What’s The Fuss About Paleo Diet?

Like it or not, the Paleo diet is making its rounds. As part of the paleo diet, you typically eat lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds – foods that were traditionally found while hunting and gathering. Paleo diets restrict foods that became common about 10,000 years ago when farming emerged. Dairy products, legumes, and grains fall into this category. Here’s an Aerinlé lowdown.

Understanding Paleo

Palaeolithic, or Paleo is a diet based on food that our human ancestors may have eaten featuring meat, nuts and berries. It is designed to avoid food that was unavailable in that era such as dairy products, grains, legumes, processed food and refined sugar. See the following infographic to know more about the typical meal and food items in a Paleo Diet.

What to eat and what to avoid on Paleo Diet?

If we talk about the food items eaten in a Paleo diet, then you should have lots of fish, meat and vegetables. If you are vegetarian, then you can have lots of vegetables and other things like hemp seeds and nuts. You can also have eggs and some dairy products. However, you should especially avoid the following: – Grains: This includes wheat, rice, barley, etc. Grains are a big no. in a Paleo diet as they are not a part of our traditional diet. Evolutionarily speaking, we have not adapted to digest grains. – Dairy products: If you are lactose intolerant, then you can have them, but if you are not, then avoid dairy products. – Legumes: This includes beans, peas, and peanuts. – Sugar: You have to go for natural sugars like honey and dates. – Processed foods: They are harmful and contain additives that can be harmful to your health. – Artificial sweeteners: Stay away from them as they are bad for your health.

 

Pros and cons of Paleo Diet

There are many benefits of a Paleo diet. Some of them are discussed below: – Paleo diet is an excellent diet for those who want to lose weight. People can lose weight faster by following this diet. – It can be great for your heart health. It can help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides. – It can be beneficial for autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis. – It can also help with some skin issues like psoriasis and acne. Now we will discuss some of the cons of Paleo diet. – Paleo diet is not for everyone. Some people may not be able to tolerate it well. – If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, then you should avoid this diet. – If you have any health conditions, then you should speak to your doctor before starting a Paleo diet.

 

Who should not follow Paleo Diet?

If you have any health conditions, then you should not follow Paleo diet. You should speak to your doctor first before following it. Some of the conditions are heart diseases, diabetes, lactose intolerance, and autoimmune diseases. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Paleo diet as it contains too much animal protein which can be harmful to their health. If you are allergic to any of the food items mentioned in Paleo diet, then you should avoid it. Some people may not be able to tolerate the diet well.

 

The nutritional make-up of a Paleo diet

The Paleo diet is high in protein and fibre but low in carbohydrates. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like omega 3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. It also has lower levels of saturated fat and salt. When compared to other diets, Paleo diet leads to a greater intake of fibre and protein but a lower intake of carbohydrate. When it comes to calories, the Paleo diet can range from as little as 1,200 calories per day to as much as 2,500 calories per day. Paleo diet is rich in proteins and fibre and low in carbohydrates. It is also rich in vitamins, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids. It has lower levels of saturated fat and salt. When compared to other diets, Paleo diet leads to a greater intake of fibre and protein but a lower intake of carbohydrate. When it comes to calories, the Paleo diet can range from as little as 1,200 calories per day to as much as 2,500 calories per day.

 

Credit: Health, Body and Beauty Tips

The genesis 

It became popular when Dr Loren Cordain, a scientist specialising in nutrition and exercise physiology, introduced the concept in a book titled “The Paleo Diet”.

How does it help the body?

It encourages us to consume more fruits and vegetables while lowering our sugar and sodium intake. This results in having a lean and muscular physique.

However, many have noted that the diet places a large emphasis on meat. Critics say that the meat we eat today is not as lean as it was thousands of years ago.

Debunking the Paleo diet

In the following TED Talk, anthropologist Christina Warinner talks about how the Paleo diet is not made up of food our ancestors would have eaten. She adds that the diet is based on several misconceptions that people have about the Palaeolithic era.

The Verdict

There is no doubt that Paleo diet is a good diet, but it is not for everyone. You should consult your doctor before following this diet. If you are allergic to any of the food items mentioned in Paleo diet, then you should avoid it. If you have any health conditions, then you should not follow Paleo diet. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, then you should avoid this diet. The nutritional make-up of a Paleo diet is high in protein and fibre but low in carbohydrates. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like omega 3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. It also has lower levels of saturated fat and salt. When compared to other diets, Paleo diet leads to a greater intake of fibre and protein but a lower intake of carbohydrate. When it comes to calories, the Paleo diet can range from as little as 1,200 calories per day to as much as 2,500 calories per day.

What’s your take on the Paleo diet? Write to us at enquiry@aerinle.com.