Paleo and Zone Diets Harken Back To Mankind’s Roots

by | Feb 18, 2014 | Health & Fitness, Nutrition, Uncategorized | 0 comments

caveman

Many modern diets have their roots in ancient history. Here are a couple of options that our nutrition expert Jin Long Zhen has studied for your benefit. And while no one wants the table manners of a caveman. it might not be a bad idea to eat more like one. Now…where is my roast mastodon leg?

—Kirk Myers, Health and Fitness Editor, DOWNTOWN MAGAZINE NYC

The Paleo Diet

The Paleolithic or Caveman diet espouses the idea that human beings do not need to eat grains and wheat to account for a large portion of our complex carbohydrate intake.

Until 10,000 years ago, there were no grains on earth and early human beings only ate two food groups and they were low-fat protein and fruits and vegetables.  Our early ancestors survived by dieting on wild berries, fruits off the trees, as well as flowers and the flesh of wild animals.

paleo book

The theory is that if our ancestors were able to survived by simply eating fruits and meats to advance and evolved, why can’t we do the same? Paleo diet supporters also insist, that it may actually cure such diet-related diseases we have today, such as cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke, cancers and or osteoporosis.

In today’s society, carbohydrate food groups such as rice, flour, pasta, grain and wheat are easily cultivated and mass-produced and also the most inexpensive food group. These food groups provides since carbohydrate is the first source of energy for our body where it converts to glucose and eventually ATP (adenosine triphosphate).  But do we really need it since fruits also provide complex carbohydrates?

zonebook

Dr. Loren Cordain, PH.D., the world’s leading expert on the Paleolithic Diet wrote several books explaining the diet, and even provides DVDs and recipes for those that wants to start the diet.  A similar diet is The Zone Diet by Dr. Barry Sears, which also minimizes starchy carbohydrate intakes like rice, grain and wheat and only consuming fruits and meat. Several studies have shown positive results in people that were trying to achieve weight-loss or improve wellness.

Sample Zone Meal Plan:

meal plan

Jin Long Zhen

DOWNTOWN’S Health and Fitness Editor Kirk Myers, struggled with childhood obesity and hit bottom when he ballooned to 300 pounds and suffered congestive heart failure when he was still a college student of 21. Through hard work, diet and determination, Myers dropped 125 pounds and has become one of most sought-after trainers of celebrities, athletes and other Downtowners at the Gotham Gym NYC. He also bears a striking resemblance to Barney Rubble. 

—DOWNTOWN Magazine’s Health and Fitness Editor, Kirk Myers and Jin Long Zhen, are also personal trainers at the Gotham Gym, NYC.

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If you’d like to learn more about Tribeca’s Gotham Gym, NYC, or to sign up for a membership, go to: www.gothamgymnyc.com

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