The Paleo a.k.a “Caveman” Diet

Let’s Talk About The Paleo Diet

What’s up, my health conscious people? If you have been following the previous blog, you know that we have a series of blogs discussing popularized diets such as the keto and the mediterranean diet. In this blog we will explain the definition, pros, and cons of the Paleo diet. 

What Is The Paleo Diet?

The Paleolithic or Paleo diet addresses and adopts the eating habits of early humans more than 2 million years ago during the Paleolithic Era. For this reason, the Paleo diet is often referred to as the “Caveman Diet” because the foods encouraged by this diet can be similar to the early practices of hunting and gathering. The Paleo diet includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Foods that are to be limited while adhering to this diet are dairy products, legumes, and grains. The purpose of the Paleo diet is to have people adopt the eating habits of early humans because modern farming practices have changed the way people eat by introducing products like dairy, legumes, and grains. It is hypothesized that this modern diet was adopted faster than the human body could adapt to the changes causing health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. To learn more about the Paleo diet and how it works, read about it here.

Pros 

• The Diet Is Rich In Potassium: Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables increases the body’s potassium levels. An increase in potassium levels promotes healthy blood pressure, kidney, and muscle functioning. 
• Healthy Fats Are Consumed: The Paleo diet encourages healthy unsaturated fats that are found in foods like nuts, avocado, and olive oil. 
• High In Protein Content: A diet high in protein contributes to healthy development of skin, bone, muscles, and cartilage. 
• Processed Foods Are Eliminated: The Paleo diet consists of whole foods that limit salt and sugar consumption. 

Cons 

• Food Allowances May Exceed The Recommended Daily Allowances: The foods encouraged by the Paleo diet may exceed the daily allowances suggested for a balanced diet. 
• Eliminating Food Groups May Cause Nutrient Deficiencies: By eliminating food groups, nutrient deficiencies can develop. 
• Humans Are Not Genetically Identical To Their Ancestors: The Paleo diet assumes that humans today are genetically similar to their prehistoric ancestors. This is impossible as humans have evolved to adapt to their current environments. 
• The Diet Does Not Include All Of The Food Groups That Were Available: The diet does not account for a wide range of foods available during that time. There is also little evidence to show the correct portions of food that people ate. 
• It Is Not Possible To Adopt The Same Exact Diet From The Past: It is impossible to have the same diet as people during the Paleolithic era because plants and animals have also since evolved.

Read more about the pros and cons of the Paleo diet here. 

Conclusion 

The Paleo diet is known to mimic the diet of cavemen in the early Paleolithic historical era. The diet is known for encouraging people who adhere to it to consume more whole foods and eliminate processed foods. However, the diet is restrictive and could pose issues with the sustainability of it in the long-term. Like always, it is important to always consult a doctor or nutritionist before making drastic changes to your diet. Now, after reading about both the Keto and Paleo diet, do either of these popular diets fit your lifestyle?