What is the Paleo Diet?

April 17, 2023

It seems just about every month a new, fad diet pops onto the scene, promising to help you shed pounds and get healthy. But there’s one diet that has gained popularity with many. And instead of being new, it’s old. Quite old.



The paleo diet is an eating plan based on foods humans were thought to have eaten during the Paleolithic Era. In other words, it’s a way of eating based on how our ancestors ate. And when I say ancestors, I mean people who lived from between 10,000 and 2.5 million years ago. So you could say it’s the diet that human beings evolved on.


Why Do Some People Swear by the Paleo Diet?

Some health experts suggests that our genes have not adapted to modern diets that grew out of agriculture. They believe we can optimize our health if we eat the same foods our ancestors ate for thousands, or even millions, of years.


Why is eating farmed foods so problematic?

Before farming, human beings did not eat grains, legumes or dairy. While all of those food categories are delicious, some experts feel our guts and DNA simply cannot handle these foods that have only been around for a few thousands years. A blip on the human evolution screen.


What Foods are Allowed?

Our ancestors were hunter-gatherers and would eat locally-sourced (obviously) fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds. Some on the paleo diet are very strict, eating only fruits and veggies that would have been available to their ancestors. For example, someone who evolved in a warm climate would have had different produce available than someone who evolved in Northern Europe.


Getting Started

If you are someone who needs to lose weight or reduce heart disease or other chronic conditions, the Paleo diet may be very beneficial. Getting started is easy. Simply avoid processed foods, grains and dairy products and eat plenty of the foods I listed. And as always, speak to your healthcare provider before starting any new diet plan.


SOURCES:

Man sitting with hands covering face near a window, appearing distressed.
December 19, 2025
Discover 10 natural depression treatments without medication, including therapy, nutrition, neurofeedback, and lifestyle changes that support recovery.
Purple silhouette head with a brain-shaped thought bubble containing a butterfly; six blue butterflies arch above.
November 21, 2025
Discover how neurofeedback supports trauma recovery by retraining brain patterns for emotional balance, resilience, and long-term healing.
Glass cup and teapot of herbal tea with mint sprig, beside an open book.
October 17, 2025
Want better brain and body health? Explore 5 antioxidant drinks you should add to your diet and read more about their benefits today.
Rainbow ribbon looped into an infinity symbol on a light blue background.
September 19, 2025
Explore how neurofeedback therapy benefits a high-functioning autism brain. Find out how a neurofeedback therapist can help improve focus.
Silhouette head with
August 22, 2025
Understand the impact of Neurofeedback ADHD on attention and behavior. Find out why this therapy is gaining attention. Read more here.
Person in green dress holding clipboard, facing another person with hands outstretched, seated on a couch.
July 23, 2025
See why In-Person Therapy offers benefits virtual sessions can’t. Learn how face-to-face counselling can support your mental wellness today.
Woman wearing glasses, hands on face, looking at a laptop in front of a white mug.
June 19, 2025
Discover what genetics reveal about Stress Resilience. Apply insights to reduce stress, improve focus, and support mental wellness now.
Woman in a school uniform, resting chin on hand, looking at a classmate in a classroom.
June 8, 2025
The brain has three main executive functions: working memory (which helps you remember what you’re doing at the present moment), cognitive flexibility (which helps you shift your thinking from one topic to another), and inhibition control (which helps you focus and stop yourself from saying and doing certain things). Executive dysfunction disrupts these functions, making it difficult for someone to manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. What Causes Executive Dysfunction? Researchers are still working to determine exactly what causes executive dysfunction, but studies suggest that it can result from various conditions, including: Addiction Alzheimer’s disease Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Autism spectrum disorder Brain tumors Cerebral hypoxia Exposure to certain toxins Dementia Depression Epilepsy Head injuries Huntington’s disease Infections Multiple sclerosis (MS) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Schizophrenia Strokes Treatment for executive dysfunction will usually depend on the condition that caused it. What Are the Symptoms of Executive Dysfunction? Executive dysfunction can produce different symptoms in different people. If you have executive dysfunction, you may: Be easily distracted Find it hard to focus on one thing Daydream when you need to pay attention Focus too much on one thing Lack impulse control Have a hard time explaining your thought processes Struggle to motivate yourself to start difficult or boring tasks Have trouble planning or completing tasks Get easily interrupted partway through tasks Find it difficult to move from one task to another Learn More About Executive Dysfunction If you think you might be experiencing executive dysfunction, we encourage you to reach out and schedule an appointment. Our experienced therapists understand the impact that executive dysfunction can have on a person’s life, and we would love the opportunity to help you overcome the challenges you’re currently facing. Contact us today to get started.
Person crouching inside a taped square on the floor, looking distressed
June 1, 2025
You may have heard about the benefits of setting boundaries with family, friends, and coworkers—by communicating your needs and wants, you can boost your self-esteem, prioritize your mental and emotional health, and improve your overall well-being. In the long run, boundaries can also enhance the relationships you have with those around you since they can help you feel respected instead of resentful. But did you know that there are numerous types of boundaries? Here are three of the most common: Physical boundaries – You communicate how you want to be touched and how much personal space you need. For example, you can let a colleague know that you’d rather shake hands instead of hugging or kissing. This doesn’t just apply to your body, either—you can also let your in-laws know that you don’t feel comfortable having them enter your bedroom while they’re babysitting. Material boundaries – You communicate when you’re willing to lend out money and possessions and how you want them to be treated. For instance, you can let a friend know that you can’t afford to lend them more than $100. Or, you can tell your son that he can only borrow your car if he returns it with a full tank of gas. Time boundaries – You communicate how you want to use your time. For example, you can tell your boss that you can’t stay past the end of your scheduled workday. Or, you can ask your spouse to refrain from calling and texting while you’re having dinner with friends except in case of an emergency. Start Setting Boundaries in Your Life If you need help implementing any of the boundaries described above, contact us today and ask to schedule a consultation with one of the skilled therapists on our team. We understand the many benefits that healthy boundaries can offer, and we’ll work with you to identify the steps you’ll need to take to set them in your life.
Woman smiling while using a laptop on a couch with colorful pillows
May 25, 2025
It’s well known that the teen years are the most trying time for parents. It may seem like their rebellion is personal, and that they’re determined to make your home life miserable; but in reality, this is a natural process. Your teenager is maturing both physically and emotionally, and their brain is still developing. When their frontal cortex develops in a few years, you will see a different person. Until that time however, talking to them can feel nearly impossible. Here are some tips for talking to your angry teen.  Change Your Parenting Style If you have an authoritarian parenting style, you’ll need to switch styles. An authoritarian method of parenting will cause you to butt heads with your teen, resulting in increased anger and lack of resolution. Switch your style to an authoritative style to get better reactions. An authoritative parent explains their reasoning, gives consequences while taking their child’s feelings and other circumstances into consideration, and overall puts a great deal of effort into the relationship they’re developing with their child. Frame the Conversation When it’s time to have a conversation with your teen, first frame the conversation so they know that you’re not angry. If they think you’re angry, they’re more likely to get defensive or shut down. Because they’re unable to fully control their emotions or foresee the consequences of their behavior, they’re highly reactive and will immediately become irrationally angry. To avoid this, let them know that you are irritated, disappointed, or upset, but that you’re not angry with them. Listen Overall, it’s important to keep lines of communication open with your teen. You can turn anger into dialogue by simply making an effort to listen to and understand your teen, and ensure that you heard them and understand their feelings. Trying to give advice or enforce rules can break communication down when you need it to stay open. Your teen is trying to figure out their identity as they go through many hormonal, growth and development changes that are out of their control. Understand that their anger is about asserting themselves or trying to separate themselves as an individual. This is a difficult time, and your teen needs empathy. Stay your child’s safe and secure base, so when they’ve calmed down or are growing out of this phase, they know where to come back. If you’re a parent having a difficult time with a teenager, a licensed therapist can offer support and guidance for both of you. Call my office today so we can set up a time to talk.
Show More