One of the dietary regimes that has gained relevance in recent years due to its visible benefits in weight reduction and maintenance is the "Paleo Diet," which refers to a type of eating based on what was consumed in prehistory – precisely in the Paleolithic era, hence its name – before the advent of agriculture, meaning the foods obtained through hunting and gathering, such as meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts.

Its founder, Dr. Loren Cordain, a professor at Colorado State University, states that the concept is extremely simple and summarizes it as follows: “we should eat foods similar to those we evolved on and avoid foods that were not part of our evolution.”

Although many of the foods consumed by ancestral humans no longer exist, this movement explains that “the modern Paleo Diet mimics the foods we would have consumed in our historical past. It is the closest we can get to an unadulterated diet by modern agricultural methods, animal husbandry, or processed foods.”

And why avoid them? This movement argues that due to the incorporation of foods from agriculture, such as dairy, grains, and legumes, we now have diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions; therefore, it would be advisable to return to this primary diet.

To switch or not to a "Paleo" regime

But how easy would it be to transfer this idea to our current living conditions? Sports nutritionist Raquel Pérez de León García points out that the foundation of this diet is that “the body is genetically prepared for a Paleolithic diet.” However, the expert adds that while this regime includes base foods for a healthy lifestyle, the absence of whole grains and legumes, which are good sources of fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients, could lead to deficiencies.

In general, the Paleo Diet is a very healthy regime; however, it is not for everyone, clarifies specialist Pérez de León García: “a correct diet is one that includes all food groups, and for example, if you are a physically active person, it may be that with the Paleo regime you do not meet your requirements and that your performance declines by excluding many foods rich in carbohydrates and fiber, such as grains and legumes.”

In fact, doctors, nutritionists, and various studies suggest that the same benefits of this diet can be obtained by eating a balanced diet and exercising.

If your plans include following the “Paleo Diet,” keep in mind its benefits and possible drawbacks, although the best thing you can do is consult a nutritionist for guidance:

Pros and cons of the Paleo Diet

Benefits

• A healthy weight is achieved by avoiding almost all foods that are high in carbohydrates, which are the real culprits in weight gain: flours, sugars, pasta, and all processed foods.
• Helps control blood glucose and triglyceride levels, as well as blood pressure, which contributes to preventing cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, overweight, obesity, and heart conditions; however, in the clinical studies conducted with it, there are still no long-term results on the possible risks and benefits of the diet.

Drawbacks

• Following the Paleo Diet is not very practical, as no processed or packaged foods can be consumed. While it involves eating more natural foods, which is very good, nutritionist Pérez de León García explains, it will require more time to prepare your meals, and you will need to find ways to adapt if you are invited to eat out or have a social gathering.
• Eating this way is much more expensive, so it is not accessible to everyone.
• If you stop following it and start eating flours, grains, and sugars, the rebound effect may occur (if not done correctly).
  

What to eat and what not to in a Paleo regime

Allowed Foods

Fruits
Vegetables
Seeds
Nuts
Lean meats
Fish
Oils from olive, avocado, macadamia, and coconut
Water and herbal teas
Roots

Prohibited Foods

Grains like wheat, oats, and barley
Legumes like beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas
Dairy products like milk and yogurt
Sugar
Processed food
Salt

Very rarely can you eat or drink

Coffee
Wine and beer
Natural sugars like honey
Almond or coconut flour

Eat seriously with Santander!