Cave Man: The Paleo Diet
My good mate Crog is on a Paleo diet. He wants to ‘turn the big stone wheel’ one day. He scavenges fruit and nuts from the bushes surrounding his cave. Think The Flintstones and you’ve got yourself a Crog.
The menu for Crog and his Paleo mates are: vegetables, meat of grass-fed animals, nuts, fish, free-range eggs, fruits, seeds, herbs, spices, healthy oils and fats. Foods not allowed to be consumed are: sugars, processed foods, soft drinks, margarines, sweeteners or other processed fats. The idea behind it is to give the body back what it is ‘designed for’. This is the ‘caveman’ diet.
Using the Paleo diet reduces weight, with dieters benefiting hugely from the way the food has been cleaned of additives, preservatives and anti-inflammatory hindrances. A study conducted by US News & Food Report showed that: “14 participants lost an average of about 5 pounds after three weeks on a Paleo regimen.” While the diet doesn’t have the best track record around the world, with its controversial methods and strategies, it is still widely talked about, gaining a lot of media attention.
The Paleo diet, in a way, makes the art of food more appealing, alluring and mysterious. Paleo excludes dairy products though. This is the curve-ball, the sharp intake of air, the ‘shake of the head and back out slowly’ moment.
From this fact alone, it has received negative attention from the media recently, with the publishing and release of a cookbook promoting Paleo meals for babies. As babies have small stomachs, their digestive systems can’t possibly handle the Paleo restrictions. It seems there are two sides to this dietary coin. It is called the ‘caveman’ diet for a reason. There have even been reports of infant death due to this diet.
The Paleo diet promotes the consumption of ‘real’ food from the land. Food like nuts and fruits utilised by our Stone Age ancestors 2.5 million years ago. In 2013, Paleo was the most popular diet worldwide. In 2017, the craze is still among us, even with some celebrities, nutritionists and health professionals praising it highly. My Kitchen Rules judge and celebrity chef, Pete Evans, for example, lives by it. Crog is a big fan of MKR and he likes that Pete is preaching about Paleo. He prefers Manu though.
Whether you are on Paleo rations or not, the massive scope of this new way of living is too big to completely ignore. As Paleo is turning into such a worldwide fad, the research surrounding it is getting more extensive, allowing it to become more socially acceptable and user friendly.
6 Paleo Snacks to combat cravings
Have you decided to start eating healthily by trying out the Paleo diet, but are worried you can no longer have delicious snacks between meals? Well, have no fear! Here are six snack ideas that are Paleo-friendly and also so delicious!
Nuts
Nuts are good for a healthy heart. Any type of nut contains a balanced level of unsaturated fats, omega-3 acids, fibre and vitamin E. Whether it be cashew, macadamia, Brazil or hazelnut, the odd nut is great to nibble on during a hard day. Nuts are very handy snacks to have on hand.
Fruit
Luckily, all fruit features on the Paleo spectrum, though fruit does contain natural sugar. Apples, oranges, bananas and grapes, to name but a few, have acceptable levels of fructose. Fruit is high in potassium, fibre and vitamin C. Try mixing them all together to create a cheeky fruit salad. Fruit’s a fun, delicious snack for any Paleo dieter.
Beef jerky
People on the Paleo diets have been eating jerky since it became cool. Defined as meat that has been trimmed of fat, cut into strips and then dried, the drying process includes adding salt to prevent bacterial growth. Able to be stored for months in a refrigerator, jerky is a fantastic, tasty snack for any Paleo eater.
Dark chocolate
Chocolate is healthiest when raw (70 percent to be precise). If you fancy a sweet treat after a hard day at work, dark chocolate is a Paleo-friendly option. Containing magnesium, copper, zinc and a very hearty dose of fibre, the health benefits are surprisingly in your favour. This is a tasty treat that everyone can enjoy.
Vegetables
Veges like kale, broccoli, onions, carrots or tomatoes are all very healthy snacks to fill your empty corners with. High in folate, potassium, vitamins A and C, the health benefits of vegetables are the reason why they’re such go-to snacks for Paleo eaters. You can chop them up and have this snack on the go.
Salad
This great little snack is so easily accessible and delicious for any Paleo adherent. Just grab some greens, tomatoes, cucumbers or whatever’s in your fridge then make a delicious salad dressing. Salads are wonderful snacks for a busy day in the office. There are some delicious Paleo dressing recipes online at www.paleoleap.com.
