The Paleo diet, also known as the so-called diet of primitive man, is a popular system based on healthy, unprocessed food, with a balance between plant and animal foods.
A properly composed Paleo diet can help improve health, as well as be a useful preventive/health-promoting tool. Experts emphasize that, with the implementation of protocols, it can successfully work as a dietary model for people with autoimmune diseases, as well as gastrointestinal problems. This is an obvious advantage, because not every diet is good for the intestines or for problems with the immune system.
These are, of course, examples of how the Paleo diet can work even in really difficult cases. This does not mean, however, that it is intended only for the groups mentioned. It will be a good option for almost anyone who wants to take care of their health. All the more so because it is quite flexible, and with the right knowledge it is easy to make modifications as needed.
To sum up, both the Paleo diet and the Samurai diet are considered among the healthiest dietary systems.
Paleo Diet – What Is It and What Does It Involve?
The Paleo diet is often called the diet of primitive man. Of course, it is not quite like that, because we live in very different times, and the diet of our ancestors was not entirely healthy either. It is about healthy products that are as natural as possible and as little processed as possible. For example, meat will be suitable to eat, but not necessarily sausage, pâté or cold cuts. Of course, there are different approaches to the system.
In principle, Paleo excludes products that primitive people did not consume because, for example, they did not have access to them. The model is similar to the diet of our ancestors, although adapted to the times and conditions. A good example is eggs, which long ago were certainly not as common as they are now. Therefore, we do not eat them every day. All the more so because in this form it may be associated with
intolerances or allergic complications.
Of course, there are also more modern versions of the system that allow dairy products, seeds and nuts, to which primitive people probably did not have regular access. In turn, such a basic, clean and classic Paleo diet excludes dairy products because of troublesome casein and lactose (milk sugar), among other things. Regular consumption may intensify inflammation and irritate our intestines. In the restrictive version, the Paleo diet is actually a lifestyle, not just a dietary system. What seems interesting and positive to me is that there is no waste here. Namely, almost every part of the animal can be used to benefit the body. Bones, various cuts of meat, offal, etc.
By the way, offal eaten from time to time is a great source of vitamins, as well as desirable fatty acids. If you were wondering, bones together with meat can be a great base for soups (e.g. broth, the so-called "power soup").
Of course, the dietary model includes not only meat and fats, which are essential for the body and mind. In addition to animal products, we also eat plant products, namely fruits and vegetables. Green vegetables are especially valued. It is known that some products are seasonal and it is hard to get the more natural ones. In such cases, offal rich in valuable nutrients, as well as pickled / fermented products, will work well.
However, it is worth remembering that we consume fruit in moderation because of fructose, which can cause problems. A balance between both should be maintained. As a side note, I will mention that chlorophyll contained in plants is beneficial for the intestines. Experts believe that chlorophyll, due to its oxygen transport properties, is a good support for some beneficial intestinal bacteria.
A more restrictive version of Paleo assumes the consumption of natural products in raw form, that is, tartare, raw eggs or, for example, sashimi. However, it should be remembered that the body must get used to such a diet, build up tolerance, and it may turn out to be problematic… There is a risk of parasites, for example. Not everyone also does well on such a dietary model. The raw form additionally includes vegetables, fruits, and sources of fatty acids (coconut, avocado, olives).
The Samurai diet is derived from Paleo and has been expanded, for example, with gluten-free groats. It also does not contain such a large proportion of carbohydrates, and its effectiveness is also linked to physical activity. You can read a bit more about the "Samurai" in a separate article.
Paleo Diet - What Don't We Eat?
- the dairy products mentioned earlier,
- highly processed products,
- fried products,
- vegetable fats (except coconut, avocado and olive oil),
- especially corn oil, sesame oil, peanut oil,
- legumes (the presence of harmful lectins that irritate the intestines and contribute to inflammation),
- grains and grain products (gluten, gluten-like proteins and phytic acid).
Paleo Diet
If possible, it is best to choose organic products, from natural farms. In Paleo, we are not afraid of fats, because the body needs both unsaturated and saturated ones – it is a matter of choosing the right sources of fatty acids. When it comes to eating raw foods, the products should come from trusted sources. As for food combinations, they are:
- meat + vegetables,
- meat + fermented foods,
- fruits are best eaten on their own (we eat fruit on its own).
Of course, the dietary system can be modified according to needs, while keeping the main principles. So it is possible to create a Paleo version that has fewer carbohydrates than the classic one. Not everyone also weighs foods and counts calories, but it is not forbidden. We wish you health!
