Dining like it’s 2.5 million BC might seem like an absurd goal, but many urban health buffs and fitness enthusiasts claim such a diet is the key to good health.
The paleolithic diet, also known as the “paleo” diet or the “caveman” diet, attempts to mimic the presumed menu of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. This diet consists mainly of a variety of natural, unprocessed meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, nuts and some seeds.
Because agriculture developed a mere 10,000 years ago, the paleo diet excludes grains, legumes, dairy products and potatoes, which became popular among the human population as a result of farming. The diet also excludes refined salt, refined sugar and processed oils. Alcohol is off the table.
“The whole movement is to identify the foods that have the most benefits,” says Dhani Oks, owner and director of training at Academy of Lions, a cross-fit gym and nutrition centre in Toronto. “And for the majority of human history, we were essentially reared on this type of diet.”
Oks recommends the diet for many of his fitness clients. More than half of the people who attend his gym are on it. In 2010, Oks added a café to his club that caters to the paleo and gluten-free diets.
Oks, who has been on the diet himself for five years, points out that the diet comes in various versions, so you can choose one that suits your preference.
“Some people think it would be really cool just to be able to eat a bunch of meat,” Oks says. “But heading out to the local KFC for a bucket of chicken is not what the lifestyle is about. It’s really important to connect to the core ideas and understand that it’s really something that you have to be dedicated to.”
For Oks, the paleo lifestyle is focused on eliminating processed foods and eating as naturally and locally as possible.
While the diet eschews wheat and dairy, some paleo followers incorporate some rice, potatoes, milk or cheese into their menus.
Health risks
The paleo diet is not without controversy. It has been called a “fad” diet, and some participants have used it as a way to shed pounds quickly. That could pose health risks, says Cara Rosenbloom, a registered dietitian with Toronto-based Words to Eat By and a member of Dietitians of Canada.
Drastic changes to your diet should not be taken lightly, Rosenbloom says. And people wishing to lose weight should consider other methods.
“When you remove two whole food groups [grains and milk products], you severely restrict your food options,” Rosenbloom says. “With fewer calories available, you will undoubtedly lose weight. But the trouble will be keeping the weight off in the long term, since it will be difficult to stay on such a restrictive diet.”
Instead, Rosenbloom suggests eating a balanced, healthy diet on a daily basis for long-term health and weight maintenance. She warns about the risk of nutrient deficiencies – fibre, calcium and various vitamins such as vitamin D.
“Your eating plan should contain a variety of delicious, healthy meals to choose from,” she says. “It should be filled with wholesome foods rather than processed foods. If a diet prevents you from dining with friends, eating in restaurants or travelling, it’s likely to be a fad diet that you won’t be able to follow for very long.”
Rosenbloom suggests consulting a registered dietician, who can develop an eating plan that suits your goals.
Oks admits he does not follow the paleo diet to a T. He takes vitamins and supplements because, he says, today’s environment is not what it was 2.5 million years ago. He even indulges in the odd slice of birthday cake or a glass of wine.
“You can’t be neurotic about your food,” he says. “We all have social pressures. And being able to balance those is an important component of living a healthy lifestyle.”
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