The Caveman Diet is a kind of diet plan that aims to mimic the eating habits of cavemen, our ancestors. Sometimes it’s also called Paleolithic Diet, Stone Age Diet or Hunter-Gatherer Diet. They all basically provide the same listing of allowed foods for the plan. In a nutshell, it’s about taking on the supposed nutritional intake of those who had lived 2.5 million years in the past, where agricultural developments and food processing didn’t exist yet.
Poor eating habits these days have spawned numerous health problems. Processed foods, fast foods, etc. – all of these have increased the number of persons who are overweight. In 1975, a gastroenterologist by the name of Walter Voegtlin came up with a book. It’s about principles based on the idea that human beings are carnivores so eating mostly meat can help in optimizing the health. His ideas are based on his own medical findings.
Such nutritional plan is somewhat similar to another dieting plan, the Atkins Diet. It’s because both recommend the consumption of meat and other products that contain protein and fats. That’s why they’re appealing especially to overweight people who wish to lose unwanted pounds, but find it hard to let go of eating meat. It lets you have all the meat that you like, but still allows you to reduce your weight.
This nutritional plan recommends the intake of foods as they appear naturally. This only means that one should steer clear of foods that cavemen weren’t able to enjoy millions of years ago. In other words, foods that result from agricultural advancements as well as food processing procedures are banned. For instance, you should refrain from eating farm-raised animals or genetically-altered produce.
Other than meat, the diet also encourages consumption of seeds, fruits and vegetables too. These food items are rich in minerals, vitamins and fiber. Having enough fiber for this diet wherein meat is consumed in large amounts is necessary to prevent constipation. You see, meat slows down the digestive process as it moves slowly through the digestive tract. Plus it doesn’t contain any amount of fiber.
Another good thing about it is having plenty of regular exercise is recommended. True to what the diet is trying to mimic, exercises that are suggested are those which involve a lot of running, sprinting and jumping. Obviously, these are some of the physical activities cavemen often performed as they darted away from wild animals or ran after food. Exercising promotes weight loss, as well as prevents constipation.
Unfortunately, many dietitians frown down on this nutritional plan. Particularly on the part wherein even those that are laden with fats and cholesterol may be taken in excess. Aside from the obvious, they also make the body acidic, or in a state of acidosis. This is known to cause many different health problems, including exhaustion, obesity, arthritis, diabetes, cancers and heart diseases.
In addition, the Caveman Diet also inverts the food pyramid guide. The main source of energy now becomes meat and meat products as some carbohydrate forms aren’t permitted. For someone who is leading an active lifestyle, sustaining the diet plan can prove to be difficult.
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