I’m Going Paleo

So for those of you who have not heard of the Paleo diet, it is a diet that is based off of the diet that our hunter-gatherer Stone Age ancestors ate. The paleo movement was started by Dr. Loren Cordain, who is one of the world’s leading experts on the natural human diet. His book The Paleo Diet Revised: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat shares all the details and research that explain why our bodies are designed to eat this way.

The paleo diet is outlined by 7 simple rules:

1. Increase protein intake
2. Lower carb intake and lower glycemic index
3. Increase fiber intake
4. Moderately increase fat intake dominated by monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with a balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fats
5. Higher potassium and lower sodium intake
6. Eat alkaline foods that balance dietary acid
7. Increase vitamin, mineral, antioxidant, and plant phytochemicals through healthy diet

So what should you eat in order to follow these seven rules? You should eat grass-fed meats, seafood, fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, nuts/seeds, and healthy oils like olive, walnut, flaxseed, macadamia, avocado, and coconut oil. And what shouldn’t you eat? Do not eat grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugar, potatoes, processed foods, added salt, or refined vegetable oils. It’s that simple! These unhealthful foods cause inflammation in the body and leads to conditions like diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease.

Ever since starting this lifestyle (just over a week ago) , I can definitely say I see the health benefits showing on the outside! My acne, that I have never been able to clear up completely, is almost non-existent. Sure, I still have some dark spots from old blemishes, but all the painful bumps are completely gone. I have had no heart palpitations, I feel happier, and as my boyfriend pointed out, my eyes appear brighter. And this diet has actually been easy for me to stick to. I was a serious carb addict before going paleo, and I’m not gonna lie, I slipped a piece of pita bread when eating out a couple times at my favorite Lebanese restaurant, but all the added protein to my diet has kept me so full and satisfied that I don’t even miss eating grains. If you think you can’t live without a slice of bread during a meal, don’t worry, there are plenty of paleo bread recipes out there. I even made some paleo pumpkin pancakes the other morning, and they actually tasted like real pumpkin pancakes! I have not touched any dairy at all since starting, and my irritable stomach has also calmed down.

I have been so inspired by how much sense this diet makes, that I will be starting an additional blog soon dedicated to following my progress on the paleo diet. I will post more details soon so that you can follow me on my paleo journey and get motivated to try it out yourself!