Dr. Loren Cordain, a professor at Colorado State University, argues some modern illnesses, including obesity, were non-existent during the time of our hunter-gatherer ancestors; by following their diet, we can reduce disease and shed pounds.

Cordain argues that because we genetically adapted to follow the diet of our ancestors, illnesses such as obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, autoimmune diseases and cancer follow when we stray.

The Paleo Diet consists of only eating “fresh meats (preferably grass-fed or free-ranging beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and game meat, if you can get it), fish, seafood, fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and healthful oils (olive, coconut, avocado, macadamia, walnut and flaxseed).

"Dairy products, cereal grains, legumes, refined sugars and processed foods were not part of our ancestral menu,” according to Cordain.

Eating like a caveman works.

USC freshman Kelsey Simonson beat the Freshman 15 with the Paleo Diet.

“I had put on some weight from when I started college and wasn't eating too healthy so I wanted to start eating food without preservatives. I did the diet during weekdays and would be a little more lenient on weekends but not go crazy,” said Simonson, “I lost six pounds!”

However, some experts disagree with the restrictive nature of the diet.

"Although in theory this may seem like a sensible diet, particularly when removing sugar and salt, it has eliminated several food groups like dairy and grains, which provide essential nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, magnesium and phosphorus in dairy and B vitamins, fiber and antioxidants in grains," says Joy Dubost, a registered dietitian and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in an interview with the Huffington Post.

On the Paleo diet, eating low-fat Greek yogurt with fruit (a healthy and low-calorie breakfast) is not allowed.

Restrictive diets, like the Paleo Diet, concern Lisa Sassoon, a dietitian and assistant clinical professor of nutrition at New York University, because of the temptation to binge on foods you aren’t allowed. 

“It eliminates quinoa, ice cream, pasta -- these things we love to eat, that make us social creatures," says Sassoon. "And that means we're less likely to stick with it, more likely to binge. It's not just about losing weight, it’s also about learning how to enjoy food in a healthy way."

Simonson agrees that cutting out certain foods has negative side effects. “I was cranky for a couple days because I couldn’t have sugar,” said the USC freshman. Still, she swears by the diet.

 “I tell everyone to do it because it is a very healthy life style!” said Simonson.

 

FitGirl is a weekly health and fitness column. If you have any questions you want to see answered feel free to email me.