The Paleo Diet Eating Plan
The Paleo Diet Eating Plan, more commonly known as the Caveman diet. As we are all aware, today’s so called “normal” diet is far removed from the type of healthy eating and nutrition from generations past and even that of our parents and grand parents.
In a return to a menu containing far less processed and man made food, the Paleo diet eating plan main purpose is in improving the quality of our modern day diet which has become significantly tainted.
The Paleo diet eating plan comes from the ideals that many of today’s allergies, medical conditions and genes stem from the distance we have moved away from the life conditions through our evolution from caveman to now – a period of more than a million years.
It could be easily argued that many of today’s nutritional and food health problems come from the fact that our bodies are not fully equipped to deal with the types of food we eat today. Even though our species has been around for what seems like forever, the human race has only been cultivating plants and farming for approximately 10,000 years.
Paleo Diet Eating Plan
10,000 years may seem like a long time but it is still not enough for humans to adapt our physiology and metabolism to different lifestyles. This relates specifically to our consumption of dairy products, many grains and also legumes.
Our bodies and systems simply have not had the required time for our genes and physiology to adapt to eating these kinds of foods and as a result, today’s society is rife with digestive and other dietary problems caused by consuming these types of foods. Just one common condition, lactose intolerance, has never been higher and I am sure you probably know several people with this troublesome condition.
But what exactly is the Paleo Diet Eating Plan?
At its most basic explanation, the Paleo Diet Eating Plan is focused primarily on the eating habits of a typical caveman! Specifically, this means plenty of healthy fresh fruit and vegetables as well as lots of lean meats and proteins.
A major part of the Paleo Diet Eating Plan however is what you are not allowed or supposed to eat and that means pretty much staying away from all processed and refined foods. A common message among those following the Paleo diet is that if it comes in a box, don’t eat it! It sounds quite simple doesn’t it?
This Paleo Diet eating plan is certainly not a choice less menu and there are countless foods available and on offer within its parameters. Lean cuts of meat are a crucial feature of this diet and for those who are keen; you can also still eat a few of the organ meats like tongues and liver – like I said – if you are keen!
No dairy is also a big one and as briefly touched on above; dairy creates many a nutritional and health problem especially in those that are inflicted with Lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome.
Eggs, a favorite of many, are definitely on the Paleo plan however it is still a good idea to only limit you to 6 or less eggs a week.
Go Nuts for Nuts on the Paleo Diet eating plan!
The Paleo diet eating plan also allows great freedom in the range of nuts. Although people will tell you nuts are too fatty, nuts are a great source of the good kind of fats – mono-unsaturated, and can also help to lower cholesterol as opposed to raising it!
Nuts have also been credited in reducing the risks of breast cancer as well as other forms of cancer and can also help reduce the risks of heart disease – another massive killer of our unhealthy population.
On the cons side when it comes to nut consumption, many people use the Paleo Diet Eating Plan to lose weight. Nuts certainly do contain calories so they should be enjoyed only in moderation however as you continue your efforts on this diet you will surely see increases in your metabolism which of course means that you will be able to eat more nuts and enjoy what they can do for you without gaining weight.
As said above regarding staying away from all foods that come in a box, while this is good general advice for this diet, there are also heaps more bad foods that should be avoided while on the Paleo diet eating plan.
Again, referring back to what the caveman had available to him sweet, sugary drinks are also a big no-no. In fact, sugar is pretty much off limits entirely! Sugar while sweet and tasty, is perhaps one of the biggest causes of obesity, diabetes and other major heart and health problems simply because of its abuse in modern nutrition.
Once there may have been a time where sugar was used within reasonable guidelines however today, sugar is rampant and is often in scary levels in our foods. You would also be amazed at some of the levels of added sugar in some of our foods that you would not even think had sugar or its associated byproducts within it. Sugar products to avoid also include syrups and other sweeteners.
Paleo Diet Eating Plan
Grains are also not allowed while on the Paleo Diet and that also includes all food products made with grains. Foods such as pancakes, cookies, pasta, rolls are all a no go for consumption when following the Paleo. Foods from the dairy cabinet like cream, butter and cheese are also off limits.
In reading this, you may think that a diet such as the Paleo is extremely limited in its food and drink choices and there is no 100% denial of that assumption. As you look a little deeper however and explore the many options available, you will find that there are plenty of choices, recipes, cookbooks and more that now support the Paleo diet
