When it comes to dieting in the 21st century, a look to the past for guidance might not be such a bad idea. Though diets may be interpreted as limiting, a prehistoric approach to eating is not outdated.

What is the paleo diet?

The paleo diet, also referred to as the “caveman diet,” has become increasingly popular and has been linked to better health. A paleo diet emphasizes the importance of being food conscientious, noting that what people eat can have a large impact on their overall health.

A paleo diet is modeled after what hunter-gatherers during the Paleolithic Age consumed. Generally, a paleo diet does not include dairy, and is similar to a vegan diet in this aspect; however, any form of processed food is absent. During the Paleolithic Age, corn was a food not consumed by humans. Now, it is a common ingredient found in many of the processed foods Americans eat.

How the paleo diet can help: Certain foods under a paleo diet, like raw nuts and berries, improve concentration.

“I would say that you can definitely use some of the paleo diet principles – such as eating more fruits and vegetables and reducing sugar and salt in your diet,” said Shauna Schultz, Sacramento State’s Student Health Service Nutritionist. “But I would also say that many dietary and lifestyle factors play a role in weight management and chronic disease prevention. Cutting out whole grains, legumes and dairy, or dairy alternatives, may result in nutritional inadequacies and be ultimately hard to stick to. Furthermore, you may exceed recommended intakes for protein and fat.”

Are there any benefits to the paleo diet?

“While better eating habits and patterns have a positive impact on academics, it would be hard to say if following a paleo type diet is superior than other healthy eating patterns,” Schultz said.

Obesity and the paleo diet:

Americans’ increasing waistlines could serve as an indication of food production’s industrialization negatively impacting their diets. Cheaper food often comes at the expense of health; the most affordable foods available at fast-food places or the grocery store are generally ridden with high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives.

“I think that the way Americans eat is a big reason why Americans have as many health problems as they do,” said senior biology major Johana Pierremont.

My recommendation:

An important factor to remember about the paleo diet is that our ancestors had a higher intake of fat and protein probably because they were much more active in comparison to the average American today. Since college students may be more concerned with passing classes instead of hunting, a paleo diet may not be for them, but a healthy lifestyle can be.

Try paleo in college:

Being in college and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be challenging, especially as an incoming freshmen that may not be used to planning meals for themselves. Sac State students can advance exploration of their dietary options for healthier living by consulting a nutritionist for free on campus at The Well.

“While better eating habits and patterns have a positive impact on academics, it would be hard to say if following a paleo-type diet is superior than other healthy eating patterns,” Schultz said.

Hope Roberts can be reached at [email protected]