Poor, Black, and Paleo?

Does anyone remember the 50 Million Pound Challenge? I don’t really, either. It was part of an effort in 2007 to address obesity in the Black community and the rising tide of preventable “lifestyle diseases” that are associated with it.

I See Fat People
When it comes to nutrition, the American people in general and the poor in particular have been lied to by the government which does the bidding of Big Agriculture. Big Box gyms and basketball courts capture most of the small number of my community who exercise regularly. Functional, lifetime exercise is a rarity. Information about a diet consisting of moderate protein, high fat (the good kind – yes, there is a good kind), and low amounts of carbohydrates gets washed away in a flood of high fructose corn syrup.

I’m Starting with The Man In The Mirror
Well, I intend to do something about it. First, let me say that I am not obese. My middle-age exercise regime now includes more flexibility and hypertrophy components but I will not leave the power exercises alone. The meal above – barbecued chicken with an apple compote, brussel sprouts sauteed in grass-fed butter, avocado, zucchini, and a pickle (helps with digestion), are representative of what the diet in my house has looked like for the past 3-4 weeks. The macronutrient profile is also representative of what our Paleolithic ancestors ate. This is also the diet that is more evolutionarily appropriate for our bodies. It’s the diet we will be following from now on with some concessions in the form of basmati rice and corn pasta for the younger children and guests.

Next Steps
Over the coming weeks and months I will be seeking platforms to spread the gospel of a Paleo lifestyle to people in poor communities. I have a feeling that I won’t get a lot of help from the established medical community since they are a subset of the triad comprised of politicians, pharmaceutical companies, and Big Agriculture.

Let me know if you’re interested in taking on a Paleo challenge involving exercise and diet. If I get enough people interested in being better than they are, I’ll find a suitable reward. We can join the world of Paleo pioneers covered by the New York Times; the readers of Free the Animal; the exercisers who follow Movnat; and people like me, who became convinced by the case made by Robb Wolf in his recent book. This is the Internet at its best. Stay tuned and in the meantime, let me know if you’re in. BTW, watch out. I just got my All-Clad Slow Cooker!(NOT an affiliate link!)