Definition & Meaning of "paleo diet"

What is the "paleo diet"?

The paleo diet, short for Paleolithic diet, is a nutritional approach inspired by the presumed dietary habits of early humans during the Paleolithic era. It emphasizes consuming foods that would have been available to our hunter-gatherer ancestors, such as lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Foods that emerged with agriculture, such as grains, legumes, and dairy products, are typically avoided. The rationale behind the paleo diet is that our bodies are genetically adapted to the diet of our Paleolithic ancestors and that modern processed foods contribute to various health issues.