I think Primal's used to be called WAPFers, for Weston A. Price Foundation. They believe fermenting bad stuff makes it good again or at least not so bad.

That's funny Nancy!! I believe you are correct; WAPFers did believe that and would ferment ANYTHING in order to call it edible.

Basically, Primal includes dairy.

I checked out Robb Wolf's book at the library...I like it so far and will follow his recommendations!

Catching up with LC podcasts, I just listened to Robb Wolf on "Transitioning to Paleo", Excellent:
http://www.askthelowcarbexperts.com...diet-robb-wolf/
He talks about paleo-esque diets, the auto-immune audience who needs to makes strict adjustments, dairy was the first question asked, situations where one might need to lower fats for weight loss, and he answered some other good questions for someone trying to figure out how Paleo might fit into their lifestyle.

Additionally, there might be a difference between a paleo diet and the Paleo Diet. Sort of like the difference between doing yoga and doing Anusara Yoga TM.

I call myself paleo even though I sometimes choose to eat some dairy products, mostly because people around me recognize the term "paleo" more than other terms. I know that dairy is not orthodox paleo. Some people on a paleo diet, or evolutionary diet, or whatever, think that butter and especially clarified butter is not the same devil that grains are. I'm still in the process of weeding it out, slowly and deliberately. Some day. SOME DAY!!!!

So we have established what Paleo is and that Primal is very similar to Paleo but allows dairy. Atkins also allows dairy so what is the difference between Atkins and Primal?

Warren, Atkins allows many things that primal frowns on. You'll see that if you look at Atkins food list.

Also, as you follow the rungs, Atkins allows most anything w LC slant during maint.
Atkins induction is def closer to primal and if you are somewhat a purist there may not be a difference.

Primal is meat, fruit, vegies, nuts and dairy (in small quantities) if desired. There's no adding back grain, legume, AS, etc.

I think that covers it....correct me if I'm wrong.

I see. I really don't know much about the Atkins diet. I have had people tell me that I am doing the same as Atkins but I just say "It's similar" to shut them up.

jem is correct, and here is a further explanation:
http://www.paleoplan.com/2011/11-17...er-than-atkins/

I find the orignal Atkins to be very similar to Primal. Not induction, but OWL. My only issue was too low carbs on Atkins. I felt weak, shaky, forgetful and grumpy most of the time. I keep my carbs right now in the "sweet" zone of 50-75 a day. I eat a little fruit when I want it. Many times, I forget to eat if I'm busy. And I don't think about food constantly anymore. I don't think about weight constantly anymore either. I figure my body will eventually get where it needs to be.