The Paleo diet is based on the foods our ancestors would have eaten before the advent of farming and processed foods, which means you avoid food groups such as dairy products and grains.

The idea is that by living on this diet, you’ll be eating foods humans have been eating for the greatest amount of time; foods to which we are best adapted. Some Paleo dieters claim that by avoiding these foods, you decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease, as well as preventing auto-immune diseases.

The diet consists of vegetables, meat and fish, including some nuts, seeds and fruit. Processed foods, such as cooking oils, grains and dairy are out, so you need to cook everything from scratch with fresh ingredients. What’s important is what you eat, not how much.

Dairy products and grains make things taste better and are cheap, which is why they are included in many snacks. Without grains, you’ll need to add other ingredients to your cooking, such as eggs. The downside to Paleo is that there’s not much starch in it, which we need for lots of our energy.

There’s no recommended portion control, so you may notice a difference in body composition. Your body fat will drop slightly without losing much muscle mass. Also, your “bad” cholesterol levels will decrease, while your “good” cholesterol will improve.

If you want to lose fat quickly or build muscle, Paleo isn’t the best choice for you. However, if you want an eating regime that improves both your health and body composition, and you can tolerate the extra cost and temptations, then it’s a great idea.

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