- Learn to decipher the best nutrition information and principles with SportFuel.
- The primal diet was the way of eating of our Paleolithic ancestors.
Every year there is a new fad diet on the market promising you quick results with minimal effort. One year it seems that everyone is going low-fat and the next year the low-carbohydrate diet is all the rage. What are you to do with the endless supply of nutritionism and complete misdirected approaches to wellness? What if we turned back the clocks and ate a pure diet that most resembled how our primal ancestors ate?
One not-so-new diet approach, which has withstood the test of time and is now gaining traction in the never-ending quest for health is the primal diet.
What is the primal diet?
The primal diet is a diet that most resembles what caveman or Paleolithic people ate. It includes: meat, fish, poultry, nuts, seeds, vegetables, tubers, and fruit.
What is restricted on the primal diet?
Grains, most dairy*, sugars, and processed foods (any foods introduced in the last 10,000 years). *The primal diet does allow for modest amounts of 100% grass-fed butter and cream. In case you were wondering, ELTP only uses 100% grass-fed butter and cream.
Is it possible to eat a primal diet in a modern world?
The basic principals of eating a “hunter and gatherer” diet can be applied to the modern world, but now we can dress up our primal foods using fresh herbs and seasonings; luxuries the caveman didn’t have!
What are the benefits of eating a primal diet?
In our current health environment, the over-consumption of processed foods has contributed to the rising rates of obesity, diabetes, allergies, cancer, and other conditions. By removing some of these processed foods from the diet, such as grains and dairy, many people find relief from their current ailments and notice a boost in energy and performance.
What would be an example of a primal meal?
Try the Roasted Dijon Chicken with Broccoli and Almonds and Sweet Potato Mash. A perfect primal meal!
Wait…I heard caveman died young?
Although the average lifespan of our Paleolithic ancestors was 25-30 years of age, the cause of death was usually attributed to accidents or infections. Skeletal remains indicate that the Paleolithic people lived as long as 60 to 70 years of age (without the help of modern medicine!).
Should we all be eating like caveman?
It depends on the person. There are people who tolerate grains and dairy quite well. However, there are people with significant health issues that may benefit from experimenting with a primal-based diet. Regardless if eating primal is for you, all diets should contain a variety of colorful vegetables, fruits, clean proteins, and healthy fat.
