We have a nationwide epidemic - it's called obesity. We are obsessed with dieting because of it. But diets come and diets go. Which diet has been around longer than any other? The Paleo Diet - it's literally as old as the caveman, because it is literally the diet of the caveman.
Picture our prehistoric ancestors - fighting off the sabor tooth tiger and hunting down a mammonth. That took strength, muscle and endurance. So what did they consume to give them that energy? The ate what they could hunt and what they could gather right around them. Lean meats, fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts.
The current-day Paleo diet is based on the idea that the caveman ate as we were meant to eat. They did not farm or raise livestock. They did not grind grains to bake bread or milk cows to make butter and cheese. They hunted for game and birds, fished and caught seafood. And they gathered plants, fruits and nuts from their immediate surroundings.
When we look at the problems our modern-day diet has caused in declining health, chronic heart disease, diabetes and obesity, we have to look at the processed foods and empty calories we consume as being a big cause, along with our ever decreasing level of physical activity.
While we don't all have to become athletes, we can take a clue from the many high-level athletes who have jumped on the Paleo diet bandwagon. Athletes find this is the perfect diet for building lean muscle, losing body fat and increasing energy. That is because the big emphasis is on protein from lean meats, poultry and seafood. And when you add in the fresh fruits and vegetables and eliminate all the processed foods, sugar and grains, you have the perfect formula for weight loss and increased well-being.
Understanding the basics of the Paleo Diet is one thing. Following it is quite another because it calls for us to stop consuming so many of the foods we've become "addicted" to, such as sugar (candy), fried foods (french fries), dairy (ice cream!), all processed foods (bread, pasta, pizza), and alcoholic beverages. So why try? Can you do it?
Consider your overall health. Do you suffer from allergies? Diabetes? High blood pressure or are you very overweight? Proponents of the diet say eating the Paleo way will address any and all of these chronic health problems. Paleo is allergen and gluten free, the two most common causes of food allergies. And you don't have to be hungry. You can eat as much as you like of the prescribed foods and there is and endless variety of delicious meals you can create using the basic Paleo diet ingredients.
You will reduce your caloric and fat intake, and increase your fiber and nutrient intake. So you really can't help but lose weight and feel more vibrant. All the better to help you fight off those sabor tooth tigers!
Sherri Simons is a writer who has been following the Paleo Diet for a number of years. You can check out her website at Paleo Diet Food Center where she provides an overview of the Paleo or Caveman diet and lists the foods that are included and excluded in How to Shop for the Paleo Diet and much more.
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Neat & Clean post..
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