want strong bones.

5. So do you run around chasing wild animals with a spear (sarcastic laugh)

The more facetious opposition will often snigger and make a very silly comment implying that a ‘caveman’ lifestyle has no relevance in the modern day world. I’ll often explain to them how my workouts replicate real life situations that our ancestors would have found themselves in – including weightlifting, sprint training, and CrossFit. I’ll then go on to tell them what a difference this has made to my body composition and general fitness. Sometimes though, I’ll just laugh and say ‘Yes. Yes I do. Don’t you?’

6. And what’s with the shoes? Aren't they bad for your joints?

Once again, the way modern day marketing has invaded the vulnerable brains of our fellow humans amazes me. When people see me running in my Vibrams, they genuinely believe that I'm going to cause serious damage to my knees, ankles and spine because there isn't enough ‘cushioning.’ Quite honestly, this one doesn't even warrant a response!

These are just a few of the questions I am faced with whenever I tell people about how I live. Have I missed any? What are the funniest reactions you've ever received when you tell people you are Paleo?

The Broader Social Reactions to Eating Paleo

One of the most interesting aspects of following a Paleo lifestyle isn’t just the food — it’s navigating the social reaction it often triggers. Unlike some dietary choices that people seem to accept without question, saying you eat Paleo often prompts immediate curiosity, confusion, or even debate. For a way of eating rooted in ancestral health and whole foods, it certainly seems to provoke disproportionate scrutiny.

There’s a cultural assumption that if your choices don’t align with conventional nutrition advice — like eating whole grains, low-fat dairy, and avoiding saturated fats — you must be misinformed. This can make conversations around Paleo exhausting, especially when you’re met with an air of smug scepticism rather than genuine curiosity. And yet, these exchanges are often opportunities in disguise — chances to plant seeds, share ideas, and maybe even inspire change.

Understanding the Root of the Reactions

The intensity of these reactions often comes down to how entrenched food beliefs have become. From government dietary guidelines to decades of marketing campaigns, we've been programmed to believe that cereal is a healthy breakfast, low-fat yoghurt is essential, and red meat is a danger to our arteries. When someone lives outside of those guidelines, it can be jarring to people who haven’t questioned the mainstream narrative.

There’s also an emotional component to food. It’s not just about nutrients — it’s about identity, culture, and comfort. When someone rejects the foods others see as staples, it can feel like a personal judgment, even if that’s not the intention. Understanding this helps make sense of why people sometimes react so strongly to the mention of Paleo.

Why the Paleo Lifestyle Seems Threatening

The Paleo lifestyle often implies effort — meal prepping, label reading, cooking from scratch, and staying active. For people who feel stuck in their own habits or overwhelmed by the idea of change, hearing about someone else's discipline or intentionality can stir up feelings of guilt or defensiveness. It’s not really about your lunch of grilled lamb and roasted cauliflower — it’s about what it represents.

And then there’s the deeper threat: that if Paleo principles actually make sense, it means the conventional wisdom they’ve trusted might be flawed. That’s a difficult realisation to grapple with, especially for those who’ve followed the guidelines to the letter and still struggle with their health.

Finding Connection Instead of Conflict

Rather than treating every reaction as a challenge to defend against, it can help to reframe them as moments of connection. Often, people ask questions because they’re genuinely curious — they’ve seen you looking healthier, stronger, or more energetic, and they want to know more. Even sarcastic comments usually come from a place of uncertainty or misunderstanding, not malice.

Over time, I’ve learned to tailor my responses. Some people are ready for a deep dive into nutrition science and ancestral health. Others just want to know if I ever eat cake. Either way, approaching conversations with empathy rather than exasperation goes a long way. No one ever changed their views because someone made them feel stupid.

When to Share — and When Not To

There’s a time and place for sharing your Paleo perspective. Not every BBQ or office lunch is the moment to unpack the problems with seed oils or the myth of whole grains. Sometimes, just living by example — looking well, feeling great, and not making a fuss — is the best advocacy there is.

That said, if someone is struggling with their own health and comes to you with questions, it’s an invitation to share. These are often the most rewarding conversations, where you can share not only what you eat, but why it matters and how it’s changed your life. For many of us, Paleo isn’t just about food — it’s about reclaiming our energy, mood, mobility, and self-confidence.

Making Paleo Your Normal

The more time you spend eating Paleo, the less it feels unusual — even when the people around you don’t get it. Over time, you’ll likely find new friends who share your outlook, favourite cafes that cater to your needs, and go-to meals that make staying on track effortless. What once felt radical or isolating begins to feel like second nature.

And here’s the irony: while you might still get the occasional eyebrow raise or snide remark, you’ll also be the one people turn to when they’re ready to make a change. Whether it’s because of weight gain, fatigue, or a health scare, many people eventually reach a point where they’re ready to question the status quo. When they do, you’ll be there — living proof that there’s another way.

Final Thoughts

Choosing to eat Paleo isn’t just about food — it’s about opting out of a broken system. It’s about trusting your body, honouring your ancestry, and building a lifestyle that supports long-term vitality. And while it may invite some awkward conversations or unsolicited opinions, it also invites transformation — for you, and potentially, for the people around you.

If you’ve experienced your own funny, frustrating, or inspiring conversations about Paleo, share them in the comments. Let’s keep normalising this way of living — one reaction at a time.

Swapping Red Meat for Whole Grains?

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I found this enlightening little article in November’s “Good Health” magazine (I wish they’d be more accurate and add “not” before the magazine name). When will they get over their obsession with “Health Whole Grains”?

The article tells us to “replace one serving of red meat a day with one serving of nuts, low-fat dairy or whole grains”, which apparently will significantly reduce your risk of developing type two diabetes. This really misleading (and anti Paleo!); it makes it sound like replacing your organic, grass-fed steak with a few slices of carb-heavy whole grains will actually be a positive health move! It’s becoming widely accepted that the blood sugar rise caused by carbohydrates causes the problem – not consumption of good quality red meat.

Looking into the actual study, it is apparent that processed AND unprocessed red meat have been put into the same category. It’s no wonder processed meat, with all the additives and chemicals would have a detrimental effect on health. Also, people who eat processed meats are, I would argue, are more likely to eat without concern for their health, with the rest of their diets. Reading further, the study was not a clinical study, but an observational study, based on questionnaires over a 20-year period. Unless a study is controlled, or subjects are monitored around the clock, how accurate are their survey responses anyway?

Red Meat vs Whole Grains: What’s Really Behind the Headlines?

The mainstream media’s continued demonisation of red meat, especially in favour of so-called “healthy whole grains,” is not only misleading — it’s downright dangerous for public health. These articles often rely on outdated or poorly interpreted science and completely ignore the nuance between industrially processed food and real, nutrient-dense options like organic, grass-fed red meat.

So why is red meat still getting the blame for conditions like type 2 diabetes, when increasing evidence suggests that refined carbohydrates and sugar are the true culprits? And more importantly, who stands to benefit from this narrative?

The Problem with Observational Studies

The study referenced in the “Good Health” article was observational — which means it was based on self-reported data from participants, often collected through food frequency questionnaires. These surveys rely on memory, honesty, and consistency, which is hardly reliable over a 20-year period. Moreover, observational studies can only point to associations, not causation.

What this means is that even if people who ate more red meat had a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes, it does not prove that red meat was the cause. It could be that those individuals also consumed more processed food, smoked, exercised less, or had other lifestyle factors not adequately accounted for.

Processing Matters: Bacon Is Not the Same as Beef

One of the biggest flaws in this and many similar studies is lumping all forms of red meat into a single category. A homemade beef stew made with grass-fed chuck steak is not nutritionally comparable to a supermarket sausage roll loaded with preservatives, hydrogenated oils, and fillers. Yet both are categorised under “red meat.”

This lack of distinction does a great disservice to the real-food movement. People are discouraged from eating nourishing, bioavailable foods like liver, steak, and slow-cooked brisket — and instead steered towards low-fat dairy and whole grains that spike blood sugar and leave people hungry again within hours.

Whole Grains and Blood Sugar: Not as Innocent as They Seem

Whole grains are often portrayed as a “slow release” carbohydrate. While they are less refined than white flour products, they still break down into glucose and cause a significant insulin response. For people with insulin resistance, pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome, this ongoing blood sugar rollercoaster can be deeply damaging over time.

Unlike red meat, which is rich in iron, zinc, B vitamins, and high-quality protein — and has virtually no impact on blood sugar — grains offer very little in terms of essential nutrients. Most are fortified to add back the vitamins lost during processing. And let’s not forget the common anti-nutrients found in grains, like phytates and lectins, which can interfere with mineral absorption and damage the gut lining in sensitive individuals.

Red Meat: A Nutritional Powerhouse

Far from being a dietary villain, red meat is one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. A single serving of grass-fed beef provides a full spectrum of amino acids, vitamin B12 (essential for nerve function and red blood cell formation), highly absorbable iron, and healthy fats — particularly if the fat is from a pasture-raised animal.

In fact, several modern diseases could be worsened by a lack of these nutrients. Fatigue, poor immunity, muscle weakness and mood disorders can all stem from a deficiency in B vitamins or iron — both abundant in red meat.

The Grain Industry’s Influence on Public Health Messaging

One has to ask: why do so many public health messages still push grains, despite mounting evidence that they aren’t essential and may even be harmful for some individuals? The answer lies in economics. Grain crops are cheap to produce, easy to store, and highly profitable. Many of the world's largest food companies rely on grain-based products as their cornerstone revenue streams.

This influence seeps into media messaging, nutrition guidelines, and even public school meal plans. Meanwhile, red meat is often painted as unsustainable or elitist, despite regenerative farming practices that show quite the opposite when done correctly.

Making Evidence-Based Food Choices

Rather than blindly following media soundbites or nutritional fads, a better approach is to ask: what does your body need to thrive? Real food, in its most natural state, is usually the answer. That means a plate with a foundation of protein and fat from quality animal sources, paired with seasonal vegetables and perhaps a small amount of fruit or root vegetables for carbohydrate, depending on individual needs.

Grains, on the other hand, are not necessary for health. Some people tolerate them well in small amounts, but they’re not essential — and certainly not superior to animal protein when it comes to nutrient density.

What Should We Really Be Swapping?

Instead of replacing red meat with grains, perhaps the better advice would be:

Swap processed foods for real food
Swap vegetable oils for traditional fats like tallow, lard, and butter
Swap packaged snacks for a boiled egg, leftover roast lamb, or a handful of raw macadamias
Swap soft drinks for filtered water or herbal teas
Swap confusing dietary headlines for actual nutritional science and common sense

These changes have far more impact on blood sugar, weight stability, hormonal health, and energy levels than switching from steak to a slice of wholegrain toast ever could.

Let’s Bring Context Back to Nutrition

Nutrition cannot be reduced to single ingredients or food swaps taken out of context. The quality of food, how it's prepared, and what it's eaten with all play vital roles. Telling people to reduce red meat consumption without considering what they're replacing it with is both irresponsible and misleading.

It’s time to move away from outdated dietary dogma and towards an approach rooted in ancestral wisdom, nutrient density, and metabolic individuality. Red meat has nourished humans for millennia — and it’s not about to become toxic just because a magazine article says so.

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