The benefits of the paleo diet are now a matter of discussion among health-conscious people. Paleo Diet is termed a ‘human diet’ because it covers mostly plant and wildly sourced food items. At present, our poor diet choices reliance on processed food, and high sugar drinks are generating more brain strokes, heart diseases, and cancers at an epidemic rate. We are slowly losing our auto-immune system to fight diseases and becoming dependent on alternative immune-boosting items. As the food nature changes with time, we simply cannot cope with the changes compromising our autoimmune system. The idea of a paleo diet is to get us back to natural food resources.
Paleo Diet: Ancient Food Diet
The paleo diet is receiving substantial attention from health-conscious people now but the concept has been around forever. Around 10,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic time, our ancestors used to follow a diet different from today. Given that agriculture was not found until then, people mostly relied on plant-based food items and wild meat. The paleo diet is sort of similar only an updated diet version. Hence, this diet is called the ‘paleo diet’, a diet from the Paleolithic time as popularly referred to.
Herein, a comprehensive guide is developed with answers to the most asked questions about the paleo diet. If you intend to try out this diet to improve your food habits, check the food chart, meal plans, and more below.
Benefits of the Paleo Diet:
The Paleo diet is largely plant-based, though meat, fish, and seafood are also important. On the contrary, this diet completely excludes processed, modified, or refined food. The Paleo diet supports food that is important but has lost its appeal.
Four things an entry-level paleo diet will do to your body bit by bit:
- Improved metabolism and reduced cravings
- Sleep progression
- Reduced unhealthy and untimely cravings
- Weight loss
At a glance, body functionality improves a lot. Besides, other positive changes happen to your body steadily which you will only feel for a longer period such as:
Improves Nutrient Ratios:
The optimum ratio of sodium and potassium for a healthy body should be 1:2. Regrettably, it has gone down to 10:1 due to poor diet choices in society. Similar to the magnesium-calcium ratio. High intake of sodium or magnesium has created this imbalance and later health hazards. A paleo diet will bring a change to your regular food pallet, which means you will consume less unhealthy food and snacks. Over time, blood pressure and cholesterols become normal. Also, inflammation is reduced.
Boost of Auto-Immune Weakens Chronic Illness:
The paleo diet strengthens our immunity with enriched vitamins and minerals from natural dietary. Non-refined, freshly produced groceries boost our immunity to a level. Blood sugar drops eventually. As a result, chronic diseases like diabetes become under control. Moreover, low-fat dairy products and lean meat lead to a drop in cardio risks. A study on diet patterns shows more effective results from the paleo diet than any other diet in this regard.
The anti-aging Formula in Paleo Food Intake
As we grow old, sore bone joints or sleep regression become common. The natural process of aging is inevitable. We cannot deny it but we can slow the process with a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and food choices. Many major studies from a public health perspective show that around 85% of the diseases in old age happen due to poor food habits and lifestyle. Nonetheless, everyone wishes to have youthful vigor as long as possible. A paleo diet can help. For a youthful demeanor, a nuts and seeds-based diet plays a vital role in filtering your body from toxic substances.
Weight Loss
A high-carb diet is highly responsible for weakening our brain cells which further leads to cognitive damage, i.e. dementia. The paleo diet list includes vegetables, meat, eggs, seafood, fruits and nuts, and food that is sourced from nature or produced fresh on the soil. Packed with nutrients like minerals and vitamins, the paleo diet contains high fiber and low glycemic (food that increases blood sugar level) intake. So far, reducing carbs in the food menu, will improve your fat burning and lose weight eventually.
Mood swings become rare.
An overall drop in physical stressors certainly leads to an improved mental state. Research shows a deep connection between low mood and high blood pressure, low testosterone, and vitamin deficiency. The paleo diet keeps the vital organs functioning, and aids the deficiencies. Along with it, exercise works as a performance booster. Consequently, depression and mood swings will bother you less.
What to Eat and Not Eat for Paleo Diet
The paleo diet includes food items that people have been eating since the beginning of agriculture and animal herding. Items that are staple to the paleo diet chart are:
Items to Eat
- Meats of eating animals
- Freshly produced vegetables and fruits
- Nuts, seeds
- Healthy oils (olive, macadamia, avocado, coconut, walnut, flaxseed)
Don’t Eat This
- Cereal grains
- Legumes (including peanuts)
- Dairy
- Refined sugar beverages and sweets
- High sugar drinks
- Salty food
- junk/processed food
Rule of Flexibility: 85% diet, 15% cheat meal
Except for a cheat meal once or twice, any sort of diet demands full loyalty to the prescribed diet chart for a visible result. On the contrary, paleo dietitians think that someone can stay healthy with 85% of the diet replaced with paleo foods. Perhaps, being 100% on this diet risks abandoning it completely given that it discourages consuming alcohol and processed fast foods. More importantly, even following 80% of the paleo diet can bring health benefits if it is consistent.
One key argument of this 85/15 rule is to focus on the start and keep it easier for beginners. Besides, shifting towards a completely different sort of diet is a big challenge while you are indulging in numerous options of unhealthy food. Start with paleo-approved items for most of your meals and allow a little room once in a while for minimally healthy items.
The majority prefer taking 10% as minimally processed food like dairy and legumes and 5% as completely processed food like snacks and drinks, combining a total of 15%. Thus, 85% and 15% (10%+5%) seem more attainable.
Be Careful about these common mishaps on the Paleo Diet
Avoid these drawbacks for effective results from the diet:
- Over-relying on selected items: Not all “Paleo” products are suitable for your boy, especially unused seeds. Be aware of allergies and food poisoning.
- Neglecting Vegetables: Ensure you’re getting plenty of vegetables for nutrients.
- Focusing Too Much on Meat: Balance your plate with fruits and vegetables more. Meat is substantial for protein intake.
Conclusion
Embarking on a fitness journey can lead to numerous health benefits of the paleo diet, including weight loss and increased energy. Stay patient and embrace the motivation for a thrilling new phase of health, reassured that you have support and acceptance throughout this journey. The science behind it is highly convincing, and the outcomes are just as freeing.