The ultimate beginner’s guide to Paleo
The Paleo Diet has been around for over 10 years and has gone from a fringe idea to a mainstream diet. So, what is the Paleo Diet? The Paleo Diet is also known as the Caveman Diet or Stone Age Diet. It’s based on the idea of eating the same foods our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate in the Paleolithic Era. You’ll be healthier following the diet that’s evolved from our ancestors. Here’s everything you need to know if you want to try the Paleo Diet.
What is the Paleo Diet?
The Paleo Diet is based on the idea that our hunter-gatherer ancestors (the Neanderthals, Homo Erectus, Homo Heidelbergensis, etc.) went out to hunt for food and then preserved the carcasses and meat for future consumption. The preservation methods and timing of our hunter-gatherer ancestors suggest that the diet that we evolved with is better than the modern Western diet. The modern diet has the adverse side-effect of causing many chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. The idea is that the human body naturally functions better at burning fat for energy, rather than burning carbs for energy, which our modern diets focus on.
How does the Paleo Diet work?
The diet is not based on a list of food ingredients. It’s based on the premise that there are no food groups. You eat the foods that your ancestors ate. Hunting and gathering was more than just food. You ate what you could find with the tools you had
The Paleo Diet works by using the USDA food pyramid as an example. The pyramid is not an exact science. The original version was created in 1942, but has changed over the years. You should interpret the pyramid to meet your needs and goals.
Benefits of the Paleo Diet
Many people think that the Paleo Diet is extreme. They are unsure whether or not it’s healthy. But the Paleo Diet actually contains many of the foods that will help you live a longer, healthier life.
Here’s some benefits of the Paleo Diet.
1. It eliminates bad carbs
One of the diet’s biggest benefits is the reduction of processed and refined grains, such as crackers, breads, etc. These are the biggest sources of bad carbs. Processed foods may contain chemicals and additives to prolong shelf-life;
2. Helps with weight loss
The Paleo Diet is a great way to lose weight. The diet promotes high protein and low carb foods. This will lead to weight loss. Because of the low carb and high protein foods, you will have more energy throughout the day and won’t be tired as easily.
Caveman or Modern Which is better?
Modern diets are based around food that was designed over 20,000 years ago. The foods haven’t changed, but they are now highly processed, designed to be in short supply and preserved for future use. They are typically created to last at least two years in refrigeration or on your shelf.
Foods that our Paleolithic ancestors ate (i.e. fruits, vegetables and other foods they grew) could be consumed every day, at any time of year, and they were usually consumed at the peak of ripeness.
The only restriction on the foods we eat today is that there be a certain number of servings per day. The standard American diet is similar to the typical diet our Paleolithic ancestors ate. The foods are similar, yet modern man has the symptoms of being overweight.
Getting started on the Paleo Diet
First things first.
Why would you even consider the Paleo Diet?
Let’s review the possible downsides.
1. Low carb diet may hurt athletes
Although the Paleo Diet help increase energy, athletes require even more. If you’re an athlete, a diet too low in carbs may inhibit your energy production.
Athletes will need to focus on consuming sufficient carbs to produce energy.
2. Low fat diet.
The problem with low fat diets is the lack of good fats.
Many people go low fat because they think that fat is bad for your heart. However, fat is essential for protein metabolism and energy production. So, by not eating fat, you’re not able to get enough calories to lose fat.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Now you know how to lose weight. The Paleo Diet comes highly recommended for weight loss. You’ll get all of the information that you need, including recipes, cheat sheets, and much more. Try the Paleo Diet today for a healthier, happier you.