Paleo Diet
What is Paleo
The paleo diet, also known as the Paleolithic diet or caveman diet, is a dietary approach based on the presumed eating patterns of our ancient ancestors during the Paleolithic era. The core principle of the paleo diet is to eat foods that were available to humans during the Paleolithic period, before the advent of agriculture and modern food processing methods.
Here are the key features of the paleo diet:
Emphasis on Whole Foods: The paleo diet focuses on consuming whole, unprocessed foods that were available to hunter-gatherers, including meats, fish, seafood, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.
Exclusion of Processed Foods: Processed foods, refined sugars, grains, legumes, dairy products, and artificial additives are typically avoided on the paleo diet, as they were not part of the ancestral human diet.
High Protein and Healthy Fats: The paleo diet emphasizes sources of lean protein, such as grass-fed meats, poultry, and wild-caught fish, as well as healthy fats from sources like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
- Limited Carbohydrates: While the paleo diet allows for some carbohydrate consumption from fruits and vegetables, starchy tubers, grains, and legumes are restricted due to their high carbohydrate content and potential impact on blood sugar levels.
- Focus on Nutrient Density: The paleo diet encourages the consumption of nutrient-dense foods that provide essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients to support overall health and well-being.
- Promotion of Natural Movement: In addition to dietary principles, the paleo lifestyle often includes an emphasis on natural movement, outdoor activities, adequate sleep, stress management, and other lifestyle factors that mimic the habits of our ancient ancestors.