The Paleolithic diet, also known as the paleo diet, is a type of diet whose foundations are based on the diets that our ancestors performed in the Stone Age, which was based on hunting so that 19 to 35% of the diet is composed of proteins, 22 to 40% carbohydrates and 28 to 47% fat.
This diet is an option for people who want to lose weight or better control their blood sugar levels, changing their lifestyle. This diet is mainly based on consuming fresh and natural foods, avoiding processed foods, and being rich in healthy fat sources, nuts, low-fat meats, fish, and seafood.
It is important to mention that this type of diet is not for everyone, and it is important to consult a nutritionist for an individualized assessment and a nutritional plan adapted to your needs and health conditions.
Paleolithic diet: what it is, how it works, and what to eat
How it works
In the Paleolithic diet, the consumption of only natural foods and animal and vegetable origin is recommended, as they provide the necessary nutrients for the proper functioning of the body.
There is no pre-established period that the diet should be followed because it is a natural and healthy diet; however, before starting the Paleolithic diet, it is important to consult the nutritionist to assess the general state of health carried out. The health of the person, because it is a diet rich in protein, may not be suitable for those who have kidney problems or who have osteoporosis.
The foods included in this diet are rich in fiber, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is possible to reduce the risk of chronic diseases as it prevents fat deposition in the vessels and promotes the regulation of blood sugar levels rich in fiber. In addition, this diet can also help in muscle development and weight loss, as proteins and fiber promote a greater feeling of satiety and increased metabolism activity.
Difference between paleolithic and low carb diet
The main difference is that in the Paleo diet, you should avoid all kinds of grains rich in carbohydrates, such as rice, wheat, corn, and oats, for example, while in the low carb diet, these grains can still be consumed in small amounts a few times a week.
In addition, the low-carb diet allows the consumption of processed foods, as long as they are not rich in sugar, flour, and other carbohydrates, while in the Paleolithic diet, the idea is to reduce as much as possible the consumption of processed foods. See more details on the low-carb diet.
What to eat
In the Paleolithic diet, it is recommended to include foods from nature in the daily diet, and fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, oranges, and pineapples must be consumed. In addition, other foods that should be part of this type of diet are:
Vegetables such as chard, arugula, lettuce, and spinach;
Vegetables such as carrots, peppers, zucchini, pumpkin, and eggplant;
Roots and tubers such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, cassava;
Low-fat meats such as fish, shellfish, frogs, chicken, turkey, lamb, goat meat, liver, tongue, and marrow;
Dried fruits such as almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds;
Olive, avocado, and linseed oils;
Coffee and teas, once a day and without sugar.If there is a diet, the eating style has been trending in recent years, and this is the Paleo diet. A way to feed following the customs of the Paleolithic era and which increasingly follow more followers. This diet is based on the belief that the foods that conform provide the body’s nutrients—Es decor, foods that come from the farm, and agriculture.
In short, it was the basic diet before the Neolithic, and that it brought to a sedentary lifestyle. Even though it is a diet or a type of food with many benefits, there are also questions to have, and there are many limitations. To find out exactly what it is and know if it fits your needs, we tell you all about the Paleo diet.
What is the Paleo diet?
Paleo diet foods
In the Paleolithic era, humans fed the foods found on the land, such as fruits and vegetables, and from the farm. Herein, the diet was based on unprocessed foods, which did not include dairy, cereals, or any other food that could be handled by the mano del hombre, given that the Neolithic revolution was not yet committed.
Based on this, the current Paleo diet imitates this type of original diet of the hombre en la Edad de Piedra. Therefore, unprocessed meats, fish, roots, and vegetables. Any food processed or that has any manipulation eliminated, such as dairy products, cereals, sugar, and legumes. As well as any refined product, alcohol or carbonated drinks.
What is the philosophy of this type of food? According to proponents of the Paleo diet, the human body and digestive system have not had time to adjust to all the recent changes in eating. Considering that the food revolution, coming from the Industrial Revolution, is barely two centuries old, it is easy to recognize that there have been many and very drastic changes that the human body has had to face.
Benefits of the Paleo diet
If you are willing to eliminate all kinds of unnatural products from your diet, the Paleo diet can benefit your health. On the one hand, eliminating refined sugars, excess substances that the body does not produce or need, helps to improve important aspects of health. Among the many benefits of the Paleo diet can be found the following:
Blood sugar levels are lowered.
Saturated fats are eliminated, and the risk of cardiovascular disease is reduced.
It is ideal for weight loss since it is accelerated by eliminating sugar, excess fat, and processed fat loss.
Perfect for athletes since higher protein consumption helps build muscle mass.
It is filling, and you do not starve because fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of fiber.Paleo diet foods
One of the main disadvantages of the Paleo diet is the restriction and elimination of foods. On the one hand, carbohydrates that are so beneficial and necessary for health are eliminated in addition to legumes, a source of vegetable protein, and essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, and folic acid, among others. These are the main disadvantages of the Paleo diet.
