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The Paleolithic diet is a modern dietary pattern modeled on foods presumed to have been eaten by early humans before the development of agriculture. It emphasizes vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, and lean meats while generally excluding grains, legumes, dairy products, refined sugars, and highly processed foods.
In nutritional psychology, the Paleolithic diet is studied for its potential relationships with mood, anxiety, and perceived stress. Although some observational studies associate greater adherence with fewer psychological symptoms, at this time of publishing, findings are mixed and do not establish that the diet causes improvements in mental health.
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Editorial responsibilityHow to cite this entry
CNP (2026). Paleolithic Diet. In CNP Encyclopedia Editorial Board (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology. The Center for Nutritional Psychology.
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