EATING like the ancestors is a theory that makes sense if you think about it, because using food or fuel, without the modern-day additives and preservatives, can only bode well for your body. The paleo diet, also known as the Paleolithic diet, is based on the idea of eating foods similar to what our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate during the Paleolithic era. The diet, dietician Keisha Black says, emphasises whole, unprocessed foods and excludes many modern agricultural products.
“The key components of the paleo diet are that it emphasised lean proteins — meat [preferably grass-fed], fish, seafood, and eggs. It also encourages a wide variety of fruits and non-starchy vegetables, nuts and seeds including almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds; and healthy fats.” She said dieters must avoid processed foods, eliminating refined sugars, grains (including wheat, rice, and corn), legumes (beans, lentils, and peanuts), and dairy products.
“The paleo diet can lead to weight loss due to its emphasis on nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods and the elimination of high-calorie, processed foods and refined sugars,” Black said. “By reducing or eliminating high-glycaemic-index foods like refined sugars and grains, the paleo diet helps stabilise blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for managing or preventing type 2 diabetes. The diet’s high protein and fibre content from lean meats, vegetables, and nuts can also increase feelings of fullness, which can help reduce overall calorie i.