You might have heard of the much-lauded Paleo diet, but there are a few things beginners ought to know before trying it.
Here is a simple guide to what many call a life changing experience.
1. The Paleo Misconception
Firstly, it’s important to state that unlike the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet or other well-known weight-loss remedies, Paleo isn’t a diet and assuming it is, is probably one of the biggest misconception. A “diet” requires that you restrict and measure your food, however there are no such restriction on the Paleo diet- you can eat as much as you want.
2. What Paleo is
The aim of the Paleo diet is not to be able to squeeze into your swimsuit by summer and revert to your old habits after. Paleo is a lifestyle that endorses a certain, revolutionary way of eating modeled after the way our hunter-gatherer descendants of the Paleolithic era (about 2.5 million years ago up until about 10,000 years ago when agriculture and grain-based diets developed) ate: from frequency, to portions, to food choices.
It is based on the idea that we as humans haven’t changed at all genetically since then and that we should still be consuming the ancient diet of wild plants and animals that various hominid species habitually consumed during that era. An era, it is argued, where hunter-gatherers had none of the diseases that we use pharmacological medications to combat such cancer, infertility, obesity, hear disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and depression.
3. What Do You Eat?
Essentially, by eating Paleo, you’re eating a diet conducive to your digestive system and keeping the doctors and surgeons away. The Diet simply comprise plenty meat, fish, nuts, eggs, fruit, and vegetables. Easy, but make sure you shop at your local farmer’s market and avoid the aisles that are packed with things not on the diet such as: dairy products, vegetable oils, legumes, grains, excess sugar, and anything processed. Yip, Oreos and your kid’s favorite brand of artificially colored breakfast cereal just didn’t grow in the wild!
4. Why Try Paleo If you’re Vegan or Vegetarian Paleo might not be for you, but if you love bacon, it is. However, the benefits of Paleo is that you eat real food compared to the huge amounts of lab-created, synthetic ingredients we eat today. Be replacing processed foods with real foods, you eliminate unnecessary toxins and have a chance at leading a healthier, more balanced life.
Most people who begin the Paleo diet have noticed that beside having more energy, a clearer skin, improved sleep, Zen-like perceptual clarity, better mood and attitude, more muscle and amplified fitness, less depression and allergies, increased absorption of food nutrients, and a host of other benefits, they also lose weight and muscle much easier then ever before- definitely some food for thought!
