Why choose the Paleo Diet?
As a nation, we are overweight. And for many, dieting has become an integral part of everyday life. But with dozens or even hundreds of diet strategies to choose from, how do you pick the one that is best for you? For the meat lovers among us, the Paleo diet will stand out because it is based on the diet of the caveman – it is based primarily on meat.
The Paleo Diet, as you probably know by now, is what we know to be the diet of the caveman, our earliest ancestor. The Paleo diet is also referred to as a hunter/gatherer diet because the cavemen ate only what they could hunt down (game or seafood) or what they could gather from the land (fruits, vegetables and nuts). These ancient peoples did not practice agriculture or tend to herds of animals.
The modern-day Paleo Diet is designed on the principal that humans are genetically suited to eating the way our ancestors did, eating foods that were plentiful before we started cultivating crops and raising livestock. These are foods high in nutritional value and include lean animal proteins from meats and seafood, and fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. The diet avoids foods that have been added to our diets since the agricultural revolution such as wheat and other grains, dairy products, and sugar and salt. These foods tend to lead to weight gain and contribute to other health risks such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Many athletes follow the Paleo diet because of its focus on high protein intake. Protein from lean meats, lean poultry and seafood is key. In addition, fresh vegetables provide more protein and vitamins and minerals and fiber. The diet encourages eating pretty much any fresh vegetable except for potatoes which are high in starch content. The fresher, the better and if you can get organic vegetables, those are most preferred.
Once you understand the basic principles of the Paleo Diet, a natural question would be “why switch?” to this way of eating. Proponents of the diet will cite the numerous health benefits. Number one, it can help you lose weight. The diet is low in carbohydrates and sugar and fat. A basic Paleo meal of lean protein and fresh vegetables and fruit is low in calories and high in fiber. So in addition to helping with weight loss, is can help reduce the risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease.
For anyone who suffers from allergies, the Paleo diet could be a revelation. Paleo meals are allergen free, no gluten or casein, two of the most common food allergens. And the Paleo diet eliminates food additives such as sugar, salt, trans fats, hydrogenated oils, etc. So by going with a Paleo lifestyle you will help to minimize your risk of chronic disease in turn increasing your chances of living a longer and healthier life. So the question might be, Why Not?
Click here to get more information on eating the Paleo Way.
The Paleo Diet, as you probably know by now, is what we know to be the diet of the caveman, our earliest ancestor. The Paleo diet is also referred to as a hunter/gatherer diet because the cavemen ate only what they could hunt down (game or seafood) or what they could gather from the land (fruits, vegetables and nuts). These ancient peoples did not practice agriculture or tend to herds of animals.
The modern-day Paleo Diet is designed on the principal that humans are genetically suited to eating the way our ancestors did, eating foods that were plentiful before we started cultivating crops and raising livestock. These are foods high in nutritional value and include lean animal proteins from meats and seafood, and fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. The diet avoids foods that have been added to our diets since the agricultural revolution such as wheat and other grains, dairy products, and sugar and salt. These foods tend to lead to weight gain and contribute to other health risks such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Many athletes follow the Paleo diet because of its focus on high protein intake. Protein from lean meats, lean poultry and seafood is key. In addition, fresh vegetables provide more protein and vitamins and minerals and fiber. The diet encourages eating pretty much any fresh vegetable except for potatoes which are high in starch content. The fresher, the better and if you can get organic vegetables, those are most preferred.
Once you understand the basic principles of the Paleo Diet, a natural question would be “why switch?” to this way of eating. Proponents of the diet will cite the numerous health benefits. Number one, it can help you lose weight. The diet is low in carbohydrates and sugar and fat. A basic Paleo meal of lean protein and fresh vegetables and fruit is low in calories and high in fiber. So in addition to helping with weight loss, is can help reduce the risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease.
For anyone who suffers from allergies, the Paleo diet could be a revelation. Paleo meals are allergen free, no gluten or casein, two of the most common food allergens. And the Paleo diet eliminates food additives such as sugar, salt, trans fats, hydrogenated oils, etc. So by going with a Paleo lifestyle you will help to minimize your risk of chronic disease in turn increasing your chances of living a longer and healthier life. So the question might be, Why Not?
Click here to get more information on eating the Paleo Way.