The Paleo Diet was created by Dr. Loren Cordain to help people manage body weight and reduce the risk of lifestyle-influenced illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes. The Paleo Diet relies on foods that were available during the Paleolithic Era. Cordain and other advocates of the diet believe that modern processing of meats, dairy and grains makes them unhealthy for humans whose digestive systems are relatively unchanged since the Stone Age. While the Paleo Diet may be healthy, there are a number of alternative plans that may provide similar benefits.
The Maker's Diet
Like the Paleo Diet, the Maker's Diet advocates the removal of processed foods from your diet. Unlike the Paleo diet, which relies on a scientific understanding of early humans, the Makers Diet author Jordan Rubin models the diet after information contained in biblical texts. Unlike the Paleo Diet, the Maker's Diet does allow some forms of bread, such as sprouted bread, which was available in biblical times. In addition to processed foods, the Maker's Diet also advocates the removal of shellfish and pork, which are prohibited by the teachings of the Old Testament. As implied by the name, the Maker's Diet advocates a spiritual lifestyle in addition to healthy eating habits.
The Raw Food Diet
Taking the elimination of processed foods to the extreme, the Raw Food Diet advocates avoiding any food that has been heated to more than 116 degrees Fahrenheit. Proponents of the Raw Food Diet believe that cooking destroys essential nutrients present in the food. Limiting yourself to raw foods naturally restricts meats, which must be cooked to ensure safety. This makes the Raw Food Diet an appropriate choice for anyone considering the vegetarian lifestyle.
The Atkins Diet
While the Paleo Diet is not promoted as a low-carb diet, it does share some of the characteristics of a low-carb diet due to the elimination of processed grains. The Atkins Diet has been the best known low carbohydrate diet since its introduction in the 1970s. Introduced by Dr. Robert Atkins, the diet is intended to trigger increased fat burning by the removal of carbohydrates. Like the Paleo Diet, the Atkins diet relies heavily on whole cuts of meat, vegetables and some fruit. Due to its inclusion of some processed foods, the Atkins Diet may be easier for some people to follow.
References
- "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition": Dr. Robert Atkins: 2002
- "The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat" ; Loren Cordain; 2002
- "The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-Step Plan for Vibrant Health and Maximum Weight Loss": Natalia Rose: 2006
- "The Maker's Diet": Jordan Rubin: 2005
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