Before there were packaged goods, processed foods, GMOs and an ongoing debate between organic or not, there was dirt, seeds, water and roaming animals. It may be hard to consider now, but the dawn of man produced hunters and gatherers and humans had to get their own food – not by heading to the supermarket.

There were no sprays to kill insects, no chemicals or genes added or modified. No extra-large tomatoes or vibrant yellow bananas. Food was simple. It was either found, picked or hunted. And although there weren’t doctors or research scientists to confirm the benefits of such eating, it seems that when it comes to dietary habits, eating like our ancestors has some merit.

Diets come and diets go, but one in particular seems to have staying power and for good reasons as well. It’s based on eating similar to that of prehistoric man and it’s being touted as one of the best way to eat. It’s called the Paleo diet.

What is the Paleo diet?
The Paleo diet was created by Loren Cordain, a now-famous author, speaker and professor of health and exercise science at Colorado State University, who specializes in disease and diet. The Paleo diet itself reflects food items and methods of eating similar to our Stone Age ancestors – that’s right, this diet is framed around eating like cavemen. Through scientific research and peer-reviewed studies, Cordain has uncovered many health benefits to eating the Stone Age way.

There are seven premise on which the Paleo diet guidelines are based:

High protein
Low carbohydrates and low glycemic index
High fiber
Moderate to high fat intake – monosaturated and polysaturated fats with omega-3s and 6s

High potassium, low sodium
Net dietary alkaline balances dietary acid – some foods produce acid (meat) and others are alkaline (fruits and vegetables). Eating a balance of both alkaline and acid foods can have positive health effects.

High intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and plant phytochemicals.

The Synergy of Diet and Exercise for Effective Weight Loss
While there’s no magic bullet for weight loss, combining a healthy diet with regular exercise is the most effective strategy. Certain foods, however, can significantly aid in your weight loss goals by boosting metabolism, reducing appetite, or enhancing fat breakdown. Here’s a closer look at five such powerful foods:

Whole Grains: Your Ally in Fullness and Metabolism
Whole grains are a powerhouse of nutrients, including fiber, which plays a crucial role in weight management. Fiber aids in digestion and helps maintain a feeling of fullness, which prevents overeating. Studies have shown that incorporating whole grains into your diet can help enhance weight loss by improving calorie retention during digestion and increasing metabolism.

Key Benefits:
High fiber content helps in maintaining fullness.
Boosts metabolic rate.
Aids in the elimination of toxins.
Pulses and Lentils: Protein-Rich Superfoods
Pulses and lentils are staples in many diets around the world due to their high protein content. They are also rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that diets including pulses lead to significant weight loss even without intentional calorie restriction.

Key Benefits:
High in protein and fiber.
Support sustainable weight loss.
Provide essential nutrients without adding excessive calories.
Dairy Products: Calcium for Fat Breakdown

Low-fat dairy products are excellent sources of calcium, which some research suggests can aid in the breakdown of fat cells. A meta-analysis in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition highlighted that increased dairy intake was associated with greater weight loss, particularly from the abdominal region.

Key Benefits:
Rich in calcium which may help in fat breakdown.
Low-fat options provide high protein without excess calories.
Green Tea: The Metabolic Booster
Green tea is celebrated for its numerous health benefits, including weight loss. The key component, catechins, are antioxidants that can boost metabolism and aid in the breakdown of fats. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that green tea extract significantly increased energy expenditure (a marker of metabolism) and fat oxidation.

Key Benefits:
Enhances metabolic rate.
Helps in reducing water retention.
Acts as a diuretic.
Apples: Fiber and Pectin for Weight Control

Apples are low in calories and high in fiber and pectin, making them a perfect snack for weight loss. The soluble fiber helps control appetite by slowing digestion and reducing hunger pangs. According to research from the University of Washington, apples can be particularly effective at promoting satiety and reducing calorie intake at subsequent meals.

Key Benefits:
High in fiber and pectin which aid in appetite control.
Low in calories.
Helps reduce water retention.
Expert Guidance and Support
Under the guidance of Dr. Shikha Sharma and her team, including dietitians, nutritionists, and other health experts, individuals can receive personalized dietary advice to meet their weight loss and health goals. Nutri-Health Systems offers counseling sessions through online and telephonic support to make professional guidance accessible to everyone.

Since ages, there exists a thinking in the minds of people that losing weight is something that is related to your dinning habits. But unfortunately, this isn’t true. The process of loosing weight does start with the time and type of food you eat, but there are certain other crucial things to be kept in mind and followed.

The past few years have been the worst in the history of health and nutrition because more and more people came in the ambit of a disorder known as obesity. It is this disorder that has given rise to many other diseases like the cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, gall bladder diseases and even some forms of cancer.

With your ever busy schedules and increasing responsibilities, you find it hard to keep a check on the things that you are eating and munching at the regular intervals. This is the sole cause of you being over weight. So it becomes necessary for you to keep a check on your eating habits and you should go in for a diet plan that is nutritious and healthy.

For this you can follow a comprehensive weight loss program. There are numerous weight loss techniques and methods available in the market, that considerably help you to reduce your weight. So depending on your comfort, you can opt for any of them. These weight losing programs help you to correct your dietary habits as it is the foremost step for a healthy body. Your aim should be of reducing the calorie intake and inculcating different types of nutrients. Restricting the excessive calories intake will show you better and faster results.

Apart from this, following a regular exercising routine also helps a lot. Cardiovascular training is the most effective form of exercising. This exercise considerably burns your calories. Other exercises like aerobics and circuit training are also very helpful.

Obesity has turned into a chronic condition in the recent years. And all the credit goes to our changing and bad lifestyle habits. Though it can be a temporary problem, but sometimes you may find it difficult to come out of its ambit.

Being obese is a life long, frustrating condition. And if not attended properly it can increase and bring with it various other problems. So it becomes necessary for you to keep a check on your eating habits and your deteriorating lifestyle. Only a healthy body is the key to beautiful life. And a healthy body can be only achieved if you are on a healthy diet.