The Paleo Diet, also known as the Caveman Diet, is one of the most popular diets in the world today. It emulates the diet of our stone age ancestors who would eat mostly foods they could hunt and gather such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and eggs. Keeping in mind the Paleolithic era was prior to farming and keeping livestock, all forms of diary and grains are to be avoided. The diet is high in protein and fiber while eschewing processed foods such as refined sugar, flour, additives, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners.
One of the reasons why the diet is so popular is it keeps things very simple; if the caveman didn’t eat it, neither can you. There is no calorie counting or meal replacements involved. You also have the backing of a strong Paleo community that keeps motivation levels high with regular retreats and meetings – something very important for long term weight loss. A diet that allows an occasional bacon and eggs for breakfast while promising weight loss can seem too good to be true, but a review of several trials lasting between 3 to 15 months presented at the American Public Health Association has found this to be correct. A potential down side to Paleo diet is the abundance of animal based food as the source for protein. One has to ensure that significant source of one’s dietary protein is derived from plant based wholesome foods such as nuts.
Can Paleo work as a post-weight loss surgery diet? Yes, it can! With a few modifications and the go ahead from your surgeon. After bariatric surgery, your stomach will be very small and Paleo food which is nutrient dense would be the ideal choice to pack in as much nutrition as possible into the limited space available. If anything, you may have to restrict vegetables and fat and increase the protein content. Protein shakes and supplements may also be needed on a regular basis.
If you are looking for a great post-bariatric surgery diet that will sustain you on your weight loss journey, the Paleo diet may be just what the doctor ordered to strip off all that is superfluous and get down to the basics, just like in the old Paleolithic days!
Dr. Marc Zaré specializes in minimally invasive surgery and believes that modern surgery should be innovative, non-invasive, and patient-centered. His mission is to provide every patient compassionate surgical care based on sound scientific evidence. With more than 12 years of experience in clinical practice, Dr. Zaré is considered to be a leader and one of the foremost experts of his field in Northern California. He is recognized for his surgical skills, clinical expertise, and superior outcomes.
