It seems that the Paleo lifestyle is finally becoming more and more popular in Hong Kong. Soon Paleo restaurants will be popping up around town and the price of grass-fed beef jerky will become more reasonable (please dear God!)
From my time working in a publishing office I know that articles are often butchered for the sake of space and graphics. Although I tried to keep my answers basic and simple for non-Paleo people they made my answer even simpler. So for the record I'm posting the original interview here:
What's Eating You
With Pack of Packs I'm trying to connect with people who are interested in health and fitness and to establish a platform for the growing Paleo community in Hong Kong. Currently I am trying to compile a listing of Paleo professionals: trainers, health practitioners, services, shops etc. So you Paleo pros if you are out there, holler! I also get enquiries from people who want to train with me, and from Paleo people from overseas who are planning to visit Hong Kong and want to know how paleo-friendly the 852 really is.
How did you get into fitness/nutrition?
Almost by accident I got involved with the awesome trail-running community in Hong Kong. It did not take long until I started training for ultra-marathons, and nutrition is one of the key elements to boost performance. I spent most of my free time tinkering with my training and my diet and became quite geeky. After a while I started running free circuit training sessions for runners, and exchanging knowledge on what to eat and on supplements. The light bulb went off and I discovered that I was passionate about working with people, helping them to reach their fitness/ health goals.
What are your qualifications?
NASM certified Personal Trainer, NESTA Sports Nutrition Specialist, Yoga Teacher specialising in Ashtanga
What’s the deal with the paleo diet?
It's actually a very simple approach: Eat the kind of foods humans have evolved to thrive on: animal proteins, veggies, some fruit, healthy fats and cut out the junk. This logic applies to any species. Lions will be far healthier and stronger eating antelopes as opposed to eating Twinkies.
Why are more people adopting it?
Probably the same reason why I gave paleo a try: Simply to look and feel good. Before going paleo I was following a strict and "clean" low-carb-low-fat high protein diet. It involved counting calories, eating small bland lean protein meals 6 times a day. I leaned out but was miserable and obsessing about food which had no taste. The paleo diet on the other side is simple. Unless you are a professional athlete you do not need to count calories. You get rid of the junk and get to eat REAL tasty food. Toss the smurf-blue sports drink and have the whole egg not just the egg white. So you can feel and eat like a decent human being and see decent results in improving your health and fitness.
What is your advice to those considering it?
People need to be aware that they will have adjust their paleo diet to their needs and goals: A new mother who wants to drop the pounds she gained during pregnancy follows a different paleo diet than the rugby player prepping for the Sevens. Some paleo people can get away with some non-paleo food and others will have to be stricter: Some might have yoghurt once in while but if you are lactose intolerant you might have to drop dairy completely. It's all about trying to figure out what works for you and what doesn't.
Who is it the most appropriate for?
Everyone who wants to improve health and performance, and who enjoys good quality food.
Where can paleo dieters shop for food?
Thanks to the organic movement most grocery stores in Hong Kong offer organic veggies. And all grocery stores targeting expats like Citysuper, Great or ThreeSixty sell free-range eggs and grass-fed meats. I also like to order grass-fed meat from online suppliers like tenderloin.com.hk. A source for healthy organic foods and snacks are available at health stores like Just Green, Anything But Salads, Green Dot Dot etc.
What are some of the best outdoor spots/trails/workouts for athletes in HK?
Oh my, HK has a lot of wonderful trails: Plover Cove for a good workout and scenic run and the trails on Lantau are always a favourite for a decent hillwork which gives you a nice burn in the quads. Athletes need to train specifically for their sport but also need to address their weaknesses. Runners usually have notoriously tight and over-active hamstrings while Mixed Martial Arts people often complain about tight hip flexors and rotator cuffs. I am a big fan of outdoor workouts based on flowing natural movements patterns like MovNat, ApeFit, Floreio, or the Ido Portal Movement Culture. Those workouts focus on moving the body as a harmonious unit by addressing gaps in strength and mobility. And no special gear needed.
Can you recommend some nutritionists in Hong Kong?
I only know of one HK nutritionist who is also qualified in ancestral health which includes the Paleo diet and functional medicine: Miles Price at Life Clinic. Sometimes people have difficulties getting better or get stuck in their transition to the Paleo diet which can have various reasons like food allergies, hormone imbalances, inflammation in the gut. Miles is the go-to guy to pin-point and treat the cause. As far as I know Life Clinic are one of the few health facilities in Hong Kong which offer the ALCAT food sensitivity test which is currently the gold standard for testing food allergies.
Miles Price - Clinical Nutritionist
Life Clinic
Tel: 28818131
www.lifeclinic.com.hk