Paleolithic diet: Encyclopedia II - Paleolithic diet - Practices

Paleolithic diet - Practices

One of the basic premises of this nutritional theory is that many of the foods that humans eat today are not suitable for consumption due to the extensive preparation and processing methods utilized in today's kitchens. These foods, if eaten in their natural state, are ill-tasting, unchewable, and sometimes toxic to the human body. Without modern processing methods, these foods are, in effect, inedible.

Paleolithic diet - Foods in the diet

Foods which are included in the diet are ones that can be eaten raw and can be obtained by using paleolithic tools and practices, like meat (preferably game, though many followers of the diet eat farmed meat for practical reasons), fish, and gathered or foraged fruits, leaves, and roots of plants, mushrooms, nuts, eggs, and honey.

Some practitioners allow the use of oils derived those foods which can be obtained and produced through paleolithic means and are edible in their natural, uncooked state. Examples could include, sesame oil and safflower oil, but not olive oil or oils derived from beans (for example, peanut oil) or grains (for example, corn oil). Others avoid the use of any oil, as it is a processed food.

The non-animal foods available in the diet are the same as those available in raw veganism. However, there are two fundamental differences between raw veganism and the paleolithic diet: Firstly, practitioners consume meat and other animal products (in fact usually more is consumed than on a standard modern diet, in some cases substantially more). Secondly, any and all food may be cooked if desired.

Paleolithic diet - Foods not in the diet

Foods which are not edible raw and unprocessed are excluded from the diet. The foods falling into this category are mainly grains (i.e., wheat, corn, rice, etc.), starchy vegetables (i.e., beans, and potatoes). Certain fruits and nuts (i.e.,olives and cashews), and refined sugars. Alcoholic beverages are generally excluded because fermentation is also a form of processing, although some paleolithic eaters allow certain exceptions (i.e., wine, since fermented (over-ripe) fruit can be found and consumed in small quantities with little ill effect). Dairy products are excluded despite being edible raw, since they cannot be found or consumed easily in nature, at least in any considerable quantity, and are consequently a post-agricultural food.

Paleolithic diet - Intake

The generally prescribed proportions of protein, fat, and carbohydrate are approximately 20-35%, 30-60%, and 20-35% respectively by calories. By calories the diet is commonly around 45-65% animal products and 35-55% plant products. Alternatively, because of the large amount of water in fruits and vegetables, the diet is, by weight, roughly 2/3 plant products and 1/3 animal products.

Consequently, because of the high water content of fruits and vegetables, it is generally accepted that slightly less non-food water is required for optimal health. This is also supported by the fact that fresh water is not always readily available in the wild and that humans must rely on other sources for their water needs. This is not a reduction in need for water, but a shift in where water can be obtained.

The vitamin and mineral content of the diet is very high compared to a standard diet, in many cases a multiple of the RDA.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Practices", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki