Our ancestors evolved in a period where human beings had access to only certain kinds of foods. These were typically vegetables or fruits, or a few types of meat (usually meat which is lean in fat). Back in our “caveman” days we were hunter-gatherers, which consumed the freshest meats, vegetables and fruits every day. As a result, modern researchers have designed a new diet called the “Paleo” diet which is designed to take people back to these more humble beginnings. The paleo diet is designed around what our ancestors typically would eat, and is specifically made to encourage people to eat healthy in order to be healthy. By switching the foods we eat back to what humans originally ate, we’re more likely to live longer and healthier than we otherwise would, according to research.
What is the Paleo Diet Based On?
Since this diet is based upon the foods ancestors of humans ate, basically all refined sugars, processed foods, and packaged foods are prohibited. Only foods which we have historically eaten for eons are permitted. For example, foods such as deli meats, chicken wings (fried), sausages, bacon, pepperoni, etc are not considered to be foods mankind had much previous access to before the modern era. The Paleo diet’s food list actually allows for most meats, just not many of these processed and bulk manufactured things. Foods such as fresh sirloin steaks, fish, or chicken are permitted because they’re more natural.
Farming was only developed some 10,000 years ago. Prior to that humans lived in groups of hunter-gatherers and were specifically as “scavenger” type of species. Certain types of whole grains, for example, are really not very good for us as a result. Many parts of the Paleo diet recommend a completely gluten-free daily intake as well as this is what is most natural. Beyond wheat, things like corn, barley, millet, rye, rice and oats are not permitted on the diet. You also wouldn’t be permitted to eat anything that’s made from these ingredients as well. A more natural thing that our ancestors had access to was food they could gather from plants, which includes hanging fruits, berries, other types of natural fruits that haven’t been cultivated and changed for centuries.
While there are limits to what you can eat on the Paleo diet, there’s also many foods which are permitted as well. Many vegetables, fruits and meats are allowed. Though our ancestors did not have access to dairy products typically, they did have access to eggs. Eggs are a great protein that you can eat as part of this diet. You can make omelets, for example, with freshly harvested vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers or mushrooms. Fruits such as berries, oranges, grapefruits, etc. are also all allowed on this diet. Carrots as well, whether cooked or uncooked, are also allowed. Really just about all vegetables of fruits are permitted. Our ancestors typically acquired their fats from meat, but most animals available for hunting are quite lean. Vension, and lean steaks are permitted, as well as rabbit, fish, and chicken. Previous generations of humans all had access to these types of foods in some abundance.
The best part about these types of food is that they give you extremely high levels of energy, but also aid in digestion. You not only feel full and satisfied for long periods after eating them, but your energy levels will rise considerably more than from carb heavy foods. Carbs were rare in humanity’s diet until the advent of farming some 10,000 years ago. Carbohydrates can be complex and can actually turn into fats without our body, which is why we crave them so much from an evolutionary perspective. However, carbs are also less natural than the lean meats and vegetables we would have commonly eaten in the past.