The Paleo diet is a trend that literally takes us back to our roots. The purpose of this kind of diet is to get people to stop eating processed foods and to go back to eating as naturally as our ancestors, hence the “caveman” nickname.

The reason we call it “Paleo” is in reference to the Paleolithic era that occurred 10,000 years ago. Our ancestors relied on hunting and gathering for their food, which is the kind of natural diet Paleo refers to—except now we can find our food a little more easily at the grocery store.

What you can’t eat:

• Anything processed
• Legumes (lentils, beans, peanuts)
• Grains
• Soft drinks
• Refined sugars
• Vegetable/canola oil
• Dairy

What you can eat:

• Lean meat (preferably grass fed, organic)
• Fish
• Fruit
• Eggs
• Game (quail, venison)
• Non-starchy vegetables (Brussels sprouts, peppers, onions, asparagus)
• Unrefined oils
• Nuts and seeds

The purpose

The Paleo diet is supposed to fill your body with the vitamins and nutrients you get from natural food, and gets rid of all the unwanted fats you get from eating processed foods. While you will most likely lose weight, this diet was not created with the sole purpose of shedding off weight—it’s more for your well-being. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory benefits, cuts out unnecessary calories, and gives you more energy.

Slow and steady

As with any change in diet, you should not immediately cut out sugary drinks, breads, and other foods right away. Your body is going to need time to adjust to your new lifestyle.

There are a lot of positive health benefits to eating a raw diet, especially if you tend to get sick often or struggle with your health, but, of course, it’s important to talk with a doctor before taking part in the “caveman” diet.