Paleo diet

Written by the VitaWhat editorial team · Medically reviewed by Steve Davis · Last reviewed 19 July 2026 · Editorial policy

Focuses on foods presumed available to hunter-gatherers, excluding grains, dairy and legumes.

Pros

  • Cuts ultra-processed food and added sugar
  • High in protein and vegetables

Cons

  • Excludes nutritious grains, dairy and legumes
  • Can be costly
  • Limited long-term evidence

Suitable foods

  • Meat, fish and eggs
  • Vegetables and fruit
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Healthy oils

Foods to limit or avoid

  • Grains
  • Dairy
  • Legumes
  • Refined sugar
  • Processed foods

Sources & references

  1. British Nutrition Foundation
  2. Harvard T.H. Chan Nutrition Source

Related entries

DASH dietFlexitarian dietGluten-free dietIntermittent fastingKetogenic (keto) dietLow-carbohydrate diet
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