Introduction:
The foundation of the paleo diet comes from a collection of research and writings about the diet of human ancestors. Although these writings are not in total agreement as to what this diet was, there are many common themes.
"Modern Paleolithic" diets are based on the idea that humans and their ancestors were evolving for millions of years before reaching the Neolithic period, during which farming and other advancements radically changed the human diet to the detriment of human health. Further changes in the last century, and even more in the last two decades, have accelerated this process.
Names:
The diet's variations go by many different names, including: Paleo diet, Primal Diet, Paleodiet, Paleolithic Diet, Cave Man Diet, Stone Age Diet, Neaderthin, Pre-agricultural Diet, Hunter-Gatherer Diet
Authors:
A wide variety of authors write about paleo eating, including Loren Cordain, S. Boyd Eaton, Arthur De Vany, Robb Wolf, Mark Sisson, Ray Audette, Walter Voegtlin, and many others.
Main Books:
Popular books about the paleo way of eating include:
-
The Paleo Diet (most recent edition 2010) by Loren Cordain
Online Ordering:
- The Paleo Answer (2012) by Loren Cordain
Online Ordering: - The New Evolution Diet (2011) by Arthur De Vany
Online Ordering: - The Paleo Solution (2010) by Robb Wolf
Online Ordering: - The Primal Blueprint (2009) by Mark Sisson
Online Ordering: - Neanderthin (2000) by Ray Audette
- The Paleo Answer (2012) by Loren Cordain
Other Writings:
Those who are interested in this diet should surely check out the vast array of links on the Paleodiet Web site.
Restricted Foods :
The following foods in our modern diets were not available to Paleolithic people: any processed food, any food with added sugars, grains except for very small amounts of whole grains, legumes, dairy products, and food additives such as artificial sweeteners. Tubers such as potatoes that require cooking aren't allowed by most of the diets.
Allowed Foods:
Meat, fish, eggs, most vegetables, fruit, nuts. Some allow honey in small amounts. Some emphasize food being organic, if possible. Ideally, animals should eat a diet natural to them -- in other words, cows should eat grass, not grain, etc. Animals who eat this way have meat with less saturated fat, and is said to be healthier in other ways.
Amount of Restriction:
By today's standards this diet is very restricted, as it has been estimated that close to three quarters of the standard diet in the U.S. consists of foods not available to Paleolithic people.
Amount of Structure:
None - the idea is simply to "eat like a caveman", and hopefully to exercise more like him as well (which is to say "a lot"). No counting or measuring required.
