What Is The Paleo Diet & Should I Be Following It?

There are many different diets out there that focus on restricting different things. Some diets focus on eliminating carbs, some focus on restricting calories. The paleo diet focuses on eating the same foods that our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate before agricultural development.

The paleo diet encourages you to eat whole foods, lean protein, fruits & vegetables, nuts and seeds, while discouraging processed foods, dairy, sugar, beans, and grains. Overall, the diet is high in fat and fiber and low in carbohydrates, refined sugar, and sodium.

Food To Eat & Avoid On The Paleo Diet

If you decide to try the paleo diet, you won’t just be cutting out processed and sugary foods. You’ll also need to cut out legumes, grains and most dairy products. Instead, you’ll need to fuel up on natural foods and natural fats such as:

• Grass-fed beef, pork and poultry
• Fish and shellfish
• Eggs, preferable free range
• Gamey meats such as venison and quail
• Fruits
• Non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, onions, etc.)
• Different types of nuts and seeds

Conversely, any food items that were not available to our Paleolithic ancestors should essentially be avoided. This means all processed foods and most dairy items should not be a part of this type of diet. This includes:

• Candy, sugar and honey
• Sugary drinks and sodas
• Highly processed meats
• Wheat, rye, and barley
• Highly processed foods
• Legumes such as peanuts and beans
• Artificial sweeteners
• All dairy products

Pros & Cons of a Paleo Diet

The truth is, not one diet works for everyone, so it’s important to understand your body and figure out what works best for you. The purpose of the paleo diet is to return our bodies to eating the way our ancestors once did long ago.

Pros

Eating a paleo diet means you’re eating clean without consuming any preservatives, artificial flavors, or chemicals. In addition, the food you do eat on a paleo diet, like fruits, vegetables, oil and nuts, includes anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for your overall health. A paleo diet also helps you feel more full for longer so you’ll snack less. 

Cons

A paleo diet can be particularly difficult for vegetarians since it consists of eating meat and no beans. It also includes the consumption of very little carbs, so this can be difficult for athletes who are looking to eat more carbs.

Health Benefits of the Paleo Diet

Obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are just a few of the health conditions that are to blame for our modern way of eating, which is typically loaded with processed foods, fat and sugar. 

Cutting modern foods from our diet and returning to the way our early hunter-gatherer ancestors ate is the purpose of the paleo diet and has proved to lower risks of developing certain diseases. For one, since the paleo diet focuses on whole foods, it may help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. Some additional benefits of the paleo diet include:

• Higher energy levels. Consuming a lot of processed food is linked to low energy and negative moods, so by eliminating these foods from our diet, we’ll have higher energy levels and improved mood.
• Helps reduce your cholesterol and blood fat levels 
• Can improve your heart health 

The paleo diet offers numerous potential health benefits because it requires you to avoid foods that are linked to common health issues. For example, processed foods that are high in sugar, as well as refined grains are to be avoided when practicing a paleo diet.

Who Should Do The Paleo Diet?

No diet is right for everyone, and that goes for the paleo diet as well. If you struggle with food intolerances, like a gluten or lactose intolerance, the paleo diet may be a good option. It’s also a good option for people who generally feel better, mentally and physically, when they are not consuming processed foods. 

On the other hand, this diet may not be right for certain athletes who are looking to bulk up, as the carbs in this type of diet are limited. It also might not be right for people who have specific nutrient deficiencies. Cutting our dairy products can make us lose out on certain nutrients, so be sure to consult with your physician before deciding to try the paleo diet.