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The paleo diet: Summary, Evaluation of source, and Reflection

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The Paleo diet

Summary

The “Paleo Diet,” an article by Matt McMillen, 2020, is an insightful article whose aim is

to encourage the consumer to consider a different approach to dieting. The author, begins by

stating that the fastest way to shed pounds was to eat like a caveman, a simile, used to encourage

humor and to inspire the reader to read more in order to understand why the author holds such

thoughts. The article folds out to reveal, that the reason she encourages consumers to live like

cavemen is that consuming food that is high in proteins, and foods with high fiber, can eliminate

the possibility of the consumer’s health giving way to cancer, diabetes, heart diseases among

others. Matt McMillen also advocates for eating plans which can allow the consumer to lose

weight without cutting calories. She offers the reader a list of products that they can eat as

opposed to foods that they cannot eat. He states that adopting the paleo diet would mean eating

numerous proteins, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables. He states that the paleo diet is restrictive

as products such as dairy, wheat, processed foods, grains and legumes are not included. He

concludes, that the paleo diet is not vegan or vegetarian and doesn’t have salt. He adds that the

cost may high and support is essential to anyone considering the paleo diet.
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Evaluation of Source

The Article “Paleo Diet” is written by Matt McMillen. The author is a freelance writer

since 2002 but whom has written for WebMD from 2006. He is a graduate of Loyola University

Chicago, class of 1995 with a major in philosophy. His article is informative and credible

because he offers unbiased research on the topic therefore allowing him to present the leader

with information that takes into consideration different avenues of thought. He presents the

reader with information that entails what the consumer should and should not do, as well as what

to expect if they should consider the paleo diet. Additionally, he has undertaken research on

matters of health which allows him to present up-to-date information on the topic of health.

Being a well-respected publisher on matters pertaining to health makes his information a good

source of reference. More so, the citations and references he offers are credible. The article is

hosted by WebMD which makes it reliable while the source is also peer-reviewed by Kathleen

Zelman, MPH, RD. the article is reliable as a secondary source of information.

Reflection

The article by Matt McMillen has been important as it widened my understanding of diets

plans further from the normal idea of consuming vegetables and fruits, healthy fats and drinking

enough water. I was able to understand that dieting could expand beyond food portions and fiber

intake. Through Matt McMillen’s summation of the paleo diet I was able to take a more critical

look at protein, lean fiber, as well as the elimination of particular foods from a diet plan in order

to conform to a dieting plan that works. Similarly, the article also paved room for research on the

need for group interventions in health planning in order to acquire support from people with

similar needs. I learned that dieting can including cutting sodium intake from diets, that support
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is essential, as it creates more awareness on the issue, and dieting may not always be an

inexpensive ordeal.by using the key words “the paleo diet I was able to find this article among

several others including some from Mayo Clinic and health line which offered insight into the

topic as well. The writing process was conclusive and detailed. The author displayed the topic

with such skill that it did change my mind on dieting because I had to undertake more research

on the paleo diet, a concept I didn’t know a few months before. I liked the article as it creates

awareness on an aspect of health many people still know little to nothing about in an age where

people are constantly looking for new information on weight loss techniques.

Reference

McMillen M., 2020. The Paleo Diet. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/paleo-

diet.