Is The Paleo Diet Good For Weight Loss?

There are many diet plans out there competing for our attention. Some are relatively new, while others have been around for centuries. One diet that’s making a comeback is the paleo diet. The question is, is the Paleo diet good for weight loss? Lets  find out!

Not everyone has heard of the paleo diet, but it’s been around for centuries. It’s considered a “diet” by today’s standards, but originally it was a way of life: hundreds of years ago, humans only ate the foods that were available to them at that time.

They didn’t have the processed, junk or fast foods that we eat today. Their food didn’t come in a box or could be purchased at the gas station. Instead, their diet consisted of high quality foods that they either grew themselves or hunted. These foods were all natural, fresh, and full of nutrients.  

Why Paleo? 

The logic here is simple: “If they didn’t eat it, we shouldn’t either.”  

Supporters of paleo diets believe our bodies simply aren’t designed to eat many of the foods we eat today. Unlike technology, our bodies haven’t changed very much over the centuries, meaning our dietary needs haven’t changed much either.   

They also believe the foods we eat today are the primary reason for increased rates of high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and other chronic diseases. They don’t agree with taking more medicine to cure these ailments, eating less junk and processed foods is the key.  

Paleo for Weight Loss? 

Is the Paleo diet good for weight loss? Paleo diets are considered by many to be great for weight loss. One reason is because the foods we are told to avoid have empty calories, are high in sugar and fat, and have zero nutritional value.  

Here are the top foods to eat (and avoid) on a paleo diet: 

Paleo Diet: Foods to Eat

• Natural Sugar (Maple Syrup)
• Grass fed meats (no processed meats i.e. hotdogs) 
• Water
• Healthy oils (olive, flaxseed, macadamia, coconut, avocado, etc.)
•  Nuts (minus peanuts) & seeds
•  Fresh fish/seafood 
•  Fresh fruits and vegetables

Paleo Diet: Foods to Avoid 

• Sugar and artificial sweeteners 
• Grains (oats, wheat, quinoa, etc.) 
• Alcoholic beverages 
• Vegetable oils (canola, palm and sunflower) 
• Dairy (cheese, milk, yogurt, ice cream) 
• Processed foods 
• Potatoes and Starchy Vegetables

Dangers of Paleo? 

Not everyone is sold on paleo diets. Here are a few things to be wary of: 

• A higher intake of red meat could increase a person’s LDL cholesterol, possibly increasing the risk of heart disease. This is especially true if consuming grain fed meats. 
• For some, following strict diets like paleo may increase their risk of binge eating. Cravings for their favorite foods may become so intense that they overindulge when given the opportunity. This will negate all the hard work put forth in an instant.  
• Instead of losing weight, some experts believe paleo diets can cause people who aren’t active to actually gain weight. In other words, no matter what diet plan a person chooses, getting adequate exercise is still essential to good health. 

By eating less junk foods and more healthy foods as shown here, it is believed we can lose weight naturally and improve our health at the same time.

Listen to Your Body 

It may be years before we know if paleo diets are effective. In the meantime, here are some tips to remember: 

Everything Isn’t For Everybody

What works for one person may not be as effective for another. They key is to listen to your body. If you don’t eat meat, don’t force yourself to eat it because it’s part of the paleo diet.  

Moderation Is Key

Avoiding junk and processed foods is the key to good health. However, there are a few foods not on the approved paleo list that are considered good for us. For example, red wine and butter are considered healthy foods when eaten in moderation.   

Is the Paleo diet good for weight loss? Is it for you? There’s only one way to find out. Give it a try and see how your body responds. You might be surprised by the results.