Paleo 101

If the first image that comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Paleo diet" is one of a cave man then you at least have a foggy notion of the bare bones of this diet. Beyond that, things might seem murky.

As modern man and woman continue on our often frustrating path toward health and fitness, many of our contemporaries subscribe to the notion that we could in fact learn a thing or two about diet from our prehistoric ancestors. I mean, you just don't hear about cave renderings of overweight, much less obese, cave dwellers. That dubious distinction seems reserved mostly for our modern age of technology, convenience and endless streams of information and communication.

All of this dietary irony might lead health-seekers to wonder: "What is this Paleo diet and should I be doing it?" A Paleo primer might help us see what we can learn from our Paleo predecessors.

Paleo 101

Let's get all the names for the Paleo diet out of the way first. Depending on who is discussing this diet, they might refer to it as the “caveman diet," “the hunter-gatherer diet," “the Stone Age diet" and the Paleo diet." Though it isn't often said aloud, the Paleo diet also happens to resemble a whole foods diet since its foundation rests on eating whole and unprocessed foods.

Is It a Fad Diet?

Of course, that will depend on who you ask, whether they have a dog in the fight, what kind of data is available and each person's reasons and goals for eating a Paleo diet. So, in a word or two, it's subjective. It's hard to think of something that is 15,000 years old in origin as a “fad," really. It kept our severely stressed out ancestors from starving. Men were able to go out and hunt for weeks on end until they got the big score, upon which they would feed for months. At the same time, women would gather nuts, seeds and berries from the fields. Between the two whole food grabs, they did all right.

What's In?

Knowing what comprises the diet might provide the most illumination in this primer for you. Take a look at some of the basics below:

• Lean meats, seafood and poultry

• Healthy fats

• Nuts and seeds

• Vegetables

• Fruits

You can easily eat all of these foods, unprocessed and in their natural state. Also, when you cook them, you do not alter their basic makeup, so they retain the same nutrients that they had before preparation.

What's Out?

If it has been processed or is a starchy food, it isn't Paleo, so beware, potato fans. Take a look at the list and see if there are some items that you might be willing to release from your current diet in the name of Paleo and the possibility of a lean body and optimum health and fitness.

• Dairy

• Grains

• Legumes

• Processed food and sugars

• Alcohol

• Starches

Does It Help With Weight Loss?

While the experts don't seem particularly enamored of this eating regimen, there are some reported benefits—greatly anecdotal from fans that have in fact lost weight—from “eating Paleo."Similar to Atkins, you can burn off fat while your body feels satiated on its Paleo foods. Also, you feel more balanced energy throughout the day, which is probably due to the low carbohydrates and steady blood sugar throughout the day. With that, you will probably feel less prone to snacking between meals.

Does It Help With Anything Else?

Paleo proponent Robb Wolf reports that he and his readers note a better complexion, reduced allergies, anti-inflammatory benefits and better sleep, which is another boon to weight loss efforts.

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