A Paleo diet, also known as paleolithic diet or caveman diet, is centered around natural foods which are supposed to promote improved health and a perfect physique. The human body has evolved for millions of years with the food found in nature such as: wild game meat, fresh fish, vegetables, wild fruits and berries, eggs and nuts. The human race thrived on this diet which is high animal fat and proteins and low in carbohydrates. Boy oh boy did things change when we introduced unnatural foods to our bodies!
The diet is known as the paleo diet because it includes the food that was available to humans during the paleolithic era which started about 2.5 millions of years ago. The basic idea stems from Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution and is based upon the idea that our genes and physiology evolved through the process of natural selection and are most adapted to be nourished with the food that we evolved around. These foods include beef, fish, shellfish, poultry, pork, lamb, bison (including fat and organs) as well as eggs, vegetables, fruits and nuts. For more information on the Paleo Diet and an entire food list, click here.
Basic Rules of the Paleo Diet
- The Paleo diet should be high in fat, oderate in animal protein and low to moderate in carbohydrates.
- Counting calories is discouraged on the paleo diet
- You may eat unlimited amounts of saturated fats like coconut oil and butter or clarified butter.
- You should eat generous amounts of animal protein
- Eat plenty of fresh or frozen vegetables served with a fat (sweet potatoes and yams are OK too)
- Eat pasture-raised or grass-fed meats
- Omit all grains and legumes
- Eliminate all vegetable, hydrogenated and partly-hydrogenated oils
- Eliminate Dairy
- Eliminate sugar
- Don’t over-exercise
- Eliminate stress
- Increase Vitamin D consumption
