The Basics: What is a paleo diet?
The definition of a paleo diet is a diet based on the types of foods presumed to have been eaten by early humans, consisting chiefly of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, and excluding dairy or grain products and processed food. A paleo diet should be high in fats, moderate amounts of protein, and moderate to low amounts of carbohydrates. It is important to eat an abundance of vegetables raw or cooked and limit your intake of fruits because of their naturally high amount of sugars. This type of diet focuses on the eating of natural non-processed food; basically food that was available back in the Stone Age. The paleo diet helps reduce inflammation, burns fat, increases energy, regulates blood pressure, and improves digestion. The diet can also aid in losing weight because the paleo diet forces your body to burn fat versus carbohydrates. Since your body is taking in less carbohydrates and higher amount of protein and fats, your body will burn the fat and protein first. When your body starts using fats and protein for energy, your energy levels rise because fats are slow burning compared to carbohydrates.
The main food groups consumed in this diet is:
- Meats
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Lean Beef
- Bison
- Fish
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Tuna
- Eggs
- Vegetables
- Lettuce
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Red/Yellow Peppers
- Spinach
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Fruits
- Watermelon
- Apples
- Cantaloupes
- Avocado
- Tomatoes
- Bananas
- Nuts
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Walnuts
- Pistachios
- Pecans
- Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Healthy Fats and Oils
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- Olive Oil
- Avocado Oil
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