Part 2: Theoretical intakes of modern-day Paleo diets: Comparison to dietary reference intakes and MyPlate recommendations

Authors: KARLSEN, MICAELA - Friedman School Of Nutrition; STAFFIER, KARA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; AGOULNIK, DOROTHY - Friedman School Of Nutrition; MIKI, AKARI - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; LICHTENSTEIN, ALICE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; GILHOOLY, CHERYL - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; FOLTA, SARA - Friedman School Of Nutrition; ECONOMOS, CHRISTINA - Friedman School Of Nutrition; MCKEOWN, NICOLA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Nutrition Today
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/30/2021
Publication Date: 7/8/2021
Citation: Karlsen, M.C., Staffier, K.L., Agoulnik, D.S., Miki, A., Lichtenstein, A.H., Gilhooly, C., Folta, S.C., Economos, C.D., McKeown, N.M. 2021. Part 2: Theoretical intakes of modern-day Paleo diets: Comparison to dietary reference intakes and MyPlate recommendations. Nutrition Today. 56(4):158-168. https://doi.org/10.1097/NT.0000000000000490.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NT.0000000000000490

Interpretive Summary: This study compares the diet quality of Paleo meal plans to U.S. nutrition guidance (MyPlate). Our results show that Paleo meal plans contain no identifiable refined grains or added sugars and have higher fruit and vegetable intake than MyPlate recommendations. However, Paleo meal plans exceed recommended levels of saturated fat (19%) resulting in low unsaturated / saturated fat ratios, and do not meet recommendations for total carbohydrate, fiber, calcium, and potassium. Thus, while certain aspects of Paleo meal plans offer improvements over typical American intakes, Paleo diets should be approached with caution, particularly because of the potential for increased cardiovascular risk due to low unsaturated/saturated fat ratios.

Technical Abstract: Background: The Paleo diet is a popular dietary pattern based on interpretation of evolutionary diets. Objective: To assess the relative dietary quality of theoretical, modern-day Paleo meal plans in comparison to national nutrition guidance. Methods: This analysis used data from the Adhering to Dietary Approaches for Personal Taste (ADAPT) Study. Survey respondents who self-identified as following a Paleo diet (N=925) reported their top sources of food and nutrition information, and a random sample (n=200) were selected for analysis. Five days of meal plans suggested by the top six Paleo cited sources, as well as five days of theoretical MyPlate meal plans, were analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) for a total of 30 days of meal plans for each dietary pattern. Food and nutrient levels of Paleo meal plans were compared to the Dietary References Intakes (DRIs) and MyPlate meal plans. Results: Paleo meal plans contain no identifiable refined grains or added sugars, and have higher fruit and vegetable intakes than MyPlate recommendations. However, Paleo meal plans exceed recommended levels of saturated fat (19%) resulting in low unsaturated/saturated fat ratios, and do not meet the DRIs for total carbohydrate, fiber, calcium, and potassium. Conclusion: While certain aspects of promoted Paleo meal plans offer improvements over typical American intakes, Paleo diets should be approached with caution, particularly because of the potential for increased cardiovascular risk due to low unsaturated/saturated fat ratios. Future research should compare actual intakes to theoretical targets.