The Paleo Diet
The Paleo Diet is based off the time period of the Paleolithic era which occurred 2.6 million years ago up right up until the agricultural revolution which was 10 000 years ago. The hunter-gatherer ancestors of that time, according to the Paleo diet, thrived on foods such as fresh meats (grass-produced or free-range or game meat), fish, seafood, fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and healthy oils (http://thepaleodiet.com/getting-started-with-the-paleo-diet/). The foods not allowed on this diet are grains, processed foods, refined sugars, legumes, and dairy products (http://thepaleodiet.com/getting-started-with-the-paleo-diet/). The Agricultural Revolution introduced toxins into all processed food according to the Paleo diet and anyone on the diet wants to rid themselves of these toxins and eat how their ancestors did (http://robbwolf.com/what-is-the-paleo-diet/)(http://healthland.time.com/2014/01/07/the-paleo-diet-craze-whats-right-and-wrong-about-eating-like-a-caveman/).
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Does It Work?
The Paleo diet is used to help eliminate harmful things that the body encounters like high cholesterol and blood sugar (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/20/paleo-diet-healthy_n_1898529.html). The diet works by eliminating grains, dairy, legumes, salt and sugars which are whole food groups necessary for proper health in most people (http://healthland.time.com/2014/01/07/the-paleo-diet-craze-whats-right-and-wrong-about-eating-like-a-caveman/)(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/20/paleo-diet-healthy_n_1898529.html). By eliminating salt and sugars it does eliminate any processed food which is a major contributor to weight gain so in this sense, the Paleo diet does provide a ways of weight loss initially. The problem with this diet is that it completely eliminates the major food groups such as grains, dairy and legumes which each provide their own special dietary benefits (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/20/paleo-diet-healthy_n_1898529.html). (Go to Healthy Eating section to refer to benefits) The Paleo dieters do focus, however, on eating lean proteins, many fruits and vegetables as well as nuts/seeds, and healthy fats. The lean protein helps to satisfy the appetite and build strong muscles and the increased vegetables and fruit intake provides a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, etc. The healthy fats are obtained from wild meat and fish, as well as nuts and seeds (http://robbwolf.com/what-is-the-paleo-diet/). Most people who have adopted this diet, which is more of a lifestyle because of how demanding it is, do heavily support it and say they feel better than they ever have after switching to it (http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/10/04/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet/)(http://healthland.time.com/2014/01/07/the-paleo-diet-craze-whats-right-and-wrong-about-eating-like-a-caveman/). In conclusion to whether or not it “works” really depends on the person, their age and general health. The people that go on this diet usually adopt it completely from then on but modifying it slightly so that there isn’t complete elimination but rather eating in proportion is what nutritionists such as Jennifer Andrus are explaining would be the best option if you are to jump on the Paleo wagon (http://healthland.time.com/2014/01/07/the-paleo-diet-craze-whats-right-and-wrong-about-eating-like-a-caveman/)(http://www.webmd.com/diet/paleo-diet).
Is It Sustainable?
This could go either way. There are the many advocates that say yes, it is very sustainable and have been eating this way for years. However, like previously stated, the fact of the matter is that this diet removes full food groups along with being a very restrictive diet. It will cost a person much more, due to buying everything organic and free range. If a person wants to sustain this diet for a longer length of time, costs and supplements will have to be considered in the long run (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/20/paleo-diet-healthy_n_1898529.html) Due to the Paleo diet requiring all foods to be organic and/or local, many people would have difficulty sustaining this because of where they live. In places where winters occur, getting locally grown organic vegetables and fruits is next to impossible. This diet could be sustainable for a person that lives for example in California where locally grown foods can be accessed all year round.