The paleo diet is a dietary approach that focuses on eating whole, unprocessed foods that were available to humans during the Paleolithic era, which was about 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. The diet includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The paleo diet discourages consumption of certain foods, including sugar, grains, legumes, and dairy. The diet is based on the idea that modern diets, which include processed foods, grains, and dairy, are responsible for the rise in chronic diseases in modern society. The paleo diet may help with weight loss and may also lower blood pressure. However, eliminating food groups like grains and dairy may leave you without certain nutrients your body needs. The paleo diet is not effective for continued weight loss and may be difficult to stay committed to for most people. The diet is high in saturated fats due to the increased intake of protein from animal food sources.