The Paleo diet has been around for several decades, but lately has been gaining momentum amongst the younger generation as a method of losing weight and being healthy.
What is the Paleo diet?
The Paleo Diet was introduced in the 1970s by a gastroenterologist called Walter Voegtlin, with the concept that we eat the way our ancestors from the Paleolithic era (around 2.5 million years ago) did, including lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts that were obtained by hunting and gathering. What the paleo diet limits is the consumption of foods that came from farming, such as dairy products, whole grains, and legumes.
Why is the Paleo diet popular?
The goal of following this diet is to eat the way our ancestors did because it eliminates high-fat and processed foods that contain fewer nutrients. The Paleo diet relies on fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are loaded with vitamins, fiber, and minerals, making us feel full faster and thereby curbing excessive intake of food.
What is included in the Paleo diet?
- All fruits and vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- Fish
- Poultry, but limited to lean meats
- Any oil that comes from fruits and nuts
What is not included in the Paleo diet?
- Whole grains such as wheat, oats, and barley
- Beans, lentils
- Any dairy products
- Refined sugar
- Processed foods
Benefits of the Paleo Diet
The focus of the Paleo diet resides in eating whole, unprocessed foods. This eliminates the consumption of preservatives, artificial sweeteners, sugars, and sodium. Due to this, toxins are eliminated, and nutrient intake is increased. Eating easily digestible foods results in faster metabolic processes, which leads to better sleep, stress management, better gut health, sufficient nutrients, and more. Other benefits include mental clarity, better skin and hair, increased stamina and fitness, weight loss, and improved mood.
Does it work?
While there are visible results to this diet, it can be restrictive and difficult to follow. As individuals, our unique biological makeup responds differently to various diets and exercises. While a Paleo diet is beneficial to one, it may not be for another. Dharana’s wellness programs focus on understanding each individual’s biological makeup through a series of assessments, followed by recommendations from our in-house panel of doctors and nutrition experts.
Dharana Wellness Centre, a wellness retreat near Mumbai, focuses on holistic health which includes physical, mental, and spiritual balance. One of the main pillars of this eco wellness retreat lies in the farm-to-table food philosophy, which encourages an organic approach to consuming food. Fresh produce is picked from the organic farm and is made with slow-cooking techniques. As an Ayurvedic healing center in India, Dharana combines an integrative, modern approach to holistic health with modern diagnostics and traditional practices like Yoga and Ayurveda to ensure a sustainable wellness journey.
