The paleo diet is also called the Caveman and Stone Age diet, and it is often followed to achieve optimal health. The diet advises one to avoid all processed foods and other types of food that cavemen would not have eaten or had access to. Many people follow the paleo diet to lose weight as well. The best tips for following a paleo diet are to eat protein and vegetable-rich meals and eliminate all refined sugars and bread products.

Foods that you should eat in this diet, include grass-fed meat, fish, seafood, eggs, fruits, veggies, herbal tea, coconut milk, and healthy fats. These are nutrient-rich and can maintain healthy metabolic, digestive and immune systems. There are a few foods that you need to avoid in the paleo diet and they include grains and gluten, processed foods, dairy, legumes, refined sugars, carbs, factory-farmed meats, and artificial sweeteners.

Pros of following a paleo diet

• Following a diet that is rich in potassium is one of the best tips for following a paleo diet. You need to eat fruit and vegetables that boost potassium levels. It is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure, healthy kidney and muscle function. Peas, broccoli, spinach, potatoes, and cucumbers are good examples.
• You should consume healthy fats and have fewer amounts of unsaturated fats. So, go for nuts, avocado, and olive oil that boost a healthy lipid profile.
• Proteins like chicken, turkey, eggs, and fish are important for the growth and development of the skin, muscles, and bone. It is better to include sufficient amounts of lean protein in the diet to have a healthy body composition and a lowered insulin response.
• Eliminating processed foods is another one of the great tips for following a paleo diet. The paleo diet contains whole foods, which allows for lesser consumption of salt and sugar. It also helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Cons of following a paleo diet

• You need to avoid food items such as grains and legumes. Hence, the paleo diet can be expensive.
• Following a paleo diet means no grains and no whole grains, which means that your body will not get these good sources of energy. Moreover, whole grains help to reduce the risk of any disease, improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels.
• People of the stone age did not eat dairy products. So, if you want to consume dairy in a paleo diet, you have to ensure that the animal is grass-fed. Those who are lactose intolerant and unable to digest dairy food should avoid dairy.
• Athletes need to continually load and reload muscle glycogen stores to maximize and optimize performance and recovery. A low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet does not allow this.
• The paleo diet does not provide calcium for stronger bones and vitamin D.

Following a paleo diet has both its pros and cons. You can check the above-mentioned tips for following a paleo diet and consult your doctor before you start following it.