The Paleo Diet

The Paleo diet or Paleolithic diet, is a diet based on foods “close to” what could have been eaten during the Paleolithic era, which dates from 10,000 years to 2.5 million years ago. Names by which the has become known paleo diet are: paleolithic diet or stone age diet or hunter-gatherer diet or even caveman diet.

The goal of this diet is to return to a way of eating that is more similar to what early humans ate. The rationale behind the diet is that the human body is genetically unsuited to the modern diet that came about through agricultural practices. This rationale has been circulated much like the incongruity hypothesis.

Because the practice of agriculture – cultivation afterwards changed the eating habits with the inclusion of cereals and pulses as well as dairy products. This rapid change in diet, according to the mismatch hypothesis, exceeded the ability of the human body to adapt. This mismatch is thought to be the main cause of the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and heart disease today.

Paleo Diet – Rules

The basic, fundamental rule of the paleo diet is to eat the way your ancestors ate.

Permissible foods

Foods allowed on the paleo diet are foods that were thought to have been accessible or part of a typical diet of our ancestors in the Paleolithic period.

  • Meat (preferably grass-fed or game)
  • Fish (preferably wild)
  • Eggs
  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Vegetable fats

Forbidden foods

Foods prohibited in the paleo diet are those that were thought not to have existed in the Paleolithic era or that the processing that makes them edible had not yet been invented.

  • Cereals and potatoes
  • Legumes
  • Dairy Products
  • Margarine
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Soft drinks
  • General processed foods

Diet old in Slimming

Although the paleo diet does not necessarily support calorie counting, in general, the structure of the paleo diet can promote weight loss.

This is because the palaeo diet promotes a diet that is high in protein and fiber, which combination is extremely effective in promoting weight loss, while on the other hand it suggests avoiding products such as bread, sweets and soft drinks, alcohol, which tend to be overrepresented in a typical diet in modern society and are associated with obesity.

A person who is interested in following the paleo diet for the purpose of weight loss should prefer leaner meat options as well as beware of overconsumption of vegetable fats.

Pros and cons of the Paleo diet

The paleo diet, like any new fad, has its fanatical supporters as well as its critics. Let’s look at it more scientifically.

Positive

  • Promote weight loss – the paleo diet can promote weight loss.
  • Promote consumption of fruit, vegetables, nuts and fish – important food categories with many proven health benefits.
  • Promote wild or grass-fed meat – research suggests both of these categories can be healthier options compared to conventional meat
  • Avoiding generally unhealthy choices such as sweets, soft drinks and processed foods and alcohol.
  • It may be a good choice for people who suffer from certain “modern food” intolerances such as lactose
  • intolerance It may promote better insulin resistance and glucose control

Negative

  • Avoid eating healthy options like legumes and whole grains – two food categories that are rich in fiber, vitamins, trace elements and antioxidants.
  • The paleo diet does not necessarily prevent the consumption of fatty meat or the restriction of vegetable fats such as olive oil, which can cause an increase in caloric intake and lipids
  • Possible calcium deficiency – due to avoiding dairy
  • Possible deficiency in fiber – due to avoidance of whole grains and legumes
  • Possible overconsumption of red meat – increased risk of colon cancer and hyperlipidemia
  • The “real” paleo diet is impractical and difficult to follow in modern society.
  • The wild meat that our ancient ancestors ate is quite different from the farmed meat that we eat today.
  • The meat choices were different (eg wild animals like deer, wild camels, etc. vs. chicken and pork).
  • The constitution of the animal as well as its diet would also be different. Wild animals would generally be leaner and eat more “naturally”, unlike farmed animals.
  • The paleo diet can be quite expensive