The Paleo diet, often referred to as the "Caveman Diet" or "Hunter/Gatherer Diet" is based on foods that were readily available during the Paleolithic era. The Paleolithic Era was an era was a time period that lasted roughly 2.5 million years and ended about 10,000 years ago. By eating only these foods you are feeding your body the way it was genetically designed to be fed.
What Should I eat on the Paleo Diet?
Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. Keep intake levels that will support exercise but not body fat.
–Greg Glassman
Here is a list of foods encouraged on the Paleo Diet.
- Lean Meats
- Fibrous Vegetables
- Fruits
- Nuts & Seeds
- Fish & Shellfish
Foods to Avoid on the Paleo Diet
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Soy
- Legumes
- Cereal Grains
- Starchy Vegetables
- Fatty Meats
- Sugars
- Refined Oils
- All Processed Foods
It is important to eat a diet consistent with the way people in the Paleolithic Era ate. It is not simply enough to look at what you can and cannot eat and prepare your food that way. A common mistake with many Paleo dieters is simply looking at ingredients simply by the standard "is this paleo" or "is this not paleo". As an example, many people will argue the point that honey was around during the paleo era, and our ancestors surely enjoyed eating it when they could find it. In this perspective it should be okay to eat honey on the Paleo diet. Thus, honey IS "paleo". While it is true that honey was available in this time period, it is certainly not something that was enjoyed on a day to day basis. Most likely it was a treat that was enjoyed on seldom occasions. By looking at it in this perspective, honey would not be something we would be eating on a regular basis and should be reserved for cheat days or special occasions. I don't know how many times I have seen recipes for "Paleo" cookies, muffins, doughnuts, etc. Every time it is nut flours and honey, agave, or stevia, as main ingredients. While they may technically be Paleo by ingredient, they are not Paleo by definition. Read THIS article from Robb Wolf for more information There is a great comparison between a twix bar and a Paleo Cookie.
So, what exactly should we be eating?
We should build our diet as our ancestors did. Our main food source should be vegetables and lean proteins. These two are the ingredients that were readily available at most times to our ancestors. Fruit should be enjoyed seasonally, and in moderation. Nuts and seeds should also be enjoyed in moderation. In fact, over consuming fruits and nuts is not healthy at all and over-consuming so called "Paleo" treats can impede your fitness goals. Zone Diet Solutions is the only one around who make baked goods with no nut flours, and no sweeteners.
