There are low carbohydrate diets, diabetic diets, and even vegetarian or vegan diets.
There are diets that focus mainly on whole grains while others focus on meat at the exclusion of grains.
Is there any wonder so many people are confused about what is healthy? The Paleo diet takes a different approach to healthy eating.
Rather than focusing on which food groups should be avoided or indulged in, this plan goes back in time to mimic what early man naturally consumed.
The diet is based on the foods consumed by the hunters and gatherers of the Paleolithic era (Stone Age).
This is how the diet got its shortened name, Paleo Diet.
Many people also refer to this diet as the hunter and gatherer diet, due to the way food was obtained and consumed in the Stone Age.
Men would go out and hunt wild animals and catch fish for protein.
Women and children would go out to gather fresh fruits, berries, nuts, grasses, leaves and vegetables.
They are thus known as hunters and gatherers.
Agriculture was not being developed in this era, so grains were not a part of the natural caveman diet.
Eating Like a Caveman Followers of the Paleo diet mimic the diet of Stone Age cavemen, but with foods available in our modern world.
Rather than focusing on foods that are convenient or tasty, the focus is on foods that naturally contain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are needed for maximum functioning of the human body.
The diet is based on the following:
- Lean Meat
- Seafood
- Fruits
- Vegetables
Starchy vegetables are also off limits, though many root vegetables are encouraged.
The fact that these things are included in the vast majority of foods sold in stores today probably has a lot to do with why we have such a high rate of disease and illness today.
The cavemen weren't dying off from heart disease and diabetes, so that gives their diet some credibility.
This diet is actually very popular with athletes, thanks to the focus on lean sources of protein.
Benefits of the Paleo Diet The Paleo diet is naturally low in carbohydrates, fat and calories.
This makes it the perfect plan for weight loss, but you also benefit from greater overall health.
Eating a low carbohydrate diet reduces the risk for heart disease while the wide variety of vegetables and fruits on the diet can reduce the risk of many types of cancer.
The consumption of fruits and vegetables also keeps the fiber content of the diet very high.
This is of tremendous benefit to the digestive system, since fiber keeps waste flowing out of the body efficiently and can prevent bloating and constipation.
High fiber diets have also been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Fiber makes weight loss easier as well.
The Paleo diet also benefits those with food allergies.
The foods that cause a lot of allergic reactions, such as those with gluten and casein, are naturally eliminated from this diet.
The cavemen weren't dying from the diseases that we have today and that was probably because the chemical additives in our food today did not exist in their time.
They did not eat hydrogenated oils, trans fats, or massive loads of sugar.
Following this plan naturally gives you a healthier lifestyle with a reduced chance of cancer and other diseases.