What is the Paleo diet all about? This is a question that many people ask themselves the moment they hear about this particular diet. This is also referred to as Paleolithic diet or Caveman’s diet in some circles. This is a diet that is made up of natural foods which are geared towards ensuring that the users stay in shape as well as maintain perfect health.
By now you should know that I am a big believer in Beachbody workouts because of what it did to change my life. If you don’t know, I included a video link below.
This paleo diet that’s grown so popular is what I basically used to lose 23 lbs with P90X. The funny thing is, I didn’t know about the Paleo Diet in detail back then. Looking back, it’s like a copy of the foods I ate. The Paleo plan goes in line with the kinds of foods you want to eat to get the best results with any workout routine.
A look at the people who lived in the early generations shows that they were healthy. They were also energetic, strong and lean which is a far cry from what we see with the current generations.
Somewhere down the line, diets changed with the introduction of unnatural foods which have led to several complications. People are now susceptible to obesity, heart disease and other complications which can be attributed to the type of diet they have. This is why people are now turning back to the Caveman’s diet with the view of reversing this trend.
The Paleo Diet is the result of years of research by Dr.Loren Cordain.
What Foods Are Allowed in a Paleo Diet
The idea behind this diet was for one to go back to eating natural foods which are healthier and this is reflected in the choice of foods that are included. The foods that are included in a Paleo diet include:
1. Vegetables
Vegetables are known for the health benefits which they provide. They are a good source of vitamins which are known for their ability to boost the immunity levels of the body as well as providing the fiber which helps out in digestion and waste elimination. Some experts usually say that the best vegetables are the ones which can also be eaten raw for example in the form salads. However, this also includes all types of vegetables though there are some varying opinions about stem tubers such as potatoes and cassavas.
2. Fruits
A look at the early man will show that the wild fruits were a major part of their daily diet considering that this was part of their surroundings. With this in mind, all types of fruits are allowed in the diet. The only exception is the high sugar fruits or the dry fruits especially for the people who are looking to shed some weight.
3. Meat and Eggs
Meat and the eggs form one of the most important parts of this diet. This is mainly because of the fact that they are the main source of protein which is essential for body building. This is especially due to the fact that one is also looking at trying to get the best physique possible. You need to avoid meat that has preservatives, additives, flavor enhancers, food color as well as nitrites. The meat should be natural and untreated just the same way that our ancestors used to have it. The best meat products that one should feed on are generally from animals which feed on green plants and grass. This means eating game meat, goat meat, beef, lamb, chicken, turkey while the eggs can be from ducks, quail, emu and chickens.
4. Fats and Oils
No diet is complete without fats and oils and this was also the case in the Paleo diets our ancestors. This can be obtained from hazelnut oil, avocado oil, walnut oil, olive oil and coconut oil.
5. Nuts and Seeds
This is available in coconut and almond nuts. Peanuts are not considered as nuts. The seeds can be gotten from flax seeds.
Other foods that can be considered when looking at this diet include:
– Fish, fish eggs and fish shells
– Sea vegetables and sea weeds
– Beverages such as fresh juice, and tea (herbal).
What Foods Should Be Avoided In Paleo Diet?
1. Legumes – They include beans, peas, peanuts, lentils and soy.
2. Highly processed oils
3. Refined sweeteners such as refined maple syrup and refined honey
4. Pasteurized dairy products
5. Iodized salts
Quick Hits of the Paleo Diet – What Is The Paleo Diet
If anyone asks you, “what is the paleo diet?”, you can simply say that it’s a natural approach to nutrition that includes balance and variety eaten in a way the healthiest people consume 5 to 6 meals per day. It’s a way to get back to how our bodies were meant to eat before all the other harmful ingredients made it’s way in our food and made our world bigger. Eating the raw, natural way can prevent you from dealing with the diseases that occur today because of malnutrition.
Paleo Diet For Fitness
If your fitness goals are to become strong, lean, and healthy inside, then implementing the paleo diet with your workouts are a great combination. This is very similar to what I ate during my 90 day P90X/Insanity transformation. I stayed as natural as possible without adding extra ingredients like sugar filled juices, high calorie and saturated fat sauces, ect.
If you stay on track with this paleo diet, your can be assured that you will get results as long as your consistent and have a direct plan. Use the Paleo recipes and make sure you are eating your recommended daily calorie intake so your body can refuel from your intense workouts.
Dr. Loren Cordain also wrote a book, Paleo Diet For Athletes
- Why the typical athletic diet (top-heavy with grains, starches, and refined sugars) is detrimental to recovery, performance, and health
- How the glycemic load and acid-base balance impact performance
- Why consumption of starches and simple sugars is only beneficial in the immediate post-exercise period
Considering the benefits associated with taking the Caveman’s diet, people who are likely to benefit when they combine it with their workout routine include:
– People who are looking to replace body fat with lean muscle
– People who are looking to eat healthy food that is good for their heart
– People who are looking to maintain their weight when eating healthy foods.
These are just some of the aspects you are bound to discover when you look at what the Caveman’s diet is about. So, What is the Paleo Diet? Now You Know.
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