Paleo Diets: Why You Should Try Them
What is a Paleo Diet?
You have perhaps come across "paleo diet" quite a lot; in conversations, news, and even blogs. However, most people have only assumptions and half-facts about this diet.
This article will look into some information that may transform your dietary experience forever.
History and Progression
A paleolithic diet, or otherwise known as a paleo diet, is basically a dietary option, which involves eating foods that we postulate to have been available to the early men during the Paleolithic Period (Stone Age Period).
In a narrower perspective, paleo diets restrict an individual to only foods that were introduced by farming during the Paleolithic Period of evolution.
They include but are not limited to the following:
- Fish
- Fruits
- Meat (lean)
- Seeds
- Nuts
"The Paleo Diet, the world’s healthiest diet, is based upon the fundamental concept that the optimal diet is the one to which we are genetically adapted." - Dr. Loren Cordain, About The Paleo Diet
Should I Go Paleo?
Why You Need to Start a Paleo Diet
Hearing about paleo diets from your friends or coming across paleo diets on social media should not be enough to start you off on it.
We are all unique and our preferences can be unparalleled most times.
Here is why the best paleo diets are a worthy health investment, and why you may want to consider them over other dietary options.
To the Roots
Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and his counterpart Dr. Emmet Densmore were perhaps the first doctors in the 19th Century to embrace the paleo diet.
They believed that primitive diet quashes contemporary dietary options and habits. Harvey Kellogg stood by the consumption of starchy and grain-based foods[1].
S. Boyd Eaton and Konnna Melvin in their "Discordance" hypothesis reasoned that the human body is much more receptive to foods that were available during the time of the Stone Age period and registered a genetic mismatch with farmed and processed foods.[2].
[1] Johnson,Adrienne Rose(2016)“Paleo Diets and Utopian Dreams”Skeptic. 21(3): 11-12
[2] Mayo Clinic Staff, Paleo diet: What is it and why is it so popular? < https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/paleo-diet/art-20111182> Accessed 7.20.19.03.44EAT
Based on the Discordance Hypothesis...
You will realize that farming slowly but entirely indeed transformed our diets from whole-natural to processed.
Because these changes were happening rapidly, our bodies were not able to keep up. It lead to a genetic mismatch--one of the believed causes of heart issues, obesity, and even diabetes.
Going Paleo?
Changing your diet to paleo will do a lot of good for your health. I recommend that you start the best paleo diets as soon as possible.
Paleo diets are among the most sought-after weight-loss options. They will expose you to whole-natural foods, which bag a lot of benefits for you and your general health.
A few words can say what can be said in 1000, which is that going paleo is going healthy!
Therefore, you should most definitely start the best paleo diets ASAP!
"Bread is the staff of death"- Dr. Emmet Densmore
Benefits of a Paleo Diet
What is the need of starting a particular diet if it doesn't have any benefits?
I understand your need for results. Therefore, here are some of the ways you'll benefit from paleo diet recipes:
- Your chances of eating a whole-natural meal are almost absolute.
- Red meat sources iron.
- Vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds have anti-inflammatory components.
- Proteins and fats, when consumed in moderate amounts, can be quite satisfying and make you feel full in between meals.
- Ideal for upping glucose tolerance. Your body will be able to clear glucose from your system much faster.
- Limiting your food choices to whole-natural inhibits excessive intake. Therefore, it can already help you lose weight.
While the following table doesn't outline paleo diets recipes, it gives you an idea of what you could try out, with some of the most basic combinations to give you one wholesome paleo meal.
Let's Eat: Details of a Paleo Diet
Eat
| Avoid
| Breakfast
| Lunch
| Dinner
| Thirsty?
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fruits & fruit oils e.g. palm & coconut oils
| Legumes- peas, beans, peanuts, lentils
| Eggs- boiled/fried. Eat mostly with vegetables and/or fruits
| Chicken salad- eat mostly with olive oil and some nuts
| Meat- beef/steak/pork. Eat with vegetables, sometimes with salsa, sweet potatoes, berries, and/sweet potatoes
| Tea- green tea is the best
|
Vegetables- fresh & frozen vegetables
| Sugar- refined
| Vegetables- fresh, frozen, or fried in coconut oil. Eat mostly with eggs and/or meat
| Meat- eat mostly with vegetables and and sometimes with a sandwich in a lettuce leaf
| Fish- salmon (baked and eaten with vegetables and avocado; or fried in butter and eaten with vegetables)
| Coffee- just how you like it
|
Meat- lean e.g lamb, beef, pork, & organ meats
| Nutritional products- processed
| Fruits- once piece should be enough
| Vegetables- eat mostly with meat
| Chicken wings- eaten with vegetables (you can also add salsa)
| |
Fish- albacore tuna, salmon, mackerel, trout
| Fats & carbohydrates- refined
| Meat- east mostly with vegetables
| |||
Poultry- chicken, eggs, turkey
| Grains- wheat, barley, oats
| ||||
Roots, seeds & nuts and their oils
| Note: all highly-processed foods should be avoided at all cost
|
This table is meant to be a simple guide and give you an easier time when you're not sure what you should try. There are numerous more ideas and combinations at your disposal.
"Go paleo, go healthy!"- Benie
Concerns
Oh, dear! Sadly, our paleo diet recipes have a few concerns:
- While the best paleo diets will get you through a healthy lifestyle, the diet misses certain important elements like calcium, proteins, fiber, enough vitamins, and other great sources of nutrients. These elements are easily accessible and thus cheaper, unlike a paleo meal which can subject your budget to strains.
- Dr. Youdim cautions on the types of proteins you consume. This sheds light on cardiovascular-related issues, which could arise from the excessive or prolonged consumption of proteins (the likes of red meat).
- Dr. Youdim warns that a sudden drop in your carb intake for individuals with diabetes may cause a drastic blood sugar drop, which, of course, isn't good news.[3]
- The best paleo diets may not be ideal for individuals at risk of osteoporosis. Therefore, consult a doctor before starting the diet; so should individuals with chronic kidney and/or heart disease, as Dr. Erin Dolinski advises.[4]
[3] Moira Lawler, What Are the Benefits and Risks of the Paleo Diet? https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/paleo-diet/what-are-risks-benefits-paleo-diet/#risks Medically reviewed by Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDE; Accessed 7.20.19.03.44EAT
[4] See [3] above
Final Thoughts
With much said, I urge you to try out paleo diet recipes for your health.
Nonetheless, as you do, proceed cautiously. Don't dive all in and cut down your carb intake almost immediately. Let the change take effect gradually.
Enjoy this new and amazing experience. Go paleo, go healthy!
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
© 2019 Benson Langat
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