Paleo diet can help you lose weight, experts claim

There are plenty of diets that claim to help us lose weight or be more healthy.

But, sometimes it’s overwhelming when there are so many to choose from.

We’re often told to cut out carbs and eat lean meat or to go completely vegan.

And, some diets even have catchy names that pull us in – like the Paleo diet. This particular diet even seems to make some sense when the rules are explained.

The Paleo diet encourages people to eat foods that could be obtained back when humans were hunter gatherers – so meats, fish, fruits, vegetables nuts and seeds.

No dairy, grains or sugars. Makes sense right? But is it actually good for you?

We spoke to some nutritionists to find out the truth.

David Wiener, Training and Nutrition Specialist at AI-based fitness and lifestyle coaching app Freeletics, said: “A paleo diet is predominately made of vegetables, fruits and nuts – all fundamentals of a healthy diet, which can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

“As the Paleo diet resembles what humans ate thousands and thousands of years ago, it completely avoids any processed foods, sweets, artificial sweeteners and trans fats.

“Cutting these out of your diet will of course make you lose weight, but, in today’s society it isn’t the easiest eating regime to sustain. Furthermore, paleo diets lack dairy products and whole grains – which are essential in a well-balanced diet.

“Dairy products and whole grains are really important sources of fibre, vitamins, protein and calcium. They are also generally more affordable and accessible, so cutting them out of your diet could do more harm than good.

“The best kind of eating regimen to follow is a well-balanced diet, vitamin and nutrient dense diet.”

He added: “Yes, paleo can help you lose weight, but nothing works better in the long term than eating a balanced, healthy diet. In addition, restrictive eating isn’t sustainable longterm, so focus more on fuelling your body with the right nutrients, protein, carbohydrates and essential fats.”

While, Rebecca Jane, nutritionist and founder of NutriPOD, a nutrition and lifestyle clinic, added: “The paleo diet is based on eating foods similar to those of our ancestors in the Paleolithic era. It avoids whole grains, legumes and dairy which came along when farming processes started 10,000 years ago.

“There are health benefits related to the diet, including weight loss, improving blood glucose levels, better control of blood pressure, lowering triglycerides and managing our appetites better, and this is mainly due to eating an unprocessed diet of wholefoods.

“However, although this diet does include a wealth of healthy food groups, it does leave out whole grains and legumes which are full of fibre and essential vitamins, and dairy which are great sources of protein and calcium.

“More studies are needed to show the possible risks with this diet and the long-term effects of nutrient restriction from excluding certain food groups.”

Nataly Komova, RD and fitness expert at JustCBD, noted: “Consuming high amounts of saturated fats found in animal proteins can trigger an increase in unhealthy cholesterol levels, which are not good for general health.

“Limiting dairy and whole grains foods consumption can lower your intake of dietary fibre, calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients.

“It might be quite challenging for people on a vegan diet as it excludes legumes such as beans.

“But, A high plant-based diet increases the fibre and other nutrients that can aid in blood glucose management. Regular intake of the paleo diet can boost insulin sensitivity.

“Increased consumption of healthy foods with limited intake of salt, dairy products, and processed foods can aid in abdominal fat loss and general body fat reduction.

“And, It can better your satiety and lower hunger feelings which aid in weight loss.”

Have you ever tried the Paleo diet? Tell us your thoughts in the comments…