Based on the eating habits of Paleolithic man, the thinking behind the Paleo Cleanse Diet believes human bodies were meant to thrive on the foods available to our caveman ancestors. The idea is that modern man's problems with obesity stem from an overreliance on carbohydrates such as grains, flours, and sugars. The Paleo Cleanse Diet instead favors lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, all staple foods for Paleolithic hunters and gatherers.
History
The Paleolithic Age refers to a time period roughly 12,000 years ago when stone tools first came into existence. Dr. Walter L. Voegtlin popularized the idea of the Paleo Diet during the 1970s, although several authors have since provided their own variations on the theme.
Features
The Paleo Diet's list of allowable foods includes all lean meats, chicken, eggs, fish and fruit. The diet allows all vegetables except for potatoes and sweet potatoes, because of their high carb content. All nuts, save for cashews and peanuts, also have a home on the diet plan. Individuals following the Paleo Cleanse Diet must avoid foods such as grains, beans, dairy, sugar, salt, legumes and flours, since Paleolithic man didn't partake in such things.
Function
Followers of the Paleo Diet can adjust the eating regime to fit their specific tastes, opting for a balanced approach or favoring more fruits and nuts instead of meats. The only restriction is that all foods be whole, natural foods from the Earth that have not undergone any modern processing. Paleo dieters should also only drink water, since that was the main beverage available to our Paleolithic ancestors.
Benefits
Following the Paleo Diet will cleanse the body of the preservatives and harmful chemicals associated with modern food. Because of its lack of carbohydrates, the Paleo Diet will shed pounds. The diet's emphasis on lean proteins will also help build muscle, while the high protein content reduces food cravings and assists with weight loss. And since it prohibits grains and flours, the Paleo Cleanse Diet is naturally gluten and casein free, making it perfect for those with food sensitivities.
Considerations
Many health experts, including the American Diabetic Association, classifies the Paleo Cleanse Diet as a fad diet. The major concerns remain a lack of valuable nutrients, such as calcium, and a potentially dangerous rise in saturated fats because of the diet's heavy meat component. Individuals may also find the diet far too restrictive, compromising its effectiveness. Also, while the diet itself doesn't include any exercise recommendations, many Paleo dieters supplement their eating routine with a workout program that also harkens back to caveman days, featuring intense sprinting and jumping to improve fitness and further weight loss.
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