The caveman diet. The Stone Age diet. Whatever you call it, the paleolithic diet is the high-protein eating plan that’s got a lot of people excited. Based on foods that were available to our ancient ancestors, the Paleo plan is credited with weight loss, reduced cholesterol levels, stabilized blood pressure and an increased sense of overall well-being. If you think the Paleo diet is super restrictive, you’re right. If you think this means you cannot tuck into a tasty dessert once in a while, please think again. As long as you make it with Paleo approved ingredients, you can end your evening meal with a decadently sweet treat.
What is the Paleo diet?
The paleolithic diet plan comprises all kinds of meats, fish and other healthful food stuffs that are likely similar to the edibles obtained by our hunter-gatherer ancestors more than a million years ago. Foods that are farmed, such as wheat, legumes, certain produce and modern grains, are not allowed on the Paleo plan. Dairy farms were unheard of in caveman days and for this reason they are also not allowed on the strict albeit healthful paleolithic eating plan.
Perhaps it’s easier to focus on what you can eat on the Paleo diet instead of what you can’t. Adherents to the paleolithic eating plan enjoy a remarkably wide assortment of fragrant fruits, a variety of vegetables and plenty of healthful nuts. Meats, especially grass-fed beef and humanely raised lamb and veal are protein-rich favorites of Paleo dieters. Wild game such as pheasant and quail as well as fowl including chicken and turkey provide plentiful protein to Paleo followers. Fish and seafood that are high in omega 3 fatty acids, such as mackerel and albacore tuna are another popular part of the Paleo plan, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What can’t you eat on the Paleo plan?
As mentioned above, the Paleo plan severely restricts farm-raised foods as well as any sort of processed foodstuffs. Legumes, peas, peanuts and potatoes are not allowed on the Paleo plan. Salt is quite restricted and used only in minuscule amounts. Refined sugars are forbidden on the Paleo plan, as well. WebMD recommends that followers of the Paleo plan boost their daily diet with vitamin B, folate and calcium supplements.
Decadent desserts that are Paleo approved
Most people find the Paleo diet
Dark chocolate, which is allowed on the Paleo plan as long as it contains no sugar, is a wonderful and delicious ingredient with which one can create decadent, caveman-approved dessert treats. One of our favorites is a sweet and tasty chocolate bark that incorporates melted dark chocolate, chopped pecans, dried cranberries and a dash of coarse sea salt for flavor.
If cinnamon and apples are what you crave, try this from Paleo Hacks. Combine almond flour, coconut flour and sea salt in a bowl. Mix with eggs, chopped dates, vanilla extract, coconut oil, golden raisins and sweet apple chunks and bake in a medium-hot oven to create yummy “cookies” that are low-fat and high flavor.
Paleo is a diet plan you can live with
Because the plan zeroes in on fresh fish and lean meats, you can expect to pay more for groceries for the Paleo plan than you would were you eating a typical American diet. But, because the plan is so beneficial to health, you may find that this added expense is offset by a reduced number of doctor visits and far fewer sick days at work.
Because the Paleo plan requires no calorie counting, many adherents find it one of the easiest weight loss plans around. During the first week of the plan, three “anything you want” meals are allowed. If you’re like most people, the plan is pretty easy to follow, once you get used to it.
As with any diet plan, moderation is the key to success. If you wish to ramp up your weight loss while on the Paleo plan, increase your exercise levels to at least twenty minutes five times a week.
Joshua James works as a dietitian and loves coming home after work to cook up a healthy storm in the kitchen. He shares his food tips, recipes and nutritional advice in his articles.
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Another great, informative post!
Thanks for all your hard work and knowledge!
Thank you for posting this helpful chart! I’ve been steering clear of the unhealthy refined sugars lately and I feel SO much better for it. I’ve also incorporated more fruit & veggies in my diet and I can’t believe how much of a difference it’s made in how my body functions now.
I have been doing that as well, Sarah. Just cutting soda out of my diet made a world of difference. Now I’ve just got to work on all the rest!
This might be the perfect diet plan for me. I eat to much unhealthy food and I love desserts. I sure a special diet such as this will require me to work on changing my taste buds a little. I am going to work on this. Thank you so much for sharing
Thanks Again for Sharing This With Us, I Really Appreciate it! I Absolutely Love Desserts, it’s My Favorite Part of the Meal and I Have the Biggest Sweet Tooth! I Know it’s Ok to Indulge Every Now & Then but it’s Nice to Know That There Are Some Lower Calorie Options Out There Too When We Want Something a Little Lighter! Thanks Again for Sharing, Have a Blessed Day My Friend! – Jana
I have heard many great things about this diet. I learned alot from this great article. Thank you so much for sharing this
This is interesting. I always love a good way to help my family live healthier.
Thanks So Much for Sharing this Post with Us! I Love Dessert, I have Such a Sweet Tooth & Especially Late at Night! I have Hypothyroidism and it Makes it Hard for Me to Lose Weight So it’s Nice to Have Some Healthier Options Every Now & Then! Thanks Again, Have a Blessed Day! – Jana
I hate diets. I absolutely suck at diets. I last about 2 to 3 days and that’s it. Even years and years and years ago when NutriSystem first hit the mainstream market … I went and signed up for a 30-day plan or a 6-month plan (forget which it was) … and when I realized that I had to buy their foods, had to eat what they said, when they said … with my crazy schedule and ADD (squirrel!!!!) um, yeah. Lasted all of about a week before that was just money thrown out the window. If I’d have eaten the money probably would have done better lol!!!! But this? The Paleo diet? This is something that I could totally find doable – for anyone – because you ARE NOT BEING RESTRICTED … you can STILL eat the foods that you love (in moderation) even if they aren’t an “official” part of the diet … and THAT is what makes something a success … teaching you a lifestyle change and not depriving you while you’re habits are slowly being changed for the better. (Learned that little tidbit from Dr. Oz lol!!!)
I’ve been looking into the Paleo Diet and plan to try it out! Thanks for this very informative article!
You are most welcome Elizabeth! I just need to cut out the soda and the dairy products and I’m there … dairy is going to be the hardest to kick!
The Paleo diet can be very effective for weight loss. I find it a bit restrictive for me because you can’t have dairy products. I have to have cream in my bulletproof coffee!
I’m the same way Lynne! I have a little bit of coffee with my cream and sugar lol!
Oh my gosh, that’s me, too, Kimberly! At restaurants, I have to tell the waiter to fill my coffee cup half way and bring me extra cream!
LOL – and I always feel so bad when they bring me like 2 packs of sugar and I have to tell them to bring another 8 to 10 packets lmbo … I don’t drink coffee EVERY single day (would probably be diabetic if I did) but it has to be sweet and creamy or I can’t deal. I’m so super excited though … the Fasmart across the street from our home just put in a mini-coffee bar complete with different flavor (pumpkin spice, french vanilla, etc.) syrups and different seasons (chocolate, cinnamon) and REAL milk (along with the flavored creamers – some of which I think are just too sweet and kill the coffee), and the creme de creme – miniature marshmallows AND whipped cream!!! SCORE!!! I cut back on the sugar with the marshmallows and the whipped cream so win/win for me! (and yes I know it’s just as unhealthy but shoot if you can’t treat yourself in the winter now and again then when can you?) LOL!