A Paleolithic Diet Analysis

Brown and Richerson (2013) note the integration of evolutionary theory with other sub-disciplines and areas that are under development and lack consensus. Additionally, Thompson and Turner (2013) claim that while the evolutionary mismatch hypothesis can be a useful tool to study the human diet, fully returning to a Paleolithic diet focuses on health and diet from a purely evolutionary standpoint and neglects changes in human biology and cultural factors. Consequently, the Paleolithic diet may have been beneficial for our ancestors, however in today’s modern world, applying it is would be unsustainable, unequal, and rely too much on the past instead of adapting for the future. Although evolutionary theory assists us in understanding the survival

Diets that are restrictive can generally only exist, where it is possible (Metzgar, Rideout, Fontes-Villalba & Kuipers, 2011). This leaves those who are unable to afford choosing higher quality, healthier, or organic foods behind, and excluded. For example, in a survey conducted by Metzgar et al., (2011) an average Paleolithic consumer was found to be between the ages of 21-40, a college graduate, and married without children. Although one may argue an escalating obesity and chronic disease epidemic is also not cost-free, the current structure of our society allows industrial agriculture businesses to make healthy food unaffordable for the average citizen, while unhealthy food is substantially cheaper (Thompson & Turner, 2013). This is what has led to a growth of diseases, and health costs, and needs to be addressed. Thus, instead of returning to our roots, government policies should be introduced on a higher scale to remove processed food, and make healthy options viable for those at lower income

In today’s Western culture, food is often much more than just nutrition. With the rise of mass media, television, and social networking, food is now an experience to share and dining out is one of the most popular ways to connect socially (Neely, Stephens, Waltons, 2014). For example, evolutionary maladaptation can be demonstrated through how mass media and advertisers expose individuals to attractive, flashy products designed increase their sales, and not the recipient’s fitness (Brown & Richerson, 2013). While some claim evolutionary psychologists acknowledge these factors, they often fail to take into account newer pragmatic solutions. For example, researchers have currently working on hunger suppressing bacteria, which could revolutionize weight loss strategies (Zhongyi et al., 2014). For this reason focusing on behaviours that exist because they solved problems efficiently in the past will not necessarily generate adaptive behavior in the present. Psychologists need to examine the achievements of the past along with human 's ability to adapt further based on the current circumstances. [Word