This week instead of focusing on one reader question and giving a lengthy, detailed response I thought I’d change it up a bit by publicly addressing a number of reader questions with quick responses and links to archived posts. Let me know if you like the format. That is, do you prefer an in-depth analysis of a single reader’s question as per most of my “Dear Mark” posts or would you rather see more questions answered in a succinct, to-the-point manner? Give me your feedback and I’ll handle “Dear Mark” posts accordingly. More than likely I’ll do a good mix of both in the future. Thanks, everyone!

Sweet Potato, Sweet Fruit, Sweet Juice

Mark – Thanks for the great blog!

1. What is your opinion of sweet potatoes? Are they OK in moderation? Do they have any bad properties – Can I eat as many as I want? I have eliminated sugars/potatoes/breads/rice/grains/dairy etc. from my diet but I really miss a “starch” at dinner. I’d like to add some sweet potatoes with my steamed asparagus and grilled chicken for dinner.

2. Are there any fruits I should watch out for? I have eliminated the high-sugar ones – mangoes, pineapple, etc. are there any other ones I should nix? I like Apples, Blueberries, and Oranges (no juice). How about bananas and plantains?

3. Any opinion on “Vedge” juice by Bolthouse Farms?

THANKS!!!

John,

Yams and sweet potatoes are decent natural carb sources. They are OK in moderation, which I would say is no more than one every 2 days.

As for fruits, use your “fullness” as a guide. There aren’t really any I’d say to avoid…just know that they are carbs and they do have sugar. But even 3 or 4 servings a day doesn’t add up to that much (compared to pasta, cereal, bread, etc) Plantains and bananas are fine in moderation, too.

Vedge looks OK…but why drink your veggies and fruits in concentrated form when you can eat them? I’d just be careful of overdoing the juices.

Check out these posts for more info:

Best Fruit Choices

The Best Low-Carb Fruits (and the Worst)

A Few Words on Juicing

Alternatives to Grains

Primal Cheese?

Mark

First, I love your blog and I read it absolutely every day. I found your blog because I joined Crossfit about 6 months ago and they had posted a link to one of your articles on Grains. I just think you are an absolutely fantastic resource and your blog is also extremely enjoyable to read. When people ask me how I stay in such great shape and how I know so much about food, I am always citing your blog as a great reference point for people looking to gain more knowledge! So thanks, and keep up the good work!

On to my question…. My boyfriend and I have just started the “30-Day Challenge” and we have been going back and forth with each other discussing the cheese issue. While I have read in your articles that it is a “sensible vice” and that if you stay on the “higher end” of the market in terms of quality you will be fine, he completely disagrees and pulls out all the things “non-dairy” arguments and the things that Paleolithic Dieters (very similar to you, I believe) say about dairy and allergens etc. I was just wondering if you could clarify why exactly you feel cheese is a “sensible vice” and why it is different from other dairy? I know it is low in lactose and high in protein but is that it? Also, since there are a ton of different types of higher quality cheeses could you specify which particular types you think are better than others and why? I love cheese on my salads but would prefer to know which types are better than others (I am not that particular about what kind of cheese I use as long as I know it is the “better kind” of vice).

Is goat cheese better than cow, is sheep better than either? I am just “on the fence” about the dairy issue when it comes to cheese and would love whatever knowledge you have to offer.

Thanks again for all the posts and I look forward to hearing from you.

Jessica

Hi Jessica,

Glad you like the blog. We have a blast doing it.

As for the cheese thing, I am more on your boyfriend’s side here (sorry). In the best Primal world, we wouldn’t eat dairy of any kind including cheese. But I do say that if you can digest it and eat it in small amounts occasionally, cheese qualifies as a Sensible Vice (probably can’t hurt and won’t interfere with insulin or autoimmune problems). The fact that it’s already “predigested” (fermented) helps differentiate cheese and yogurt from most other dairy, too. Having said that, I’d probably pick the stronger cheeses that you can use mostly for added flavoring (shaved parmesan, for example) versus using them for substantial protein content. If you are limiting cheese in that regard, then any that you choose can fit in to your plan

I’ve touched on this before. Check out these posts for more info:

Would Grok Chow the Cheese Plate?

Sensible Vices: Round 2

Gut Rut

G’day Mark, I hope all is well.

I read an article about the aussie cycling team and probiotics.

I’ve seen a couple blogs and references to intestinal issues, any recommendations?

S

Simon,

You don’t really need probiotics every day if your gut is in good shape. If it’s NOT, or if you have been sick recently, or under stress (or training hard) then probiotics could help maintain all-important gut flora. I like Natren’s Healthy Trinity, but there are others in your health food store if they don’t have that.

Since I eat well and control stress, the only time I find I need them is for food poisoning (luckily not often!!) episodes. They are a lifesaver in recovering from that in a very short period of time.

Here are a few more related posts:

A Sanitized World is a Healthier World?

10 Natural Ways to Reduce Inflammation

Sweet Tooth Fix

Hi Mark,

I have been keeping up with your blog for a while now, and have eased into the low carb lifestyle. I am a 26 year old male who sits pretty steady at 160 lbs I do fine avoiding grains, but I still have a keen sweet-tooth. By that I mean eating 1/4 of an oreo pie a day is normal for me (I have cut that way back but you get the idea). It seems every time I decide to take the jump and go fully primal, I end up with a headache that after a week or so ends with me jumping back into the sugars to make it end.

Is this a common problem for people? It has me asking alot of questions about its cause. For one, I wonder if I am cutting calories too low. I am not particularly hungry, and I eat when I am so I wouldn’t think that is the case. I dont want to drop weight, as there isnt much excess there.

Is this just me having insulin withdrawals? I will admit that my body is used to some severe sugar spikes. If so, I would expect it to go away if I push on through.

Let me know if you have any thoughts on the matter, or if others have found ways to deal with this particular problem. I intend to push through this time, so if I find the answer on my own, I will send it along.

Thanks,
William

William,

It is common to have these withdrawal type symptoms. No need to cut calories too low if you don’t need to lose weight, so don’t hesitate to eat a little more than you have to for the short term. Have some other snacks handy for when you feel the sugar-cravings coming on…something you like but that has fats and/or protein instead (nuts, cheese, jerky, celery with nut butter or cream cheese – anything that doesn’t have sugar). If you can go a few weeks staving of the oreo pies, you’ll be “through to the other side” and into the
light 🙂

Here are a couple related posts for more info:

Dear Mark: Sugar Cravings

Making the Switch to Primal Living in 6 Easy Steps

Low Energy on the Primal Challenge

Is All Chocolate Created Equal?

Pass the Honey, Honey

Hey Mark,

Thanks for all your articles. Since reading your site, I have revised my view that my destiny is controlled by my LDL level. (which is 174) My doc wanted to put me on Lipitor but I ain’t doing it. I am instead reducing my inflammation and I think this gets to my question: What do you think about honey? I have to admit, one of my indulgences is to take a heaping spoonful of local honey every day. It is a pleasure but I don’t want to screw myself up too much with it possible – quite probably causing inflammation. It has got to be a “primal food” however – doesn’t it?

Basically, should I stop this indulgence?

Sean

Sean,

Grok did have a little honey now and then, but certainly not every day. Honey IS sugar pure and simple. A little bit each day won’t derail you, but why not cut back to a little every OTHER day. And ask yourself why this little habit is so important? Maybe it’s not. Maybe it could be easily broken. I presume the rest of your diet is in line with PB style eating.

Check out this related post:

On the Question of Sweeteners

RaeA, ulterior epicure, FUNKYAH, Balakov Flickr Photos (CC)

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