What is the Paleo Diet?

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.