WHAT IS A PALEO DIET?

"The paleo diet is based on the notion that for optimal health, modern humans should go back to eating real, whole unprocessed foods that are more healthful than harmful to our bodies." (Tam, 2016)

This diet is considered to be on of the healthiest diets known to man as it consists of root or animal foods - without anything processed. This diet can be extremely helpful when it comes to degenerative diseases, as this diet eliminates all sources that cause the disease in the first place. Research in biology, biochemistry, ophthalmology, dermatology and many other disciplines indicate that this should be our everyday modern diet; it can help reduce a variety of diseases including (Wolf, 2012):

- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Parkinson's
- Alzheimer's
- Depression 
- Infertility

The paleo diet claims that if people remove all processed foods and emphasize on eating unprocessed foods that it will improve their health dramatically. The diet also claims to help you lose weight, increase in energy, higher immune function, and a healthier gut flora. (Sabatino, Frank. 2015)

SO, WHAT DO YOU EAT IF YOU HAVE A PALEO DIET?

There is an overwhelming variety of foods that are available to eat, it is assuring to know that there is definitely more than enough to sustain a balanced paleo diet. 



Many authorities and media outlets demonize the idea of saturated fats, when in fact the Paleo diet has an extreme optimal health success rate when it comes to eating saturated fat. The number one rule to a successful paleo diet is that it should high in fat, moderate in animal protein and low to moderate carbohydrates ("Paleo Diet 101 | Paleo Leap", 2010). 

IS THIS DIET ACTUALLY HEALTHY?

The paleo diet is claimed to be extremely healthy, but if argued against, any individual can look onto the Australian government page as they have set a standard of what Australians should be eating; and the amount of nutrients that should be consumed daily. This is a very good way of evaluating an individuals health compared to the states level of health. 

According to the Australian Nutrient Reference Values (ADMR), it can be determined how/if this diet is suited to an individual and is actually healthy. This is achieved as it looks at the recommended range percentage of each macronutrient that will result in a reduced risk of chronic disease. (Whitney, Rolfes, 2012,p.17-21).

This table displays the Paleo Diet against The acceptable macronutrient distribution range.

Contribution to total energy	Paleo Diet (%)	AMDR (%)
Protein	19-35%	15-20%
Fat	20-46%	20-25%
Carbohydrate	35-45%	45-65%

PALEO DIET vs. AUSTRALIAN DIETARY GUIDELINES

GUIDELINE 1

'To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and choose amounts of nutritional food and drinks to meet your energy needs.'

Paleo Diet - This paleo diet has a different outlook when it come to weight gain. It also tends to have a different perspective on physical activity as it is not always encouraged. Nutritionally, this diet does allow the individual to consume nutritious foods to a certain extent, with the elimination of dairy products.

GUIDELINE 2

'Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the following five food groups:

- Vegetables

- Fruit

-Grain (cereal) foods

- Lean meats and poultry

- Dairy products

Along with drinking plenty of water.'

Paleo Diet- The paleo diet does not adhere to guideline 2, this is due to the elimination of the two dairy groups that the paleo diet depends on. 

GUIDELINE 3

 'Limit intake of foods containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohol.'

Paleo Diet-  The paleo ways of eating adhere and meet those eating styles in guideline 3, as it includes the natural wats of eating to maintain optimal health; thus excluding added sugars and alcohol. 

GUIDELINE 4

'Encourage, support and promote breastfeeding.'

Paleo Diet - The Paleo diet abides by this guideline. 

GUIDELINE 5

'Care for your food, prepare and store it safely.'

Paleo Diet - Paleo's do not mention or reveal anything in relation to this guideline 

(Australian Government, 2013)

IS THE PALEO DIET THE BEST WAY TO SUSTAIN OPTIMAL HEALTH?

Personally, this to me is just another fad diet. I also don't agree with its restrictiveness when it comes to starch, grains, dairy and legumes - these are incredibly healthy foods that can benefit one's health indefinitely. This diet calls for HIGHER protein intake and LOWER carbohydrate intake, yes, in some ways this is good - but after a significant amount of time our bodies will begin to crave those carbohydrates and will eventually become starved of this nutrient - this can then cause to waste solid lean body tissue and begin to lose weight. (S.R.R, D. Cameron-Smith, A. W. & E. N. W. 2013). This can be detrimental to an individuals health. 

References:

References

About the Australian Dietary Guidelines | Eat For Health. (2015). Eatforhealth.gov.au. Retrieved 8 May 2016, from https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/about-australian-dietary-guidelines

Gale - Enter Product Login. (2016). Go.galegroup.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016, from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA407227260&v=2.1&u=latrobe&it=r&p=EAIM&sw=w&asid=515a3f1efefa44de54a0d0f95fbef642

Paleo Diet 101 | Paleo Leap. (2010). Paleo Leap | Paleo diet Recipes & Tips. Retrieved 8 May 2016, from http://paleoleap.com/paleo-101/

Tam, N. (2016). What’s The Paleo Diet?. Nom Nom Paleo. Retrieved 8 May 2016, from http://nomnompaleo.com/paleo101

Wolf, R. (2012). What Is The Paleo Diet?. The Paleo Diet - Robb Wolf on Paleolithic nutrition, intermittent fasting, and fitness. Retrieved 8 May 2016, from http://robbwolf.com/what-is-the-paleo-diet/