The fruit, vegetable and meat diet plan is one of the most primitive forms of dieting, dating back to the prehistoric Paleolithic Era, according to PaleoDiet.com. Today, there are slight variations to this diet plan, although the basic premise remains the same--focusing on meat, fish, shellfish, vegetables, fruit, tree nuts, berries and eggs. Talk to your doctor before trying any new diet plan.
Significance
A diet rich in vegetables, fruits and lean meats can provide your body with the essential vitamins and nutrients it needs to grow and develop properly, especially from a young age. A Paleo Diet may date back thousands of years, but many of the same dietary recommendations are maintained in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A diet rich in fibrous fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats can improve your health and help you maintain a healthy body weight.
Types
The Paleo lifestyle has taken on many different forms in the 21st century. Several books on eating Paleo include "The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet" by Robb Wolf, "The Paleo Diet for Athletes" by Loren Cordain, and Barry Sears' "The Zone Diet." The Zone Diet consists of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fat, reports PaleoDiet.com, which is within the USDA's recommendations.
Foods
Acceptable foods on a fruit, vegetables and meat diet plan are pretty straightforward. Any type of meat is acceptable, although the USDA suggests limiting fatty meats such as red meat and instead focusing on chicken, fish and turkey. You should also eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to satisfy your palette and to experience the benefits of all of the essential vitamins and nutrients these foods have to offer.
Features
A Paleo Diet plan does not include grains, although the USDA recommendation is to consume at least the 3-oz. equivalent of grains per day. For this reason, many modern Paleo Diets suggest consuming whole-grain food items in addition to meat, fruits and vegetables. Also, you must restrict oils to those that come only from fruits or tree nuts, according to PaleoDiet.com, such as olive, palm or coconut oils. Other features of a Paleo Diet include eliminating additional salt in meals, drinking water almost exclusively and limiting supplements, with the possible exception of vitamin D.
Warning
A diet consisting of too much saturated or trans-fat can lead to future cardiovascular problems, including heart disease and stroke. Limiting or eliminating your intake of fatty meats can alleviate this concern. Also, consuming too much protein in foods like chicken and eggs can lead to kidney problems and weight gain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adult women consume 46 g of protein per day and men 56 g.
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