Jeb Bush is hoping to reap the rewards of being nominated as the Republican candidate for President by going on the Paleo diet. Thus far, he’s lost an estimated 20 to 30 pounds on the caveman diet , according to Reuters .
With the backing of those who supported him when he was the Governor of Florida, Jeb decided to go on the Paleo diet to enhance his appearance. That means that he’s emphasizing lean protein, fresh vegetables, and fruit while eliminating all processed foods, sugar, grains, and dairy.
Jeb’s son George P. Bush persuaded his father to consider the caveman way, revealed a source. And he’s not alone in advising presidential candidates to cut carbs to win a race. Slim is in when it comes to politics, say the experts who contend that weight loss equates to an energy boost in voters’ minds.
When ex-Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee tried to earn the Republican nod in 2008, he shed 100 pounds. Also highly publicized was New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s weight loss surgery, which has resulted in a slow but steady weight loss.
So, what do Jeb’s pals think of his Paleo plan?
“Like a lot of us, Jeb has struggled with his weight at times. I’m slightly irritated that I seem to have found every pound he’s lost,” admitted Ana Navarro, a strategist for the Republicans.
However, the Paleo diet remains controversial.
“It’s just a fad, there’s no magic to it,” scoffed diet expert Dr. Christopher Ochner. “If you called it something else and just ate more lean protein and fresh fruits you would lose weight.”
But Paleo diet guru Loren Cordain views it as a healthy lifestyle.
“More power to him,” praised Loren in learning about Jeb’s decision. “Paleo is all about health and well being for all of us.”
However, it’s not always easy following any type of diet while running for an office. With state fairs, pizza vendors, and doughnut shops at every stop, Bush may be tempted to stray from the caveman way.
“When you go to a diner or a coffee shop, you’d be surprised how often patrons will offer you a doughnut, a piece of pie, something that is deep-fried, has sugar on it,” admitted political expert Kevin Madden. “At the Iowa State Fair, everything is deep-fried and on a stick. It’s hard to resist.”
However, Hillary Clinton has a secret weapon when it comes to her race, and that’s Dr. Mark Hyman, who has advised both Hillary and Bill, reported the New York Times .
Dr. Hyman recommends a low-carb diet that has some similarities to the Paleo lifestyle championed by Loren Cordain. For Bill, vetoing his vegan plan and getting hooked by fish wasn’t easy at first, admitted the former President. But now, both he and Hillary are strong advocates of cutting carbs while boosting protein such as salmon as well as healthy fats such as nuts. They also eat generous amounts of vegetables.
As the Inquisitr reported, actress Anne Hathaway also was formerly a vegan before she decided to try a low carb, high protein diet to boost her energy level. She made the decision to switch when she felt a lack of energy while filming Interstellar.
“I fell off so hard…. So you imagine what that’s like — what it’s like running through water and then you wear a 40-pound suit on top of it, so for me it was intense. I was facing my life, I don’t know how many days in a row of, like, garbanzo beans on a plate.”
[Photo By Scott Olson/Getty Images]