As I see it, there are a few different ways of looking at whether or not a
food is paleo, and as I type this it is crystallising into some simple Tests
for Paleo-Kosher.

A. Toxin aspects-
1. Is it edible without cooking? If not, avoid it.  If not, then it will
contain toxins in the raw state (otherwise why would it be inedible?)
2. Is it a seed? If so, avoid it. Phylogenetically seeds share the same
problems- they contain toxins (protease inhibitors, haemagglutins)(to freeze
their metabolism and fight pests), and secondary metabolites (half processed
chemicals to help speed early growth)., etc, etc. These substances are what
cause most of the health problems of grains. These issues apply to all
seeds- grains, beans, etc.
3. Skins of fruit and vegetables are more likely to have higher
concentrations of toxins specifically to fight pests.

B. Foods that are likely to be OK:
Fruits- fleshy bodies containing seeds.Phylogenetically all similar. The
fruit is the plants gift to the animal for depositing the seeds elsewhere in
a pile of dung. This arrangement ids profitable for both parties and this is
therefore a good business arrangement. Therefore, I propose that fruit
eating animals and fruit bearing plants have a symbiotic relationship.
Plants reserve the right to fill the seeds inside the fruit with toxins to
discourage animals from eating them.
Roots- some will be edible, I can't see any simple test apart from trial and
error. Some will be inedible as their is no benefit to the plant from having
its root eaten.
Leaves- as for roots.

C. The co-evolution aspect- looks at Old World vs New World foods. I don't
put a lot of credence in this as I think phylogenic properties of plants are
more important. I would expect New World foods to be a little more
allergenic, but otherwise not too concerned.

D. Is it available without technology- specifically excludes refined
sugars, dairy products etc.

Todd and Ray ( and any other philosophers and scientists)- have I used the
word phylogenetically correctly? I'll post this test separately, so that we
can all argue over it without getting too caught up by coconuts etc.

Now coconuts pass test A1, but fail test A2 and test C. Coconuts are a seed,
not a fruit. We can expect them to contain a range of toxins and being New
World, and a radically different type of plant, they are likely to be even
worse than grain toxins. I can only point out the very high level of
coronary disease in Pacific Islanders who eat a lot of coconut (and remind
you that we can only explain a small percentage of heart disease on the
basis of cholesterol and lipids alone). For example, this affects the men in
the Solomons which is a fairly underdeveloped area- they're said to be big
strapping fellows who work hard in the sun (not loafing around getting
hyperfattened on a Western junk diet as happens on some more prosperous
islands)- it is blamed on the lipid profile of coconut, but maybe there's
more to it than that.

So, those of you who need a treat and a bit of variety, I'm sorry but I
don't think coconut is paleo. Try prunes.

Those of you who like nuts will be unimpressed with me as I avoid them
because of test A2. Almonds also flunk test C as they are a mutant- wild
almonds are toxic, a safe mutant appeared last century. They didn't coevolve
to be eaten (nor did any other nut IMHO). BTW, the argument that nuts have a
hard shell to protest them is not enough- they are still full of secondary
metabolites, plus protease inhibitors to freeze the metabolism, and I'm sure
you'll find a few lectins.

If you're on paleo because of a disease such as arthritis, for goodness
sake, don't eat nuts or coconut if you want to get results. Also, peel all
fruit and veges if you've got a health issue.

Ben Balzer
"The ideal diet for any animal is that which it eats in the wild. Humans are
no exception."
"Ask a dietitian how to lose weight and you'll be told to eat bread, corn,
soy, cereals etc.. Ask a farmer how to fatten an animal and you'll be told
to feed it bread, corn, soy, cereals etc. There is a discrepancy that needs
explanation."