Among the many different diet options presented lately, I would like to take a quick look at the “Paleo Diet”.  Last month while volunteering for the American Diabetes Association I noticed in my conversations with the public a few people stated that they do not have any problems with their glucose levels because they were following the Paleo Diet.  I was quite curious as to how they could follow such a strict diet to the letter without consuming essential Carbohydrates.  It was revealed that they were following a modified version of the Paleo Diet.

The Paleo Diet or the Paleolithic Diet has become very popular and for those of you who are not familiar with it, it is a diet based on scientific evidence about what early humans ate.  It is based upon the fact that the human body during the Caveman era was designed to eat food that was available during the Paleolithic time instead of the foods we consume today.   There was no agriculturally-based diet nor were there any processed and chemically-based diet during that time. Their diets consisted of organic lean meats, vegetables, fruits and nuts – Organic (note there were no pesticides used during the Paleolithic era).   Thus, the Paleo diet excludes all processed foods, grains, dairy and legumes, simple sugars and of course artificial sweeteners.  The diet is high in protein, fiber and healthy fats, high in potassium salt intake and low in sodium salt, high intake of vitamins, minerals, plant phytochemical and antioxidants (not bad).  However, the diet is extremely low in carbohydrates.

I must agree reducing processed food and limiting salt and sugar intake can be rewarding especially for those with diabetes.  However, the reality of it all in today’s world the diet presents a difficult challenge eliminating all processed food from the diet.  The diet can somewhat be expensive with the purchase of all organic foods which is recommended.  Many of the Paleo followers admit that “eating like a caveman” is more of a general principle, because there was no single caveman diet.   Cavemen’s diet changed based upon where they lived, it could have consisted of all meats to all plants.

US New and World Report in 2014 conducted a survey on 32 different diets.  The experts looked at their effectiveness in weight loss, heart health, and ease to follow to determine which were the best ones being offered to the public.  The Paleo Diet ranked 32, it tied for last place and concluded that it would be better for dieters to look elsewhere.  The number 1 ranking diet was the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet.

As written in a previous Blog, when it comes to diets there are so many options to choose from, always remember moderation is the key.  A good rule to follow is whenever a plan excludes any of the macro nutrients such as Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fats be careful and question its value.  The Paleo Diet eliminates grains and legumes (Side Bar) yet I find in Ezekiel 4:9, the prophet  Ezekiel was told to use “wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt to make a bread for his people to eat during his Biblical Era.

By the way have you ever purchased a loaf of “Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread” …makes great toast.  This product was inspired by this verse.

As I have previously blogged, when it comes to the various Diet options that are being offered, I must advise you as my mother always advised me:

Choose Wisely My Dear!