Is honey paleo? page

[Honeybear]

Didn't our ancestors gorge on honey when they found it? Just curious.

[primalrob]

it depends on which ancestors and where they were from, but, yeah, honey would have been a once-in-a-while delicacy when they could get it.

[Digby]

Those who could get it, but if you are a carb craver, beware. I can do about a teaspoon, and no more.

[carlh]

Of course it's paleo. Yes, you're right. Hunter/gatherers would take honey. But that doesn't mean you should regularly. It was a rare treat.

[Rocco Hill]

The massai still seek out honey combs in Kenya. Of course it is 'Paleo', but it is not easy to get, and the massai eat the actual combs, and i would say most of what is available in shops is processed heavily.

It was definitely never meant for everyday, mass consumption.

[denise]

Didn't our ancestors gorge on honey when they found it?

thats the thing. Trouble is, less than a 5' walk from where I am typing I can buy tons of the stuff. Now if I had to find/follow the bees, climb a tree to get to the hive, light a fire then smoke 'em a bit to make 'em sleepy, get stung (quite) a few times getting the honey, climb back down and then trek home - yep it'd be paleo

[Dana]

By a strict definition of "a food that was available to pre-agriculture humans", then yes, it would have been occasionally eaten by people living in parts of the world where the honey bee was found.

If you're talking about eating as much of it as you want as part of a paleo/PB lifestyle because it meets the above definition, then no. A tenet of this WOE is to minimize insulin spikes in response to sugary foods, and honey is certainly a sugary food.

That said, my husband and I have a hive in our backyard and I do eat a teaspoon of honey from time to time and enjoy it, because OMG it's the best honey I've ever had.

[tfarny]

It depends on whether your definition is "any food that ancient man ate" or "food that is good for you because we are evolved to benefit from eating it regularly." The second way is less sound-bite friendly but it's what you really should think of.
Honey is a form of sugar and should be treated as such - I use it occasionally in moderation.

[Dragonfly]

All of the above--and I wouldn't touch it if you are losing weight. Great way to create an insulin spike and stop fat loss.

[canadianwoman]

All of the above--and I wouldn't touch it if you are losing weight. Great way to create an insulin spike and stop fat loss.

I think a tiny amount (like a teaspoon) drizzled on a nice SMALL peice of fruit would be a good treat after a protein/fat based meal....and only once a month.

I do this and it has not hurt my weight loss any.