The Paleo Paradox: Why Are You Eating Like a Caveman?
You’ve undoubtedly heard of the Paleolithic or "Paleo" diet—and how it’s good to eat like a caveman (we’re talking lean meats, fish, fruit, veggies, nuts, and seeds). But why?
Copying the approach of people whose average lifespan was dramatically shorter than our own doesn’t totally make sense. Or does it? Here’s a look at what the science says, so you can better optimize your nutrition—the modern way.
Caveman Contradiction
The average Paleolithic human lived roughly 25 to 30 years—which isn’t long at all. While this short lifespan was likely due to infections, accidents, and a lack of modern medical care, it does raise questions about idolizing this ancestral lifestyle and nutrition M.O.
Way back when in the cave days, humans weren't making conscious health choices; they were eating whatever they could find in order to survive. Their diet varied enormously based on geography and season, making the modern "Paleo diet" an approximation rather than an accurate historical recreation.
Science on Paleo
Modern nutritional science provides advantages cavemen couldn't dream of. For example, research consistently shows that:
Whole grains (which can be excluded from strict Paleo diets) are associated with reduced cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Legumes (also Paleo-restricted) provide excellent protein and fiber with minimal down sides.
Making Paleo Your Own
Your body has adapted to today’s food landscape, so while you can take the good from Paleo principles, you can also make it your own. Here’s how:
Prioritize whole, minimally processed foods.
Eat a variety of vegetables and fruit—and lots of them.
Choose high-quality, unprocessed protein sources.
Include healthy fats in your diet, such as from avocados, nuts, and seeds.
Limit or avoid refined sugars and industrial seed oils.
Modern Food Advantage
Unlike your cave-dwelling ancestors, you have the privilege of choice. You can select foods based on their nutritional value rather than mere availability. And lucky you: You’ve got refrigeration, modern farming, and research-backed information on nutrients.
And if you do want to take something from your ancestors, remember they weren’t counting macros or timing their protein intake around workouts—if they were even working out at all. They were just trying to survive another day, and you can thrive for decades.
