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Difference between IBD-AID and Paleo


IBD-AID is grounded in science, being defined by the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Paleo is not based on a body of scientific research, instead it’s more like citizen science and each individual’s observations. Many Paleo recipe authors seem to fall into one of the following categories: pursuing weight loss, pursuing extreme fitness (such as crossfit), or having IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome). It seems like each Paleo recipe author has their own definition of which foods are allowed and what are not.

The foods

Some Paleo authors permit potatoes, sweet potatoes, plantains. Some permit rice, arrowroot, tapioca, potato starch, or maple syrup. Some venture into Shirataki noodles (a.k.a. konjak noodles, or konnyaku noodles). None of these are on the allowable foods lists for SCD or IBD-AID.

Depending on which Paleo author you are reading, the recipes might be meat-heavy. Many use only standard American diet (SAD) portions of vegetables. Since my family isn’t in this for weight loss or cross-fit, we’re in this for the long-term, I prefer to double or triple the veggie component of most recipes.

And, IBD-AID permits legumes/beans and organic fermented soy products, ingredients which most Paleo authors shun.

What’s useful

There are lots and lots of Paleo recipe authors, bloggers, and cookbooks. There are lots of Paleo products on grocery shelves. By understanding which aspects of Paleo work for SCD and IBD-AID, versus which do not, it can make your life much more convenient!

For instance, I use a Paleo-brand mayonnaise. I know mayo is easy to make, but I don’t like cleaning the oily blender afterward. Being able to buy that Paleo mayo makes my life a bit easier.

I have several favorite Paleo recipe bloggers I follow, and I enjoy the inspiration (and the color pictures on Instagram!). Some of the recipes work for my family, others do not. I can tell in an instant, just by scanning the ingredients list.

You can click on the Venn diagram to enlarge it.

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