Ever wonder what the paleo diet is all about? Could it be the key to leanness? After all, everyone is talking about it! Most health experts agree that going paleo is a smart choice. This dietary plan eliminates sugar, gluten, dairy, grains, and processed foods. Unfortunately, it's not sustainable on long term and can get quite expensive.

What's All the Fuss about Paleo?
The paleo diet has emerged as one of the most popular eating plans worldwide. From athletes and bodybuilders to nutritionists, it has millions of fans. Also known as the stone-age diet or the caveman diet, this eating plan is based on whole, natural foods. Compared to most diets, it doesn't require calorie counting or ready-made meals.

Dieters are encouraged to eat the same foods consumed by our hunter-gatherer ancestors. These include fruits, vegetables, roots, fish, meat, nuts, and seeds. Dairy, grains, legumes, alcohol, and refined oils are off limits.
You can only consume farm-raised fish and grass-fed meat, which isn't exactly cheap. Ideally, you should go 100% organic. Food additives, preservatives, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other processed ingredients have no place in the paleo diet. Since our ancestors did not eat grains or dairy, these products must be avoided.

Those who embraced this lifestyle claim that it boosts immunity and wards off chronic diseases. Cancer, diabetes, insulin resistance, osteoporosis, heart disease, and other illnesses have been linked to the modern diet. Thus, it makes sense to avoid processed foods and go organic.

What Are the Benefits?
The paleo diet is popular among athletes, diabetics, and people with celiac disease or lactose intolerance. Even though it's not designed for weight loss, you'll lose those pesky pounds once you make the switch. On top of that, your digestion will improve after removing gluten and lactose.

Studies confirm the healing power of the paleo diet. This eating plan has been shown to reduce inflammation, decrease body fat levels, and lower blood pressure. In the long run, it protects against cardiovascular problems, type II diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Cutting down on processed foods will improve your health on every health. You'll have greater energy and stamina, get leaner, and enjoy better digestion. Moreover, you'll torch stubborn fat and improve your athletic performance. Since this diet is high in protein, it supports muscle growth and repair. It also raises your metabolic rate, causing your body to burn calories more efficiently.

Despite its high fat content, the Paleo diet doesn't harm your heart. The foods allowed on this plan are rich in omega-3s and saturated fat, not trans fat. Research shows that saturated fat has little or no impact on blood cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.

For centuries, fat has been blamed for sugar's side effects. Sugar, not dietary fat, raises your risk of heart disease, cancer, hypertension, and other chronic ailments. The paleo diet is sugar-free and supplies all the nutrients needed for optimal health.

Are There Any Drawbacks?
Just like everything else, the paleo diet has its drawbacks. First of all, it’s quite expensive. Secondly, it doesn’t teach you anything about calories or macros. If you don’t watch your portions, you can end up consuming thousands of calories a day. This may lead to weight gain and poor health.

Another problem is that you might not be able to eat paleo all the time. For instance, if you’re dining out, it can be hard to find a place that serves organic food or paleo-approved meals. Additionally, you’ll spend quite a lot of time cooking. The paleo diet may not be the best choice for those with a busy lifestyle.

Now that you know the pros and cons, decide whether the paleo diet is right for you. Give it a try – you have nothing to lose. If it works, keep going. If not, you can quit anytime.

Summary 

• The paleo diet encourages the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods. 
• Sugar, gluten, grains, legumes, refined oils, and dairy are off limits. 
• This dietary plan may lower the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall health. 
• Before getting started, consider the costs involved as well as the time required for cooking and meal prep.