The "Paleo" diet or "Caveman" diet has recently become a popular diet, especially among some fitness groups such as CrossFit. The Paleo diet is a modern day diet based on the presumed ancient diet of early man during the Paleolithic Era.
There are many aspects of this diet which are health promoting, such as the addition of fruits, vegetables, and nuts and seeds. Other beneficial attributes include the avoidance of dairy products, processed snack foods, and alcohol. However, legumes, grains, and starchy vegetables have also been eliminated which are beneficial and are a significant part of a whole-food, Starch-Smart® diet. The Paleo diet centers its meals around animal products, much like the typical American diet, and is high in saturated fat and low in carbohydrates. Advocates state that the high percentage of animal products to whole plant food is a key feature of this diet with sausage, bacon, lard and tallow being acceptable.