The Paleo diet – A controversial nutritional plan

For most of us, healthy eating is not quite simple, even if many people suggest that it is easy and effortless. You probably discovered by now that there are countless different weight loss programs and diets to select from, but many of these plans contradict each other.

The Paleo diet is a weight loss plan in vogue and it keeps increasing in popularity. Also known as the Paleolithic diet, caveman diet, Stone Age diet, preagricultural diet, Neanderthin diet and other names, this eating plan became famous among celebrities, some of them being Jessica Biel, Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus and Megan Fox.

Based on the presumed diet of Paleolithic humans, the Paleo diet consists mostly of grass-fed pasture raised meats, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, fungi, roots and nuts. This nutritional plan excludes the consumption of legumes, grains, dairy products, potatoes, processed oils as well as refined salt and sugar.

Claimed to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and many chronic diseases, this diet improves the athletic performance if it is followed while having an intense daily routine of exercises, it helps users lose weight, increases libido, raises the metabolism and the energy rate and promises a longer, more active and healthier life.

The Paleo diet has a high nutrient density, providing great amounts of vitamins and minerals, it doesn’t include counting or measuring the intake of food but it requires a lot of physical exercises, in order to make as much activity as made by people during Paleolithic era.

However, the Paleo diet demands a huge change of eating practices, which is why many people are not capable to follow it. Some of the recommended foods, such as grass fed beef, are quite expensive and even hard to find while some people are worried because they think that the necessary amount of calcium will not be absorbed in the organism, if they do not eat dairy products. But many greens have a lot of calcium and a lot of the world’s population cannot ingest dairy products, because their organism can’t process it, yet they live just fine.

Many critics have doubted the correctness and reliability of the science on which this nutritional plan is based. Although it is accurate that our ancestors ate only unprocessed food and had constant activity, some ancient remains indicate around similar circumstances of modern-day cancer. In addition, the cavemen generally lived until about 18 years old, they did not ingest dairy, grains, salt or processed food, nor carbohydrates significant for our energy and brain function, salt for neural function, nor dairy in order to have strong bones.

Recommending the consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, olive oil, coconut oil, and mainly meats, fish and eggs, the Paleo diet ensures a higher intake of protein, fiber, potassium, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, mono and polyunsaturated fats, balanced consumption of Omega 3 and Omega 6 as well as lower intake of carbohydrates, sodium.

Combined with intensive physical activity, the Paleo diet could assist your weight loss and help you maintain a healthier lifestyle. Are you willing to make these significant changes and adopt Paleo’s eating practices?

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