What the Paleo Trend Gets Right (and What to Keep in Perspective)
Back in 2014 I wrote enthusiastically about the paleo diet. Some of what drew me to it still holds true; other claims I’d now put more carefully. Here’s a balanced look from my perspective as a personal trainer and hypnotherapist (not a dietitian).
What is paleo eating?
The paleo approach is loosely modeled on what humans might have eaten before farming: meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. It typically excludes grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugar, and processed foods and oils. Writers such as Mark Sisson helped popularize related approaches in the 2000s and 2010s.
What it gets right
- Whole foods first. Cutting back on ultra-processed snacks, sugary drinks and refined foods is good advice for almost everyone.
- Plenty of vegetables and fruit. Most of us don’t eat enough.
- Protein and satisfying meals. Many people find protein-rich, whole-food meals keep them fuller for longer.
- Cooking at home. Paleo tends to encourage planning and preparing your own food.
Where to keep perspective
- Whole grains and legumes are healthy for most people. Beans, lentils, oats and whole grains are linked with good health outcomes and provide fiber. Excluding them isn’t necessary unless you have a specific medical reason.
- Dairy isn’t harmful for most people. If you skip it, make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D from other sources.
- “Ancestral” diets varied enormously depending on climate and location. There wasn’t one paleo diet.
- Research is limited. Some short-term studies show benefits, often similar to other whole-food approaches, but long-term evidence is limited. The benefits seem to come largely from eating fewer processed foods.
- Red and processed meat: health guidelines recommend limiting processed meats and moderating red meat.
My take
If paleo-style eating helps you eat more whole foods and fewer ultra-processed ones, and you enjoy it, that’s a positive. If you find it too restrictive, a Mediterranean-style pattern offers many of the same benefits with more flexibility and stronger long-term research. The best eating pattern is one you can enjoy and sustain.
Making any change stick
Whatever approach you choose, the hardest part is usually the mind: cravings, habits, stress and social situations. That’s where hypnotherapy, NLP and coaching can help, alongside regular movement, good sleep and plenty of water.
I’m an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, not a registered dietitian. Nutrition suggestions here are general; if you have a health condition, take medication, are pregnant, or want a specific eating plan, please check with your physician or a registered dietitian.
If you’d like to find out whether this approach is a good fit for you, I offer a free, no-pressure consultation. Get in touch here and we can talk it through.
