What is the Paleo Diet?

The paleo diet is based on the premise that humans are genetically adapted to eat what our ancestors in the Palaeolithic period, i.e., meat, fruits and vegetables and fruits of the sea -fish and shellfish- eating, and doubts that a healthy diet has to be supported on cereal, dairy and vegetables.
The paleo diet, which is also known as the stone age diet or the cave man diet, considered most appropriate foods for the human being are those that were available in the Paleolithic era: meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts and roots - that provide the amount of proteins, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants needed -, and aims to avoid sugars and foods processed in general, but also other foods considered healthy as vegetables, cereals and dairy products.

Food more natural

Paleo diet fans argue that human nature, the diet and adapt to that over millions of years, it may not include flour, sugars or dairy because these foods joined much later the power and are very recent in our evolutionary history.
This type of feeding large amounts of animal protein, also includes parts fat, and vegetables - either fresh or frozen-, and removed from the list of purchase packaged products, choosing only fresh food. In addition, they recommend that the meat comes from animals fed with pasture, and that fruits and vegetables are in season (and best organic production). In other words, more natural and less processed as possible.
Permitted saturated fats; in fact, animal fat is good whenever it belongs to healthy animals. Fruits are preferred with lower content of fructose and more antioxidants, as well as dried fruits rich in omega 3 fatty acids - like walnuts and almonds--, and extra virgin olive oil is very appreciated for dressing salads and vegetables.

Paleo diet benefits

Paleo diet advocates claim that this type of food implies benefits for health as:
  • The balance of power throughout the day.
  • Get that blood sugar levels are stable and adequate.
  • Improve skin and teeth.
  • In the case of people who do sport, training is more effective and easier to complete.
  • Reduce allergies.
  • Burn the accumulated fat and, therefore, lose weight and prevent long-term obesity.
  • The combination of meat and fish with vegetables and fruits still long enough, so that people who need to control their weight is not hungry.
  • It promotes rest and have a quality sleep.
Article contributed for educational purposes
Health and Wellness