Amount of protein
Estimates are that the diets of these early people was about 20 to 35 percent protein. Paleo diet authors recommend high protein diets, usually at the upper end of this range.
Amount of Fiber
Although this varied greatly by geography and season, most Paleo people ate high fiber diets, of up to 100 to 200 grams of fiber. (The warmer the climate, the more plant food and fiber.)
Glycemic Load
There is no disputing the fact that Paleolithic people ate a diet that was far less
glycemic than today's diet. Carbohydrate probably contributed about 20 to 40 percent of the calories, and none of it was processed sugars and grains.
Vitamin and Mineral Consumption
It seems that the foods that have been added since those early days have mainly served to dilute the nutrient concentration in our diets. Grains are not very nutrient dense compared with vegetables, meat, and seafood, while added sugars and most cooking oils are devoid of nutrients.
Food Variety
Most Paleolithic people are said to have eaten over 100 different species of food on an annual basis. Most people do not achieve this in today's world, and yet we know that an assortment of food, especially a variety of fruits and vegetables, is one of the basic tenants of a healthy balanced diet.
Amount of Salt
We surely eat more salt now. Loren Cordain feels that the altered ratio of potassium to sodium is important.
Antinutrients
Writers about Paleolithic diets often talk about substances in grains, legumes, and some other foods which can interfere with absorption of nutrients, such as phytic acid. Other molecules, such as lectins, are said to contribute to a situation in the gut where the intestines let larger molecules pass into the blood, possibly contributing to allergies and autoimmune conditions. This condition is called "leaky gut," or "increased intestinal permeability."
Other Issues
Cordain points to the acid/base balance of foods, which he feels is altered.
