I agree completely.  And even if Cordain were right that there's no  
way to to turn back as a species, no one is going to be able to make  
me personally drop my strict no grain diet and resume a life of illness.

Jim Swayze
www.fireholecanyon.com
Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 30, 2009, at 11:38 AM, "Ron Hoggan, Ed. D."  
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hi Jim,
> Sure, there are many complexities inherent in this question.  
> However, I
> continue to challenge Cordain's stated position that: "Without them,  
> there
> would be worldwide starvation of an unprecedented proportion. we have
> wandered down a path of absolute dependence upon cereal grains, a  
> path from
> which there is no return."
>
> That's a pretty rigid position for Dr. Cordain to take. Anyone who has
> cultivated a vegetable garden and a bit of cereal grain will know  
> that grain
> cultivation is much less efficient on a per-acre basis. I'll  
> certainly grant
> that there are economic and waste considerations that mitigate  
> against my
> position, but I doubt that they would approach offsetting the  
> differences in
> crop production.
>
> Best Wishes,
> Ron
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paleolithic Eating Support List [mailto:[log in to unmask] 
> ]
> On Behalf Of Jim Swayze
> Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 4:16 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Paleo Diet offers the net-base balance needed
>
> Correct.  The issue is always more complex than it first appears.
>
> Jim
>
> On Jun 29, 2009, at 4:33 PM, Tracy Bradley wrote:
>
>> I think taking into account the nutritional bang for the buck
>> matters also, and what quantities need to be consumed in order to
>> be well-nourished and to prevent hunger. Anecdotally, I need a lot
>> less beef than I do veg. Grains, man I could eat those all day and
>> never feel satisfied!
>>
>> Day, Wally wrote:
>>>> Comparing by volume can be tricky.  An acre of wheat can yield
>>>> 3000 lbs,
>>>> while an acre of tomatoes can yield 40 tons -- obviously a gigantic
>>>> difference by volume.  However, in terms of available energy
>>>> (calories),
>>>> the wheat has only about 1/3 less calories per acre than the
>>>> tomatoes.
>>>> Still less, but not nearly as much as the volume difference would
>>>> lead you
>>>> to believe.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Another factor to consider - grains can be stored immediately and
>>> indefinitley quite easily. Fruits and veggies, however, require a
>>> wide range of storage methods (drying, canned, frozen, etc.). What
>>> should be added into the above equation - how much of that energy
>>> is "lost" because of improper storage methods and/or waste during
>>> storage prep? Obvioulsy, it would be best if everyone worldwide
>>> ate fresh, off-the-vine, food everyday. But how practical is that?
>>> (I can't believe I'm defending grains, but for the sake of
>>> discussion I will :)
>>>