There are a lot of weight reduction diets, but some of them have gained a lot of popularity. In the last years a lot of interest was brought by paleo diet, which is also called a primitive man diet. It’s therefore worth having a closer look at it.
The second name of paleo diet wasn’t added without a reason. The creator based himself on the idea of what primitive people went through during evolution, and how perfectly we have adapted to Palaeolithic diet. Neolithic period was almost one thousand years shorter, therefore people didn’t have the possibility to independently adapt to the changes that occurred. At this stage it’s worth noting that no evidence was preserved that would show what our ancestors were eating. At the same time, it’s also worth noting that paleo is not just a diet, but also a lifestyle. It was developed by an American scientist – Dr Loren Cordain.
Admittedly, our ancestors engaged in gathering and hunting, but it’s possible to use paleo without foraging. However, vegetarians should not consider the paleo diet, as the most important food product is lean meats, fish and sea food. Leafy vegetables, root vegetables and cabbage also play an important role. There are a few overall rules to healthy eating habits. It’s necessary to eliminate any processed food from the menu, like artificial trans fats and refined sugar. On the list of forbidden products you can also find legumes, dairy, sugary beverages, sweets, beer and food with salt. Things like eggs, dried fruit, nuts, potatoes, canola oil, olive oil and wine can be consumed in limited amounts. There are no limits with any of the other food. According to the authors of paleo diet, protein should supply between 20% to 35% of daily calorie income, and fats between 30% and 50%. Carbohydrates are only at the bottom of the list.
Paleo diet can also be used by athletes. Before an intense physical workout it’s recommended to eat a meal rich in protein and branched chain amino acids. It can, for example, be one egg with a fruit such as a banana, watermelon or a peach. The last meal should be consumed at least 2 hours before the workout. After the workout the body should be supplied with a large portion of proteins and replenished with water, glycogen and electrolytes.
Paleo diet doesn’t require any use of supplements. Dietary supplements and nutrients are preparations that aren’t produced for such a long time, which means that our ancestors didn’t know of them. It doesn’t mean, however, that during the paleo diet supplementation is forbidden. It’s important to note that modern man lives in a different environment than a human from Palaeolithic period. Our ancestors lived in a sunny area around the equator, which means they didn’t have to worry about Vitamin D deficiency, and in modern times cholecalciferol deficiency is really common.
It’s also worth considering using supplements to replenish omega 3 and omega 6, as paleo, similarly to many other diets, may not completely cover the needs of fatty acids which play a really important role in a human body.
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