Paleo Diet…What Do You Think?

The Paleo Diet, also known as the Caveman Diet has been a controversial topic since it started gaining in popularity. Much like the Keto Diet, it eliminates whole food groups, possibly leading to some nutrient deficiencies.

The premise of the Paleo Diet is that we should be eating the way our Paleolithic ancestors did as hunter-gatherers and we should eliminate any foods that came about as a result of the development of agriculture. In other words, if the source is from farming or from industry, like dairy, beans, coffee and processed foods, they should not be consumed. Of course, any diet that wants you to eliminate processed foods that have little to no nutritional value, is a step in the right direction, in my humble opinion.

The trouble is, we are not the same as our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Evolution over the last 10,000+ years has changed our physiology to adapt to our changing world.

What can you eat on Paleo?

The foods you can eat on the Paleo Diet allow a little more variety than the Keto Diet, which focuses on fats and protein, disallowing almost all carbs. However, it still requires you to eliminate certain nutrient dense foods.

Foods that are allowed on Paleo:

• meat
• fish
• eggs
• vegetables
• nuts and seeds
• fruits and vegetables (not corn, it’s a grain)
• certain fats and oils
• certain sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup

Foods that are NOT allowed on Paleo:

• dairy
• grains
• legumes
• processed sugar
• processed foods

The Paleo Diet has some benefits but it also has some fairly serious drawbacks.

Pros

• eating a lot of fruits and vegetables supports a healthy lifestyle
• the fats consumed are healthy
• high protein supports heathy muscles and bones and manages blood sugar level
• no processed foods…need I say more?

Cons

• portion sizes are large
• eliminating food gross could lead to nutrient deficiencies
• no whole grains may lead to a lack of fiber consumption
• difficult for vegetarians because of the elimination of legumes which support a healthy gut
• we are not the same as our ancestors
• we don’t really know how much or how often our Paleolithic ancestors ate to know if we would even be following their way of life
• we don’t have access to the same types of foods available then as our food sources have also evolved

There are some good points and some bad points to this way of eating as you can see. Judge for yourself.

I believe the best dietary program is the one that gives you adequate nutrition with a reasonable caloric load and it’s the one that keeps you eating in a healthy manner. You get to decide which that is for you. We are all different and have different dietary needs. You know your body better than anyone so listen to the feedback it gives you and act accordingly.

My Story

Since June 2019, I decided to hold myself accountable for walking my talk. Several years ago, I was able to take off 135 pounds and essentially save my own life. I regained some of that weight in the last couple of years and I’m working my way back down. I’ve lost over 40 pounds since I began in June and have exercised nearly every day since August.

If you choose to join me on this journey, I hope I am able to impart some nutritional and lifestyle wisdom. Even though I may have gone off the rails temporarily I can still share some of my first hand experience as well as my acquired knowledge and training to help you make the right changes to live your best life.

Do You Want Help?

Would you like to have more energy, lose weight, sleep better, and balance your hormones? I am launching another  5 week Sugar Detox Program beginning January 28th.

This program is open to anyone who:

• would like to get control of their sugar cravings
• feel better
• have an abundance of energy
• and an overall increase in well-being.

Aren’t you tired of feeling bloated and lethargic?

If you continue to follow the path you’re on, where will it lead you in six months? a year? Isn’t it time to take a different approach?

What you have done in the past hasn’t worked or at least has not stuck. I can help you change that. Click here for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your challenges and your goals for the coming year and see if we’re a good fit. You have nothing to lose except those nasty cravings.

As a health coach, I work with women who are facing serious health challenges like heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes or who have been diagnosed as having a precursor to a serious health issue such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar. I help them make food and lifestyle changes so they can get healthy, live longer and enjoy a fuller, happier, more energetic life. If you would like to have a free consultation about the health challenges you have and the improvements you would like to see in your health, click here to schedule a no strings attached call.