Going way, way, way back to basics, the Paleolithic Diet is based on the eating habits of our cave-dwelling ancestors. Here’s the what, why and why not of the popular-again-Paleo diet.
By Emma Bangay
What is the Paleo Diet?
The Paleolithic diet – aka Paleo, Caveman or Stone Age Diet – is inspired by what is presumed to be the diet of our ancient ancestors, who survived on wild plants and animals. This was before agriculture, before grains. This is a time when the fuel of life was that which could be handpicked or hunted.
Today’s Paleolithic Diet 0.2 is a modern mirrored approach of what once was. Since first enjoying resurgence in the mid-1970s as with many diets, it’s been repackaged, re-promoted and redelivered in various guises since. However, one thing remains; it never strays from the belief that the ideal diet is the one that resembles that of our ancestors, when diseases of affluence and over-indulgence were not a factor of life.
What can you eat?
The foods you can eat aren’t hard to find. They include fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots, and nuts.
What can’t you eat?
Grains, legumes, dairy products, potatoes, refined salt and sugars and processed oils are all on the list of No No’s.
What’s the preface of the Paleo Diet?
There are several checkpoints of the diet. If followed, some believe this is the eating plan that can minimize chronic disease and help you lose weight:
- High intake of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants:
There are none of these health benefits found in grains, but fruits and vegetables hold them in abundance making this diet is high in vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B12.
- High Protein Factor:
Protein makes up only 15% of calories in the average modern diet so the Paleo Diet is low in fat, and therefore holds one in good stead to keep weight gain at bay.
- High Fibre Intake:
Certain vegetables contain nearly ten times the fibre of whole grains and over 30 times more than refined grains. Even some fruit contains double the fibre of whole grains and over five times more than refined grains, so the Paleo eating plan delivers the dietary fibre needed for premium, long-term health and digestive function.
- Good Fats:
By cutting out the dangerous trans-fats that lead to disease, followers of the Paleo diet are only ingesting healthy monounsaturated and Omega-3 fats, which was the cornerstone of Stone Age diets.
- Alkaline/Acid Balance:
Cheese and other dairies are high alkaline-yielding foods. Consuming a lifetime of these types of foods can lead to an increased risk of kidney disease, muscle loss, high-blood pressure and other ailments. Conversely, fruits and vegetables promote alkaline which is a far less draining on the kidneys and the health.
Want more sound bites on healthy eating? Check out…
Sugar Free Paleo Slice by Claire Obeid
Can Exercise Help Speed Up Your Metabolism?
5 Days, 5 Healthy Lunches
