What IS Paleo?

The Paleo Diet is an attempt to eat like our ancestors, our really, really old ancestors. It’s called the caveman diet because essentially, that’s what it is. Cavemen didn’t eat cinnamon buns and donuts, and neither should you!

They ate what was available, what they could hunt and gather: meats, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds. There is still some serious debate about legumes and dairy. I say, make your own judgment call.

Still think it’s just a trendy diet? Robb Wolf, a Paleolithic nutritional expert and New York Times Best Selling Author explains, “think of a 100-yard football field. The first 99 ½ yards are how long Homo-Sapiens spent as hunter-gatherers. The last half-yard represents our species after the agricultural revolution, where our diet has shifted but our genetics haven’t.”* IF it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

The Primal Pyramid!

So, What Can I Eat?

Good:

• ALL lean meats
• ALL fish/shellfish
• Eggs
• Vegetables (yes, even avocados)
• Tubers 
• Fruits
• Nuts (no peanuts if you’re avoiding legumes)
• Seeds
• Healthy fats
• Oils (Olive, avocado, coconut walnut, flaxseed, and canola oils)

Think of the possibilities!

Bad:

• Sugar (all forms)
• Carbohydrates (yes, even whole wheat)
• Dairy
• Legumes
• Anything processed (think of why you’re doing this)

In all of my reading, something I’ve grown to really respect and admire about the Paleo community and professionals is their flexibility. Many experts preach the 80/20 theory.  

What’s that?

Basically, if you’re trying and changing, that’s enough. What it breaks down to is living strictly Paleo for 80% of your life and enjoying modern day indulgences for the other 20.

Questions?

Comment! Or send me an email. I’m by no means an expert, simply an admiring fan and avid reader. I’m hoping to learn through experience and further research, BUT I promise to answer anything as best as I can or help you find the answer.

* Wolf, Robb. The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet. Las Vegas: Victory Belt, 2010. Print.