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Have you heard of the paleo diet? Here is the ultimate guide to the paleo diet, plus tips on how to go about this way of eating in Hong Kong.
The paleo diet is a dietary plan that mimics that of a caveman in the paleolithic era – from 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. The diet emphasizes eliminating foods that have been processed using methods characteristic of modern human society. Instead, it focuses on eating whole foods that are naturally grown and sourced, which would have been available to hunter-gatherers.
This approach was developed on the idea that the modern-day diet has had a negative impact on the human body and has led to diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart problems. The mass production and industrialization of food was a huge development for the growth of food sources but it has also brought about the presence of substances that are harmful to the body.
Following a paleo diet involves eating lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Any food that would have emerged as a result of the advancement of farming are excluded. This means grains like rice, wheat (flour) and dairy products such as cheese, milk and yogurt. To follow a lifestyle that resembles a caveman’s, it is also encouraged that we drink plenty of water and stay active, just as they would have done back then.
In the paleo diet, legumes are also excluded. What are legumes? Apparently, lentils and beans, although massively considered “healthy” by modern society in comparison to the highly processed diets we are familiar with now, are actually not as beneficial to our bodies as we think.
This is because of a substance called phytic acid, present in high quantities in grains, nuts and legumes which binds to nutrients and hinders our absorption of them. However, because nuts are consumed in smaller quantities, they are less likely to lead to a high intake of phytic acid but that is not the case for legumes and grains. Grains and legumes, on the other hand, we use as our main source of carbohydrates and energy so we consume them (and phytic acid) in large amounts.
The paleo style of eating supposedly can benefit anyone hoping to lose weight, increase their insulin sensitivity, improve overall heart health, as well as reduce levels of inflammation in their bodies.
As the paleo method of eating rules out processed foods and grains which are common sources of simple carbohydrates, the increased intake of vegetables and protein will use up more energy to break down. This diet means eating a wider range of nutrients and whole foods to provide better nutrition for the body and optimize overall bodily functions as well as facilitate the removal of bodily waste.
Having a reduced carbohydrates intake will mean that the pancreas will not have to work as hard to produce a sufficient supply of insulin. The insulin produced will also be more effective on the paleo diet. Processed foods are often linked to high glycemic index (GI) levels. High GI foods are more likely to cause inflammation in the body, so eating less of these on the paleo diet will likely be effective in bringing down any inflammation symptoms.
As mentioned above, the paleo diet primarily involves eating a “carnivorous diet”; here is a list of foods that fit into that criteria, these include lean meats, fish, fruits and vegetables, and limited portions of nuts and seeds.
Meat – Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Turkey, Pork (some people may even emphasize grass-fed).
Fish and seafood – Salmon, trout, haddock, shrimp, shellfish etc.
Eggs – Ideally free-range
Vegetables – Broccoli, kale, peppers, onions, carrots, tomatoes, etc.
Fruits – Apples, bananas, oranges, pears, avocados, strawberries, blueberries and more.
Tubers – Potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, turnips, etc.
Nuts and seeds – Almonds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and more. Ideally “raw” or simply “dry roasted” as they are the least processed with no added flavors or artificial ingredients.
Healthy fats and oils – Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil and others.
Salt and spices – Sea salt, garlic, turmeric, rosemary, etc.
At first glance, it may seem that the paleo diet and the keto diet are quite similar. With the keto diet, there are little to no carbs involved and you mainly eat meats, nuts and vegetables. The key difference between the keto diet and the paleo diet is that the paleo diet allows whole-food carbs. Whole-food carbs source from non-processed foods that have not been farmed for mass human consumption, such as starchy vegetables or naturally occurring sugars (in fruit for example), different from grains as well as other processed sugars.
The paleo diet focuses more on the concept behind eating and stresses on eating naturally produced foods that take as few steps as possible between the soil and our plate. On the other hand, the keto diet focuses on macronutrients and eliminating the body’s supply of carbohydrates to switch the source of energy being used. While the paleo diet is more like a lifestyle change, going keto is very much a strict “diet” that may involve calories counting and close management.
Switching to the paleo diet from a regular “modern society” diet may bring the following effects to your body:
As grains are a huge part of Chinese eating culture, it may be difficult to know how to go about switching to a paleo diet. Many paleo Hong Kongers often eat out in steakhouses. Even in Chinese tea houses, they order the steak options and switch out the rice for a vegetable side. As for paleo-based food stocks at home, local grocery chains as well as local markets are open bright and early to provide the freshest products from local suppliers. It is also great to have frozen fruits and vegetables as they are picked and frozen at their freshest, besides being convenient to cook.
An even more convenient option is having paleo meals delivered to your doorstep through these Hong Kong-based meal delivery services:
Phone: +852 2368 6331
Website: www.eatologyasia.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +852 5660 0045
Website: www.easyfood.com.hk
Email: [email protected]
Switching to paleo can make us more conscious about where our food comes from and how much processing goes into the food we eat today. Would you be interested in giving the paleo diet a try? Check out our other articles on healthy eating and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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