What is the Paleo way? In short, it’s similar to the Paleo diet, but it goes further. The Paleo diet revolves around eating natural foods similar to those that our Paleolithic and hunter-gatherer ancestors would have eaten tens of thousands of years ago. The Paleo way adds exercise; specifically, physical activity that our Paleolithic ancestors would have engaged in. The Paleo way has recently become very popular, although some question whether its benefits outweigh its risks.

The Paleo Way of Diet

The premise of the Paleo diet is that people should eat foods that their ancient ancestors ate and avoid foods their ancient ancestors would not have eaten. Foods to eat include nuts, meat and plants. Foods to avoid are processed foods, grains and dairy. If it wasn’t available during Paleo times, don’t eat it! Proponents of the Paleo diet believe that eating a high fiber and high protein diet can help one lose weight even though they are consuming the same number of calories. The below is a summary of foods and drinks to eat and those to avoid when engaged in the Paleo diet.
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Foods to Eat

  • Meats and seafood

Almost all non-processed and natural meats fit in with the Paleo diet. However, processed meats like sausage and hot dogs should be avoided.

  • Vegetables

Most vegetables qualify as a Paleo diet food. However, vegetables high in carbs should be eaten only in moderation, such as carrots, potatoes and corns.

  • Oils

Flaxseed oils, walnut oils and coconut oils are all good choices.

  • Nuts

Don’t forget that peanuts are legumes, not nuts.

  • Fruits

However, there are some that should be eaten in moderation due to their high fructose content, for instance, dried fruits, grapes, apples, pears and cherries.

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Foods to Avoid

  • Dairy

This includes butter, cheese, milk, ice cream and yogurt.

  • Grains

  • Legumes

Examples include peanuts, peas and most beans.

  • Artificial chemicals

Man-made sweeteners, preservatives or colors should be avoided.

  • Most condiments

Things like ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise are definitely not foods eaten by our ancestors. They are also loaded with unnecessary fats and sugars.

  • Most candies

Most candy sold today contains large amounts of processed or refined sugars.

  • Very salty foods

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Drinks to Avoid

  • Soda

Soda is loaded with sugar and/or high fructose corn syrup.

  • Fruit Juice

It sounds counterintuitive, but most commercial fruit juices are extremely high in sugar.

  • Alcohol

  • Energy drinks

  • Milk

Pros and Cons of the Paleo Diet

Like any other diet, there are advantages and disadvantages to the Paleo diet. Some of the pros and cons are listed below.
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Pros of the Paleo Diet

  • Getting enough iron easily

  • Easier to feel full and eat less

  • No artificial foods

  • Effective way to lose weight due to the fact that the Paleo diet severely reduces one’s food choices

  • Obtaining an anti-inflammatory benefit

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Cons of the Paleo Diet

  • Few foods high in calcium

  • Expensive

  • Not suitable for athletes, since they need a large amount of carbohydrates

  • Not suitable for vegetarians, since a primary source of protein, legume, is to be avoided

  • No grains which are a great source of energy and fiber

  • Being potential for malnutrition due to limited food choices

  • Extensive planning, prepping and discipline

The Paleo Way of Workout

As discussed before, the Paleo way is more than just a diet, but includes exercise as well. Just like how our ancient ancestors ate a lot of meats and plants, they also had a very physically active life, requiring thousands of calories more than the typical adult needs today. Let’s have a look at the key characteristics of the Paleo way of working out.
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Slow Moves

To be more specific, Paleo workouts involve physical activity that requires a pace that increases your heart rate, but not to a point where you’re breathing so hard. For example, a brisk walk would perfectly qualify the slow moves.

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No Chronic Cardio

It probably goes against what you’ve learned, but the Paleo way requires that you do not do too much cardio. Believe it or not, too much cardio can cause heart problems later in life and even hinder your ability to lose weight.

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Powerlifting

Natural body lifting, such as pushups, pull-ups, squats and sit-ups will increase “practical” strength since they are requiring muscle effort for tasks and physical movement you will naturally do. You can also lift and carry natural objects, such as logs or rocks. While it may not give you the physique worthy of a magazine cover, it can make you functionally stronger.

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Occasional Sprints

Sprinting only needs to be done a few times a week. It can include swimming, biking or running at maximum speed for a few minutes, stopping to rest and catch your breath, then sprinting again.

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