The paleo diet is a dietary pattern that emulates the diet of our hunter-gatherer ancestors from the Paleolithic era, which lasted from approximately 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. Proponents of the diet believe that humans are genetically adapted to the dietary patterns of this era and that modern diets are responsible for many of the health problems that we face today.
The paleo diet emphasizes the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods and eliminates many of the foods that are common in modern diets, such as grains, legumes, dairy, and refined sugars. The diet includes a variety of foods such as meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.
Proponents of the paleo diet argue that by eliminating foods that are not well-tolerated by the human digestive system and by increasing the consumption of nutrient-dense, whole foods, the paleo diet can improve health and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.
The following is a list of foods that are typically included in a paleo diet:
- Meat: Grass-fed beef, poultry, pork, lamb, game meats, etc.
- Fish and Seafood: Wild-caught salmon, shellfish, etc.
- Eggs: Chicken eggs, duck eggs, etc.
- Vegetables: Leafy greens, root vegetables, squashes, etc.
- Fruits: Berries, apples, bananas, etc.
- Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, etc.
- Healthy Fats: Olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, etc.
- Tubers: Sweet potatoes, yams, etc.
Foods that are typically eliminated or limited on the paleo diet include grains, legumes, dairy, and refined sugars. Additionally, processed foods, vegetable oils, and artificial sweeteners are generally discouraged on the paleo diet.