What Is the Paleo Diet? In today’s society, dieting has become a way of life. With innumerable diets to choose from, it is important to understand the basics of each diet before choosing the one that is right for you. Many diets discourage large amounts of meat intake, restrict carbohydrates, or focus largely on fruits and vegetables. The Paleo diet, however, is unique because it is based on the diet of the very first humans. Paleo is short for Paleolithic, which refers the to period in history known as the Stone Age. The Paleo Diet is also referred to as the ‘Hunter Gatherer Diet’ because it consists of food that can be hunted (such as meat or seafood) and gathered (such as fruits, nuts, vegetables, etc.). Essentially, the Paleo diet takes the diet used by early humans prior to agriculture or animal husbandry and applies it to modern-day foods. The core principle of the Paleo Diet is that humans are genetically suited to eat the foods that our ancestors consumed. In short, the Paleo diet imitates the foods that every single human on earth consumed before the rise of agriculture. The key is that the Paleo diet contains foods that have very high nutritional value, such as lean meats, seafood, fruits, and vegetables. The diet also shuns food ingredients that were created after the agriculture revolution, such as grains, dairy products, sugar, and salt because these products can lead to an increase in weight and a higher chance of developing health problems such as diabetes. The Paleo diet has a large athlete following because of its high protein content. Some foods that are basic to the diet are meat, chicken, fish, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. When choosing which vegetables to eat, you should look for root vegetables, but make sure to stay away from potatoes and sweet potatoes. One reason these foods are healthy for you is because they are free of additives, which are proven to be harmful to your health. Now that you know the basics, you may find yourself asking why you should switch to the Paleo diet. There are many health benefits of going on a Paleo diet. For one, it can help you lose weight. Because the Paleo diet is naturally low in carbohydrates, it has a low caloric count. Low carbohydrates have also been proven to decrease the risk factors that lead to coronary heart disease. Another benefit is that the diet is naturally high in fiber. There are many benefits to fiber, some of which include lowering the risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease. Fiber also is a key component for weight loss. Also, for people who suffer from allergies, the Paleo diet is naturally allergen free. Many foods that are manufactured by humans contain gluten and casein, which are two common causes of allergies. The Paleo diet, however, does not contain these ingredients and therefore can help people lead an allergy free life. Lastly, because the Paleo diet is based on foods that were consumed before the agricultural revolution, they do not contain additives such as sugar and salt, saturated fats, trans fats, or hydrogenated oils, all of which can lead to heart disease and other major health problems. By choosing to follow the Paleo diet, you are bettering your chance of a healthy, disease-free life. The Paleo Diet Food Lists Following the Paleo diet is all about going back to the roots of our most ancient ancestors and adhering to their diet. Back when cavemen walked the earth, they were hunters and gatherers eating the freshest of fruits, vegetables, and meats. With all diets come strict instructions on what you can and cannot eat. By following the list of foods set forth, you can gain optimal health and nutrition. Understanding that the Paleo diet is based on the foods that the cavemen ate, you will need to stay away from all foods that are packaged or processed. In addition, there are certain meats that are on the Paleo diet “do not eat” list because they are considered fatty. Some of these meats include chicken wings, deli meats, pork sausage, salami, chicken skin, turkey skin, pepperoni, bacon, fatty pork chops, bologna, fatty lamb chops, breakfast sausage, and spam. Cavemen lived before the age of agriculture. Therefore, they did not eat grains or wheat. So these kinds of foods fall into the “do not eat” list of the Paleo diet. Even the grains that claim to be “gluten-free” are not recommended for the Paleo diet. Other grains on the “do not eat” list include, barley, corn, millet, oats, rice, rye, wheat, and wild rice. Any foods that are made from these products cannot be eaten as well. These foods include amaranth, bread, buckwheat, cakes, cookies, corn chips, corn on the cob, corn starch, corn syrup, donuts, flat bread, muffins, pasta, pancakes, pita bread, pizza, quinoa, rice cakes, rice flour, rice noodles, rice pudding, rolled oats, rolls, rye crackers, and tortillas. Many foods are listed on the Paleo diet “do not eat” list. But there are also many foods that can be eaten and enjoyed. Those who have experienced and stuck with the Paleo diet have found that there are a great variety of meals that they can eat. Although cavemen did not eat dairy, they did eat eggs. You can enjoy an omelet made with two eggs that contains fresh produce like mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, and onions. You can also enjoy snacks of fresh fruits and vegetables such as berries, raw carrots, and celery. You can even snack on guacamole. However, when you are snacking on fruits and vegetables or enjoying them as a side dish to your meal, eat them without many condiments or sauces on them. They are healthier this way. Plus, there are many meats that you can eat. Look for meats that come from pasture-raised and grass-fed animals. If that is not possible, choose the leanest cuts of meat to fill your appetite. The best part of the Paleo diet is that it will eventually slow your digestive process. You will feel fuller for longer periods of time. So when you are partaking in the Paleo diet, you should only eat when you are hungry. Don’t worry if you skip the occasional meal. Your body will let you know when you are hungry.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 15:49:51 +0000
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