The Paleo and Gluten-Free diets are both popular choices for individuals looking to improve their health and wellness. However, there are distinct differences between the two diets that set them apart from each other. In order to understand the differences, it’s important to first understand the basics of each diet.
The Paleo diet, also known as the Paleolithic diet, is based on the principle of eating only the foods that our ancestors would have consumed during the Paleolithic era. This means focusing on whole, unprocessed foods such as lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The diet avoids grains, legumes, dairy products, and processed foods, as they were not available during that time.
On the other hand, the Gluten-Free diet is focused on eliminating gluten – a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye – from the diet. This diet is essential for those with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. However, many people without celiac disease also choose to follow a gluten-free diet due to personal preference or for other health reasons.
Key Takeaways
- The Paleo diet is based on the principle of eating only the foods that our ancestors would have consumed during the Paleolithic era, while the Gluten-Free diet is focused on eliminating gluten from the diet.
- The Paleo diet avoids grains, legumes, dairy products, and processed foods, while the Gluten-Free diet primarily avoids wheat, barley, and rye.
- Following a Paleo diet may also result in consuming a gluten-free diet, but not all gluten-free diets are Paleo-compliant due to the inclusion of certain processed foods and grains.