Eatin’ Like a Caveman… or Woman…
There has been a lot of chatter about the Paleo Diet lately. Have you wondered what it is all about?
Well, it is basically eating what our cave ancestors in the Paleolithic Age ate.
Meat
Free-range or grass-fed beef, pork, lamb, poulty, fish and other seafood, eggs, and game meats. According to the Paleo Diet, our diet should be comprised of between 20-35% of calories provided by protein, instead of the 15% that the Western Diet has now. There are many vitamins and minerals in meats as well.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Non-starchy, low-glycemic fresh fruits and vegetables provide much more fiber than other (grain based) carbohydrates. They are slowly digested and absorbed, unlike refined carbohydrates. And of course we know that fresh fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamins and minerals essential for good health.
Nuts and Seeds
These provide healthy fats as well as protein and fiber.
Healthy Oils
Olive, coconut, walnut, flaxseed, avocado, and macadamia. These fats provide healthy monosaturated and Omega-3 fats.
A diet of the the above foods will provide a balance between acid-producing and alkaline-producing foods, which helps prevent conditions that thrive in an acid environoment.
This website says that a “lifetime of excessive dietary acid may promote bone and muscle loss, high blood pressure and increased risk for kidney stones and may aggravate asthma and excercise-induced asthma.” This diet balances acid and alkaline.
The Paleo Diet also increases the dietary intake of potassium and lowers the intake of sodium.
Our hearts, kidneys and other organs depend on potassium to function properly. When sodium intake is higher and potassium intake is lower, we are at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes.
What Should I Not Eat?
Dairy Products, Cereal Grains, Refined Sugars, Legumes (including peanuts), Starchy Vegetables such as Potatoes, Salt, Refined Oil, and Processed Foods.
There is a lot that makes sense in the Paleo Diet. We do have a lot of diseases and conditions that are caused by our modern diet and lifestyle. And eliminating refined foods certainly would help our overall health.
Following the paleo diet is healthy and nutritious, and there are lots of ways that you can combine foods to make delicious breakfasts. They don’t all involve eggs, either! Here are just 10 paleo diet-friendly recipes to try out for your breakfasts.
Here is a fun chart to help you understand how to know if a food complies with the Paleo Plan.
I’m not sure I agree with the “That crap will kill you,” but this chart does help clarify what is Paleo and what isn’t!
Have You Tried the Paleo Diet?
Please comment if you have tried the Paleo Diet and let us know what you think. Is it hard to eat the Paleo way?
Lassen’s carries everything you need to eat on the Paleo Diet!
In upcoming posts I will share some recipes that comply with the Paleo Diet Plan!
Love,
Lassen’s