When we mull over different ways and methods to lose weight, we somehow miss the true concept of eating 'healthy'. No wonder that people are increasingly trying to 'diet' by skipping meals, or flitting from one fad diet to another.
The quest for the ideal diet continues unendingly, and we seem to have developed this impression that going on a diet means computing calorie intake per day, taking lots of water and fasting to the extent of actually starving yourself. Eating 'healthy' seems to be last on the list.
There are diet regimens that encourage reduction of food consumption, but Paleo diet is thankfully not one of them. In fact, it promotes eating as much as you deem it appropriate while following a food guide that contains a specific list of foods.
This list includes only foods that a Paleolithic man has eaten during his life as a cave dweller and a hunter. It encourages one to eat foods high in protein and fat while consuming less of carbohydrates and starchy foods or eliminating them totally if possible. Because of the reduction of carbohydrate intake, the person is inclined to eat more meat and fruits as alternatives to cereals, dairy products and legumes.
Even though there are criticisms thrown against the concept of Paleo diet, the advantages can certainly outweigh the cons and speculations it roused from the critics. Yes, it can be restrictive because of the limited supply of carbohydrates which converts the glucose that we need to function. But grains and other foods that are high in carbs are not the only sources of energy.
There are other substitutes like fruits and vegetables to make up for the carb content, and they can provide the essential nutrients to our body.
If our ancestors could comfortably live off of only meats of wild animals and fruits to survive, why can't we survive on the Paleo diet that is based on the same concept?
Aside from acting as a contributing factor in weight loss, studies also show that this diet can also help in treating neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease. By eliminating gluten from the diet which is found in cereals and legumes, and sugar which is included as one of the foods to avoid in the Paleo food list, it might help reverse or eliminate one of the common symptoms associated with this disease, which are tremors. It also lowers the chance of having cardiovascular disorders, diabetes mellitus and many types of cancer.
