Howdi:

You probably don't remember me because I have not posted here for a couple of 
years. I am also running about 2 weeks behind in reading the posts so I don't 
know what else has been written on this topic but would like to respond to 
this question:


In a message dated 2/21/2006 7:31:53 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
[log in to unmask] writes:

> Manual labourer. I don't know if you use that expression in English. 
> What I mean is someone, usually a young man working outdoors, often under 
> the hard sun or in the cold, whose job requires strength rather than skill. 
> Road works, construction, public works, etc. If you're a sentimental type, 
> you could even feel sorry for usually the bad conditions under which most 
> of these workers have to work. They will work at least eight hours a day 
> and eat in the "premises". Do you think a strict paleo diet will work for 
> such a man? They usually gorge on carbs (or have to?). I am not talking 
> about an athlete who mostly functions in slots of time and under special 
> conditions. What I have on mind is that man who has very little choices and 
> must work almost like a slave. How will you customize a paleo diet for him?
> 

My dh is a Field Mechanic. He drives a big red truck outfitted with every 
tool a mechanic would have in his shop including a welder and a crane. The truck 
is so large and heavy that the driver/mechanic is required to posses a Class B 
CDL (Commercial Driver's License). Dh spends about 4 hours a day driving and 
6 or 7 hours fixing heavy equipement at construction sites though each day is 
a little different, depending on what is needed. He works outdoors in all 
kinds of weather.

Anyway I pack his lunch with a generous chunk of meat, probably almost half a 
pound, and a couple handfuls of salad greens. I put some dried garlic, sea 
salt, and olive oil over the salad, then some fruit, usually and orange or apple 
with lemon juice to keep it from turning brown or some grapes or whatever we 
have. Last week I put some sliced up strawberries in there. I also put a 
handful of nuts and sometimes a chopped red pepper. 

He usually eats the whole thing but sometimes doesn't finish because he runs 
out of time or works straight through the day without eating. He will eat a 
lot of meat for dinner especially if he didn't eat any lunch. He does not follow 
the PaleoDiet strictly every day but sometimes eats ice cream before bed and 
pizza on Friday when we go out. 

Anyway I do think the PaleoDiet can be followed but a manual laborer will 
need plenty of protein and a reasonable amount of carbs. Not too many carbs or he 
will feel sluggish.

Theresa
WA State