Table 2 Description of the Paleo diet, control diet and methodology of evaluation of diets

Boers et al., 2014 [30]

Centesimal composition: not informed.

Included: fish, lean meat, eggs, nuts, fruits, vegetables (dark green and cruciferous) and roots.

Excluded: cereals, dairy products, legumes, salt, sugar and refined fat.

Centesimal composition: not informed.

Included: according to Guidelines for a healthy diet of the Dutch Health Council.

Daily food record with telephone contact every other day.

Boraxbekk et al., 2015 [26]

Centesimal composition:

Energy (Kcal):1.698 (235)

Protein (%): 24 (2)

Lipid (%): 44 (4)

Carbohydrate (%): 28 (3)

Included: fish, lean meat, eggs, nuts, fruits.

Excluded: not informed.

Centesimal composition:

Energy (Kcal): 1.676 (364)

Protein (%): 19 (1)

Lipid (%): 30 (6)

Carbohydrate (%): 45 (6)

Included: according to Nordic Nutrition Recommendations with low-fat dairy products and high-fiber products.

Excluded: not informed.

Food record for 4 days, at the beginning and at 6 months of intervention.

Genoni et al., 2016 [41]

Centesimal composition:

Energy (Kcal): 5915 (1452)

Protein (%): 26.8 (7.2)

Lipid (%): 39.8 (9.6)

Carbohydrate (%): 27.8 (8.05)

Included: fish, lean meat, eggs, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Excluded: cereals, grains, dairy products, legumes and potatoes.

Centesimal composition:

Energy (Kcal): 6657 (1725)

Protein (%): 21.7 (5.6)

Lipid (%): 32.6 (7.3)

Carbohydrate (%): 40.6 (9.4)

Included: five food groups according to Australian dietary recommendations; higher intake of vegetables, fruits and whole products; consumption of low-fat dairy products; Reduced foods: fat, cakes, cookies, sugary drinks and sweets.

Food record for 3 days (2 days per week and one weekend day) before starting the intervention and at days 26–28 after the intervention.

Jonsson et al., 2009 [37]

Centesimal composition:

Energy (Kcal):1445 (367)

Protein (%): 24 (3)

Lipid (%): 39 (5)

Carbohydrate (%): 32 (7)

Included: fish, lean meat, eggs, nuts, fruits, vegetables (dark green, cruciferous), roots, canola oil, olive oil and wine.

Excluded: grains, bakery products, dairy products, legumes, salt, sugar, sugary drinks, refined fat, and beer.

Centesimal composition:

Energy (Kcal):1456 (312)

Protein (%): 20 (4)

Lipid (%): 34 (6)

Carbohydrate (%): 42 (7)

Included: fruits, vegetables, whole bread and other whole grains, and legumes.

Reduced foods: total fat and salt.

Food record for four consecutive days (including a weekend day), beginning sex weeks after the start of intervention.

Lindeberg et al., 2007 [40]

Centesimal composition:

Energy (Kcal): 1344 (521)

Protein (%):27.9 (6.8)

Lipid (%):26.9 (6.4)

Carbohydrate (%):40.2 (8.3)

Included: fish, lean meat, eggs, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Excluded: grains, dairy products, salt, sugar and refined fat.

Centesimal composition:

Energy (Kcal):1795 (306)

Protein (%): 20.5 (3.6)

Lipid (%): 24.7 (4.3)

Carbohydrate (%):51.7 (5.3)

Included: according to the Mediterranean Diet, based on fish, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and refined fats, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid.

Food registration during four consecutive days (including a weekend day), beginning 15 ± 5 days after the start of intervention.

Otten et al., 2016 [23]

Centesimal composition: not informed.

Included: fish, seafood, lean meat, eggs, nuts, fruits and vegetables

Excluded: cereals, dairy products, legumes, salt and sugar.

Centesimal composition: not informed.

Included: according to Nordic Nutrition Recommendations with increased intake of fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meat. Dairy products should be low in fat.

Food records during 4 days (3 days a week and one weekend) performed two to 4 days after the start of intervention, monthly up to 6 months and then, at nine, 12, 18 and 24 months.

Pastore et al., 2015 [14]

Centesimal composition:

Women:

Energy (Kcal): women 1719.7 (262.7); men 2101.8 (382.2)

Protein (%): 37

Lipid (%):40

Carbohydrate (%): 23

Included: lean meat, eggs, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Excluded: grains, dairy products and legumes.

Centesimal composition:

Women:

Energy (Kcal): 2269 (310.5)

Protein (%): 17

Lipid (%): 23

Carbohydrate (%): 60

Men:

Energy (Kcal): 2866.1 (262.7)

Protein (%):21

Lipid (%):23

Carbohydrate (%):56

Included: diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains with little or no salt and fish at least twice a week.

Reduced food: sugary foods and drinks.

From a series of ten 24-h reminders recorded at the beginning and during each phase of the diet.

Fontes-Vilalba et al., [42]

Centesimal composition: not informed.

Included: lean meat, fish, fruits, vegetables (leafy and cruciferous), eggs and nuts.

Excluded: dairy, grains, legumes, refined fats, sugar, sweets, soft drinks, beer and salt.

Centesimal composition: not informed.

Included: higher intake of vegetables, fruits, roots, whole bread and other whole grains and legumes.

Reduced food: total fat, and more unsaturated fat and salt.

Not informed.

Stomby et al., [27]

Centesimal composition: not informed.

Included: fish, lean meat, eggs, nuts, fruits, vegetables and roots.

Excluded: not informed.

Centesimal composition: not informed.

Included: according to Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, low-fat dairy products and high-fiber products.

Food registration during 4 days (3 days a week and one weekend) performed two to 4 days after the start of intervention, monthly up to 6 months and then at nine, 12, 18 and 24 months.

Blomquist C, et al. 2017 [43]

Centesimal composition: not informed.

Included: lean meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, red fruits, nuts, avocados and oils.

Excluded: dairy products, cereals, added salt, refined fats and sugar.

Centesimal composition: not informed.

Included: according to Nordic Nutrition Recommendations with meat, fish, vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy products.

Excluded: not informed.

Estimated food records during 4 days at baseline, 6 months and 24 months.

Blomquist C, et al. 2018 [44]

Centesimal composition: Not informed.

Included: lean meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, avocado, rapeseed oil and olive oil.

Excluded: dairy, cereal, salt, refined fat and refined sugar.

Centesimal composition: Not informed.

Included: according to Nordic Nutrition Recommendations with meat, fish, vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy products.

Excluded: not informed.

Not informed.