What Is The Paleo Diet?
The Paleo diet is the healthiest way you can eat because it is the ONLY nutritional approach that works with your genetics to help you stay lean, strong and energetic! Research in biology, biochemistry, Ophthalmology, Dermatology and many other disciplines indicate it is our modern diet, full of refined foods, trans fats and sugar, that is at the root of degenerative diseases such as obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, depression and infertility. (Robb Wolf leading authority on the paleo lifestyle)
Building A Healthy Paleo Diet
Lean proteins
Lean proteins support strong muscles, healthy bones and optimal immune function. Protein also makes you feel satisfied between meals.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that have been shown to decrease the likelihood of developing a number of degenerative diseases including cancer, diabetes and neurological decline.
Healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, fish oil and grass-fed meat
Scientific research and epidemiological studies show that diets rich in Monounsaturated and Omega-3 fats dramatically reduce the instances of obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and cognitive decline.
Saturated fat has been demonized by our health authorities and media. What is the basis for this position on Saturated fat? Are current recommendations for VERY low saturated fat intake justified? How much saturated fat (and what types), if any should one eat? Without a historical and scientific perspective these questions can be nearly impossible to answer. In this paper Prof. Cordain looks at the amounts and types of saturated fats found in the ancestral diet:Saturated fat consumption in ancestral human diets: implications for contemporary intakes.
One of the greatest deviations away from our ancestral diet is the amounts and types of fat found in modern grain feed animals vs. the amounts and types of fats found in grass fed or wild meat, fowl and fish. What we observe is wild meat is remarkably lean, and has relatively low amounts of saturated fats, while supplying significant amounts of beneficial omega-3 fats such as EPA and DHA. In this paper Prof. Cordain and his team analyze the complete fatty acid profile from several species of wild deer and elk. The take home message is that free range meat is far healthier than conventional meat: Fatty acid analysis of wild ruminant tissues: Evolutionary implications for reducing diet-related chronic disease. (Robb Wolf)
Paleo Lifestyle Principles
The Paleo Diet is a way of eating and living that is based upon the principles of our ancient ancestors. In the beginning, people survived by means of hunting and gathering and food was a means of survival.
In today’s society, food has become heavily refined, full of sugar and harmful trans-fats. As a result society has become addicted to these harmful additives becoming steadily fatter, unhappier and chronically unwell.
The Paleo Diet, also referred to as the Paleolithic or Caveman Diet, is a lifestyle that if followed will work with our natural genetic programming to make us healthy, lean and reduce chronic disease. Foods that make up the Paleo Diet are those same foods that were eaten by our ancient ancestors prior to the dawn of Agriculture.
Foods we eat as part of the Paleo Lifestyle are; Fresh High Quality Local Meats, Fish, Eggs, Vegetables, some Fruit, Nuts and Seeds.
Foods to be avoided include Starches, Sugars, Processed Foods, Dairy, Legumes and Grains.
Paleo Diet followers only consume oils that are derived from tree nuts or fruits such as Coconut, Avocado, Olive, Palm, Almond, Pecan, Hazelnut, Walnut, or Macadamia. Processed vegetable or seed oils are not acceptable. They contain harmful trans-fats and some are even carcinogenic to our health.
Meats eaten should be Wild Game when possible, however in our busy modern lives that is not always achievable. Local Grassfed Meat is a perfect substitute. The necessity that the meat be Grassfed is to ensure the balance of essential Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids are maintained within the meat. No form of processed meats are acceptable.
Paleolithic man hunted and killed whatever he could find for a source of meat and consumed the entire beast- Organ Meat, bone marrow and the much-coveted Animal Fat. While gatherers, collected more than three hundred different types of edible Plants, Vegetables, Berries and Seeds/Nuts. What was gathered depended upon what was seasonally available in local areas, especially when it came to Fruits. This is why modern day Paleo Dieters restrict their fruit intake to avoid excess natural sugars.
Most gathered vegetables were leafy greens, however several different spices and herbs were also used. This did not include salt.
The Paleo Diet has proven health benefits if followed, it is nutrient dense and promotes good health and wellbeing. Some of the proven benefits include: weight loss, blood glucose stabilization and improvement in chronic disease processes such as; Hypertension, Heart Disease, Asthma and Osteoporosis.
