What does it mean to go Paleo? An exploration of the ancestral diet movement

The Paleo diet, which is part of the broader ancestral diet movement, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and has become a phenomenon in the United States. Initial academic exploration of the Paleo diet was inspired by the idea that genetic adaptations are being outpaced by cultural changes. Whether the resulting dietary movement is a "fad," or a diet based on scientifically sound principles is under debate by much of the popular and anthropological communities. Further, there is a wide array of variations to the Paleo diet that individuals adopt. The degree to which these variations result in disparities in health outcomes is largely unknown. This study explored how individuals define, interpret, and practice the Paleo diet in the U.S.A. Media analysis, interviews and a national survey were used to examine what the ideals, practices and possible health outcomes of the Paleo diet were for those who were following it. This study found that specific practices of this diet varied by individual, but the most common practices included frequent vegetable consumption, and avoidance of grains and processed foods. Increased energy and muscle tone, and decreased weight and frequency of illness were the most frequently reported health outcomes from these practices. The majority of study participants indicated they intended to practice this diet indefinitely. Findings from this study indicate the general public's interpretations of the Paleo diet have the potential to impact health, and as such, clinical trials exploring the Paleo diet's efficacy could benefit from incorporating seasonality, food source, and more varied dietary protocols.