Blake Lively, Kanye West, and Christina Aguilera have used paleo to lose weight, reports suggest.
Eating like a caveman is catching on — but does it work? According to some celebs, the answer is a resounding yes. The idea behind a paleolithic diet (or “paleo” diet for short) can be summed up thus: “We should eat foods most closely resembling what we evolved to eat,” says the nutritionist Dana Rogers, RD, of Sustainable Dish, located in Concord, Massachusetts.
The potential benefit? “Proponents believe that this diet is genetically and biologically ideal for humans and will help reduce the incidence of chronic diseases and obesity,” says Kaley Todd, RDN, a staff nutritionist at Sun Basket who is based in San Francisco.
Although there isn’t enough conclusive evidence to support the benefit claims of the paleo diet, early research findings suggest the plan may help treat or manage certain health conditions. For instance, a study published in April 2017 in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who followed a paleo diet most closely had a 23 percent lower risk of death from any cause. (Nonetheless, those on a Mediterranean diet fared better, with a 37 percent lower mortality risk.)
Some studies suggest paleo may be particularly useful for those who have type 2 diabetes; for example, research published in the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology, which found that three months on a paleo diet bettered glycemic control, lowered diastolic blood pressure, reduced waist circumference (a risk factor for heart disease), and improved “good” HDL cholesterol, which is heart-protective. Other data, published in a small randomized crossover study in July 2013 in Nutrition Journal, found that while a paleo diet can be tough to stick to, it may also be more satiating per calorie than traditional diets that aim to treat diabetes. Always speak with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet.
RELATED: What Makes for a Good Type 2 Diabetes Diet?
Many celebs now are eating like our ancestors in hopes of losing weight. And research suggests it may help. An August 2017 review in the journal Nutrients analyzed the efficacy of various popular diets. At the time of the investigation, there was only one short- and long-term trial on paleo. One found that following a paleo diet for one year helped obese postmenopausal women lose about 21 pounds (though the review also found that the low-carb Atkins diet ultimately showed the most evidence for weight loss).
Paleo calls for eating lots of vegetables, certain fats (including coconut oil, avocado oil, and ghee), animal protein and seafood (preferably wild or grass-fed), eggs, fermented foods, nuts and seeds, and herbs and spices, says Rogers. But just as important as what people are eating is what they’re avoiding. On paleo, you’re saying no to processed vegetable oils (like soy, canola, peanut), all grains, legumes, and refined and artificial sugars. You also can’t drink alcohol on paleo.
RELATED: A Detailed Food List of What to Eat and Avoid on the Paleo Diet
Increasingly popular are paleo-like diets that offer some wiggle room. Rogers says there are a number of foods in a paleo gray area: Some people eat white rice, honey, or maple syrup, wine, yogurt, and cheese. You’ll see that in the celebs who take certain liberties with paleo. But that’s the benefit — you can tweak the approach to fit your life.
You also don’t have to worry that focusing on fresh, unprocessed food is a risk to your health in general. But there are a few potential concerns. A study published in January 2018 in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition on postmenopausal obese women found that because a paleo diet eliminates iodized table salt, it increases the risk of a deficiency in iodine, a nutrient that’s important for thyroid function. The researchers suggest you consider an iodine supplement if you're going paleo. (That said, this deficiency is very rare overall in the United States.)
You may also run low on calcium when you eliminate dairy, research shows. Still, you can get calcium from other sources like sardines and kale. Ask your doctor if you need to supplement your diet if you want to try paleo.
Overall, though, there are many things you can learn from our ancestors when it comes to a healthy diet, regardless of whether you’re eating paleo: “Everyone can benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, and choosing whole over processed foods,” says Todd. That said, here are a dozen celebs who’ve reportedly caved in.
Jessica Biel
While Biel doesn’t call herself fully paleo, there’s no wheat, gluten, or dairy for The Sinner actress, per the Los Angeles Times. Biel has dished about one of her family’s favorite breakfasts, paleo pancakes topped with cashew or almond butter and local honey, served alongside chicken apple sausage, fresh juice, and green tea. Salad, salmon, rice, and veggies round out the day.
Blake Lively
To get in shape for The Shallows, Lively had to double down — she had had a baby just eight months before filming began. “No gluten, no soy, and then no processed foods. I had butter, I had sugar, I had all that stuff. It was just making my own stuff. I guess it was close to paleo … it was nice to eat clean like that,” she told Extra.
Channing Tatum
Having been declared the Sexiest Man Alive by People in 2012, the Magic Mike star told the publication he gone paleo in preparation for his role as an Olympic wrestler in the movie Foxcatcher, calling it “a vegetables-and-meat type thing.” But that didn’t stop him from enjoying food. “I’ll cheat on weekends and have some wine or vodka. And I’ll have one big meal like breaded rock shrimp. I love comfort food,” he said.
Eva La Rue
The former CSI Miami and All My Children star is 51 years old, but you’d never know. She credits her figure to following a paleo-like diet. She told Canada’s Viva Magazine that she limits carbs and packs her diet with vegetables and protein, like grass-fed meats.
Phil Mickelson
The professional golfer set a goal to shed 20 pounds (lb) to help improve his game. “Phil’s basically following a paleo diet, which is gluten-free, no sugars, and no processed foods,” his strength and conditioning coach Sean Cochran told GolfDigest, adding, “You have to wonder how a Twinkie can have a five-year shelf life. That can’t be good for your performance.”
Aisha Tyler
The actress and comedian gave People a peek into her daily eats, calling her diet a “modified" paleo diet.
“This means, for the most part, I avoid refined carbohydrates, grains, dairy, and sugar,” she said. Some favorite foods that keep her on track? Avocado (which she says she eats sometimes twice a day) and organic nuts.
Matthew McConaughey
According to Paleo f(x), the Dallas Buyers Club actor relies on high-fiber, low-starch veggies, proteins, and healthy fats. But he does indulge a little, adding in wine for balance and whey-protein shakes to keep up his energy.
Edgar Ramirez
To get in shape for the boxing flick Hands of Stone, actor Edgar Ramirez let his costar Usher in on his secret. “I was doing paleo, which is eating like a caveman pretty much,” Ramirez told People. That’s how he lost weight — and kept it off — during filming. Hey, it helped them go the distance!
Jeb Bush
The former Republican presidential candidate said he lost 30 lb in roughly four months by shunning bread and pasta. He tried the low-carb Atkins diet and extreme exercise, but saying no to starch, dairy, and refined sugar on the paleo diet is what did the trick — even though, as the New York Times reported — he did experience “regular bouts of dietary crankiness.”
Kanye West
Last fall, people took notice of the hip-hop star’s apparent weight gain — his wife, the reality-TV personality Kim Kardashian West, reportedly instructed him to go on a “daddy diet” to get his six-pack back. “He can’t cut out carbs like Kim did when she lost the weight after having Saint, because he’ll be working out so hard, so it will be a paleo-inspired diet created by Kim’s nutritionist,” an insider told The Sun Online.
Christina Aguilera
The singer has credited a past 49 lb weight loss to a paleo-like diet, during which she reportedly filled up on protein and healthy fats, like avocado and turkey bacon, celery and peanut butter, shrimp cocktail, and fish curry.