Despite the benefits listed above, there are a couple of glaring problems with the Paleo

Diet – some of which may make this diet a flop for certain people. The first problem with

Paleo is the fact that the overwhelming majority of its health claims are exaggerated,

unproven, or downright made up. While it certainly appeals to a kind of logic where

getting back to a simpler time is held in higher regard than progress, the truth is our

Paleolithic ancestors weren’t much healthier than we are today.

What’s more, they may have even suffered from some of the very same supposed

“diseases of civilization” that we struggle with. It follows, then, that our diet alone isn’t

necessarily the only thing responsible here.

And when you add in the fact that Paleo just doesn’t have the scientific research to back

up its claims (see Scientific American’s How to Really Eat Like a Hunter-Gatherer: Why the

Paleo Diet Is Half-Baked), it seems like Paleo’s health benefits are built on shaky ground.

But what about the diet itself? What kinds of problems can you expect to encounter if you

do decide to go Paleo? Well, there are a few.

• Expenses – Although our caveman ancestors probably weren’t too worried about their

finances, you might be after a few weeks of going Paleo. After all, the deli counter and

the produce section are often the priciest sections of the supermarket and you’ll be

spending quite a bit of time there with Paleo.

• Difficult to Stick to – Despite the enormous number of cookbooks and websites,

some people on Paleo may feel like they don’t know what to eat. That’s because entire

categories of foods (grain and dairy) are off limits. And as with most diets, if you bar

such vast swathes of foods, it can be especially tough to stay true to the guidelines.

• May Cause Nutritional Deficiencies – While our Paleolithic ancestors may not have

had the stomach for dairy or grains in their days, humans have come a long way in

30,000 years. And without these two categories of foods, you may be missing out on

vitamin B2, calcium, and vitamin D – all of which are essential for optimum health. These

deficiencies could end up causing disorders like osteoporosis or even rickets.

• Can Be Tough with Exercise – Carbohydrates are great storehouses for energy. And

when you’re hitting the gym or engaging in cardio, carbs are usually where your power

is coming from. When you cut out grains entirely as with Paleo though, it can be much

tougher to get the most out of your workouts and build muscle correctly. As a result,

athletes and individuals who want to pack on muscle mass probably shouldn’t try

committing to Paleo.