The original "Paleolithic Diet" book was written by Dr. Loren Cordain, an expert in health and nutrition and a professor at Colorado State University. Before he wrote a book "for the masses," Cordain published numerous peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals about the diet of our ancestors. Cordain believes the paleo diet is the answer to obesity and many health issues that plague modern society. After the popularity of Cordain's book, many other paleo diets appear in the market, all of which follow a very similar eating structure.
Foods Allowed
Anything that a society of hunters-gatherers would have eaten is allowed in the paleo diet. All meats in their pure form are acceptable. This means you could eat wild meats and fish, but no beef or chicken, since these are domesticated animals and not something a hunter would find in the wild. Some paleo diets allow all meats under the idea that, technically, all animals could be hunted. Nuts, seeds, mushrooms, eggs and certain vegetables are all part of the paleo diet as well.
Foods Forbidden
Grains, dairy products, legumes and any products containing refined sugar are not acceptable. This makes the paleo diet very limited when it comes to eating out or buying processed foods. Processed foods, salt and anything that contains additives need to be eliminated as well. Most paleo diets allow you to cook your foods, as long as you don't fry them, which would require the use of processed oils. Some paleo diets advocate the eating of raw food. No alcohol is allowed.
Disadvantages
Paleo diets might be difficult to follow for long periods of time. Since you can't include anything processed in the diet, it will be basically impossible to eat out, unless you can find a raw restaurant, where no processed ingredients have been used to prepare the food. The diet contains almost no carbs, except the few you might get from vegetables. A lack of carbs might lead to tiredness, fatigue and mood changes. You might also end up deficient in calcium, fiber and other nutrients.
Advantages
Weight loss is likely in a paleo diet. Not only will you be stepping away from sugar, fast foods and highly-processed items, but you stay away from salt and carbs, which retain water. Cordain says a paleo diet will improve your cholesterol and triglycerides levels, control cravings, cause weight loss and decrease your risk of developing diabetes.
References
- "The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat "; Loren Cordain: Wiley; 2010
- Paleo Diet: What to Eat and How
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