How Does the Caveman Diet Work?

The Basics

Now more than ever, Americans are looking at any conceivable way to combat the battle of the bulge. Many "yo-yo" diets have received attention over the years in the media, leading many people to follow these diets to some success, only to have the weight return. Other diets promote lifelong adherence, advising maintenance once a desired weight has been reached.

Eat Like a Caveman

Once such diet is the Paleo-Diet, AKA "Caveman" Diet, which believes permanent weight loss and healthy lives are attributed to eating like man's earliest ancestors. Since cavemen were essentially scavengers who ate berries, nuts, seeds, plants, fruits and meats, these foods form the basis of the diet plan. Portions are small but frequent throughout the day. Proponents believe that once man discovered fire and found he could cook previously toxic food, grains and starches were introduced that were dense with calories. These foods are portable and easily grown, thus they formed the basis of the human diet.

How It Works

By eliminating high-calorie foods but still consuming enough daily calories, the Caveman Diet works through portion control and caloric restriction. Like many low-carbohydrate diets of similar ilk, carb intake is keep to a bare minimum, as a majority of daily calories are derived from fats and proteins, which contain nine and four calories per gram, respectively. No grains, starches, dairy products, beans or refined sugars are permitted. Fruits, veggies, nuts, berries, legumes and animal proteins are the main course. Stage One involves grazing on nuts and berries throughout the day, each day, for two to four weeks. Each night any food can be eaten. The theory is that this will slowly lead to detoxification of the body from old habits and bad nutrition, and some fat loss is to be expected. The eight-week long Stage Two aims to wrangle in blood glucose levels and keep carb cravings to a minimum. Daily fasting is key, as later in the evening the above mentioned foods in any amount can be eaten. Proponents report the senses will become sharper, bringing the dieter closer in tune with their ancient ancestors' "hunter-gatherer" ways of living and burning fat. Stage Three is essentially the lifelong maintenance phase, as healthy food choices in any amount are encouraged, as is plenty of water. Caveman Diet advocates preach that a return to how humans were meant to eat brings the body back into a natural way of burning fat.