Throughout the evolution of man, our diet has changed as we encountered new foods and migrated to new areas. However, not all changes are good. In recent years we've changed our diet to be heavy in grains, sugar and processed foods. Paleo diet proponents suggest that we've deviated from the diet we were eating. Proof of our deviation shows up in ill health, food allergies ans intolerances, and the numerous health conditions that plague many people today. Perhaps the most notable proof of all is the rising rate of obese and overweight individuals.
One of the most significant changes in our diet occurred around 10,000 years ago. It was around this time that we began transitioning from a hunter-gatherer diet, to one that reflected our movement into agriculture. Agriculture brought a variety of grains and legumes, as well as dairy products. Today, these foods are widely consumed, and are even staple foods for many.
Before our switch to agriculture, we lived on a hunter-gatherer diet for around 2.5 million years. For 2.5 million years we foraged and hunted for a variety of wild plants and animals. Our diets consisted of animals, nuts, seeds and plants. It's only been in the last 10,000 years that we have begun to eat grains, legumes, and dairy. Paleo diet experts argue that 10,000 years hasn't been enough time for our digestive systems to adapt to these foods.
Over the 2.5 million year time period when we ate a hunter-gatherer diet, not only did our bodies adapt to the lifestyle, but our digestive system adapted to the foods we predominately ate. The Paleo solution is to eat foods that our ancestors ate during the Paleolithic era.
To eat the Paleolithic way, you must stop eating all grains, dairy, legumes, salt, refined sugar, processed oils and processed foods in general. If it's not something you can catch or pick in the wild, you can't eat it.
The foods that can be eaten include lean meats, plants, nuts, and seeds. For protein, fish and other lean meats can be consumed. Many purists suggest eating grass fed beef, wild game and additive-free meats. Grass fed beef is promoted because grass is the natural food source for cattle, instead of the grains that cows are fattened on today. Nuts and seeds serve as an additional source of protein. Eggs can also be eaten for protein.
A variety of plants can be eaten. Vegetables and fruits provide sources of vitamins and carbohydrates. Other foods that could have been gathered by a hunter-gatherer include mushrooms, and all sorts of herbs and spices. Healthy oils such as extra virgin olive oil, and unrefined olive oil are allowed.
