Paleo- A prefix that means "prehistoric" or "early or primitive" (as in Paleolithic).
Paleo can be most simply described as a way of life, just like crossfit. It is often referred to as the “caveman diet.” Paleo is a diet of simplicity; it contains only the basics and removes all foods that are processed, that we have become so dependent on. While paleo is rather a simple diet, it is also quite complex in understanding it, so for further information, I would recommend reading The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet, Paleo Diet For Athletes, and any other book you can get your hands on.
However, if you are looking for a lighter read, I am here to offer you the cliff notes version.
The ground rules for Paleo are:
Do NOT eat:
1. Grains (i.e. cereal, bread, corn, rice, etc)
2. Legumes (i.e. peanuts, peas, beans, soy beans, lentils, etc)
3. Dairy (i.e. milk, yogurt, cheese, etc)
4. Sugar (including molasses, honey, artificial sweeteners, etc)
5. Processed foods
Do Eat:
1. All meats, fish and seafood
2. All (non-starchy) vegetables
3. All fruits (preferably those low on the glycemic index such as berries)
4. Nuts and seeds
5. Spices
Essentially, the guideline is “if our ancestors could pick it from a bush or catch it with a spear, you can eat it.”
Furthermore, the paleo is a low carb diet. Fear not though, for you will be getting plenty of carbs from your fruits and vegetables rather than from breads and cereals. In addition, unlike most diets, eating paleo encourages the consumption of healthy fats, which can be consumed through foods such as avocados, olive oil and almonds. And finally, the greatest things about paleo, no scale or measuring device needed. Just eat when you are hungry, and focus on getting lean protein into your diet.
For paleo recipes, check out Paleo Diet Lifestyle.
