The Paleolithic diet, also known as the “caveman diet” is where a person follows the guidelines of eating only fruits, vegetable, fish, poultry, lean meat, eggs, nuts and oils. The catch is that eating grains and dairy are strictly prohibited. The idea of this diet is to eat whole foods like our ancestors did in the Paleolithic era.
We live in a world where a lot of the foods we consume are processed. The processed foods we eat are what making us develop health problems. This diet eliminates processed foods, so it is understandable why grains and dairy are excluded from this diet.
In an article from CBS Boston, the diet was tested on volunteers who were out of shape. The volunteers didn’t have to exercise while on the diet. Dr. Frasetto said, “Everybody’s blood pressure went down. In two weeks everyone’s cholesterol and triglyceride levels got better, and the average drop on this was 30 points, which is really amazing”.
Other benefits according to everydiet.org:
“Higher intakes of protein reduce appetite and increase metabolism. High protein also prevents loss of lean muscle. Emphasizes fruit and vegetables. Intake of essential fatty acids will be high on this diet.May be beneficial for dieters who have difficulty with carbohydrate cravings and blood glucose imbalances. Will improve and reduce the risk of developing many diseases and disorders such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Produces a net alkaline load on the kidneys, which helps to reduce the loss of calcium and preserve bone tissue, which may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Provides six weeks of sample menus. Does not require counting or measuring.”
Although there are many benefits from the Paleolithic diet, there are also drawbacks from this diet stated in everydiet.org:
Highly restrictive and will require a great deal of commitment from the dieter. Eliminates many favorite foods such as pasta, bread, potatoes and desserts. May be socially disruptive. Difficult to eat out or at social occasions. May be an initial withdrawal period when dieters commence the diet due to eliminating coffee, sugar, alcohol and refined carbohydrates. Diet is based on speculation to some degree, as it is impossible to be certain what exactly our Paleolithic ancestors ate. Will require careful planning to ensure that calcium is adequately supplied due to the absence of dairy products. Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
It also can be costly to stay on this diet, since it requires that you buy and consume more fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood and lean meats daily.
Livestrong.com notes the risks and challenges of a Paleolithic diet:
“The Paleo Diet may be difficult to follow, particularly if your diet typically involves carbohydrate-rich foods, such as whole grain bread, cereal, rice or baked goods. The diet may pose particular challenges if you follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, since it emphasizes meat and fish. High-protein diets, such as the Paleo Diet, are generally considered safe when followed short-term, according to MayoClinic.com, some of the long-term risks remain unknown. Increasing your meat consumption may lead to high saturated fat intake, particularly if you consume red meat, dark-meat poultry or organ meats often. High saturated fat intake is associated with diabetes, obesity, heart disease and certain forms of cancer. A high protein diet may also increase your risk for kidney stones and gout -- a form of arthritis associated with high uric acid levels. If you do not consume sufficient amounts of fiber-rich foods allowed by the Paleo Diet, such as fruits, vegetables and certain nuts, you may develop constipation and other digestive problems. If you are at risk for or have history of an eating disorder, the diet may trigger symptoms or increase your risk for relapse.”
The research has shown that this diet works. Many people’s personal experiences with the diet have helped them better their health and lifestyle. This diet is not for everyone, it really takes commitment to make a change, stay on, and keep going.
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