It is difficult for busy executives to maintain consistent healthy eating habits. From pastries in the office conference room to business dinners with clients, the temptation to eat unhealthy food is lurking around every corner. And the diet advice of different experts is so confusing. Therefore, every business executive is looking for something simple and easy to execute. The paleo diet is simple and relatively easy to implement, but a coin has two sides. You should know what paleo diet pros and cons are.
Paleo diet has more cons than pros for executives, but you can include these Paleo concepts in your lifeCLICK TO TWEET
Executive Summary:
You may have heard about this ‘new’ way of eating that has become part of the lifestyles of many celebrities in the western world. Familiar entertainment personalities such as LeBron James, Miley Cyrus, Megan Fox, and Matthew McConaughey have spoken publicly about the benefits of the Paleo diet.
Let’s face the facts. The Paleo diet has been the subject of thousands of online publications. Many articles praise the health benefits of the diet. Others articles report the dangers of this revolutionary way of eating. Quite frankly, all of this conflicting information can be confusing.
To help you sort through the maze of Paleo diet information, this post will provide you with the essential facts about this diet. By the end of this post, you will understand the components of the Paleo diet as well as the benefits and possible drawbacks of committing to this diet. You will be able to make an informed decision about which parts of the program to incorporate and the parts to leave behind.
1. The Paleo Diet Explained
Popularized in 2002 by a professor named Dr. Loren Cordain, the Paleo diet is based on the foods that our hunter-gather ancestors ate during the Paleolithic Era. This food includes healthy amounts of lean meats, saturated fats, vegetables, nuts and fruits that are low in sugar.
According to Dr. Cordain, the Paleo diet mimics prehistoric eating habits and helps people avoid the onset of modern diseases. Aliments such as high blood pressure, cancer, Parkinson’s, depression, Alzheimer’s, infertility, acne, and diabetes can be eliminated with a Paleo lifestyle.
Although Dr. Cordain is responsible for igniting the modern Paleo movement, he did not develop the idea. In January 1985, S. Boyd Eaton and Melvin Konner published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine that provided insight into Paleolithic nutrition. This article is entitled “Paleolithic Nutrition: A Consideration of Its Nature and Current Implications”. This report marked the beginning of a new way of thinking about the types of foods we consume.
2. Paleo Diet: Fact or Fiction
The Paleo diet has legions of fans who swear by its benefits. However, this diet is not without its critics who attack its assertions. One of the most interesting arguments against the Paleo diet is a lecture by Professor Mark Zuk. Professor Zuk is the author of “Paleophantasy”.
Here are a few key highlights of additional anti-Paleo arguments:
2.1. The Assumption that Humans Stopped Evolving 40,000 Years Ago Is False.
According to John Hawks of the University of Wisconsin, human beings are constantly evolving and adapting. As a result, humans have developed the tolerance to eat foods that were not eaten during the Paleolithic Era such as milk and nuts.
2.2. Consuming Too Much Meat Can Contribute to the Development of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.
The cavemen in the Paleolithic Era ate meat that was not chemically-laden. The meat that is eaten today is less healthy than the meat that was eaten by cavemen.
2.3. There Are No Conclusive Studies that Show the Effects of the Paleo Diet.
Many historians believe that cavemen had a short lifespan during the Paleolithic Era. The only real evidence of longevity that is linked to diet comes from Sardinia (Italy) and Okinawa (Japan). However, the diets of the people who resided in these regions do not include a Paleo lifestyle.
2.4. Consuming Healthy Amounts of Whole Grains Provides Fuel for Your Brain.
These power foods contain healthy amounts of glucose that keep you mentally alert and focused throughout the day.
2.5. Dairy Contains Nutrients that Help Your Body Combat Stress.
Dairy is an excellent source of Vitamin D. Many recent studies show the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and mental disorders.
These scientific arguments offer different opinions of the drawbacks of this diet. Paleo diet is probably not the best option for business executives. The lifestyle difference between the cavemen and the business people is obvious.
3. How to Adopt a Paleo Lifestyle
The Paleo diet must have some benefits because many people have changed their bodies by eating in this manner. The proof is in the testimonies of the people who have experienced amazing benefits from incorporating it into their daily routines. This diet can be easily added to your lifestyle. In order to experience success and optimal health from the Paleo diet, here are some things you can do.
– Eliminate foods with high amounts of sugars from your diet. This includes soda, fruit juice, candy, and cakes. These foods contribute to heart disease and diabetes.
– Avoid processed foods. Canned and packaged foods are often low in fiber and high in refined carbohydrates.
– Eat fresh vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Everyone knows that they are low-calorie sources of vitamins, nutrients, and dietary fiber.
– Get active. Your body and mind require at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
An important thing to remember is every person is different. The Paleo diet does not have to be an ‘all or nothing proposition’. You can transition into a Paleo lifestyle by applying the parts that make sense for your lifestyle.
Do you have another opinion about the Paleo diet? Feel free to share your comments with us!
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