Paleo is an eating plan that has been around for some time now. However in the grand scheme of things it is still a relatively new eating plan to modern life.. It has gained popularity mainly because of its consistent and sustainable quality.
In fact the Paleo diet could be said to have been around for millenia as it is named after the Paleolithic era, which dates from approximately 2.5 million years ago. The basis of it is to eat in the way that our ancestors ate when they had to catch or find their own food. For this reason it is sometimes known as the hunter gatherer or caveman diet.
Eating Paleo is similar to other eating plans like low-carb diets or low glycemic, although it has a unique flavor, containing healthier ingredients. Some ingredients used in the Paleo diet are vegetables, meats, fruits, nuts, fish, eggs, dairy products, etc. There are even less obvious ingredients like lemons and walnuts, which add taste and are also beneficial.
The food groups that are limited include dairy products, legumes, grains, potatoes, other root vegetables, processed foods and refined sugars and fats. If you normally eat these foods you may have trouble changing to a Paleo eating plan.
There is evidence that if you can get through the first 3 weeks of eating a Paleo diet then you will embrace it for the long term.
You might want to check out this 21 day plan to give you help and guidance to get through those first 3 weeks. You will get daily emails and videos in a well structured plan. They say you could lose 11lb in that time.
The benefits of Paleo are not just weight loss. You may also notice in those first 3 weeks that you have more energy, are sleeping better and that your hair and skin have improved.
Know What You Are Eating
To follow this diet, you need to know the difference between low glycemic index food items and high glycemic index food items. This distinction will help you in developing healthy eating habits.
If you are like many people you may not know what it is that you are eating when you get a craving. follow the Paleo diet and you will soon learn. The problem with many eating plans is that they only aim to provide energy and sustain energy stores, without considering nutrition. With Paleo you will get good nutrition.
The most important thing about Paleo is that it takes a proactive approach to eating, nourishing your body while helping you to achieve weight loss. This gives you the chance to determine the right way to go.
Paleo is one of those eating plans that help you learn how to incorporate good food choices into your life. Once you have mastered the basic principles you can find recipes to suit your own taste.
Pick up a free cookbook here
One benefit of Paleo is that it does not have strict limits on eating. In fact, you are allowed to eat as much as you want of some foods provided you limit your intake of certain other foods.
Aside from dieting, Paleo should be implemented alongside exercising in moderation. Exercise will help strengthen your body and help in weight loss. It is also recommended you drink plenty of water which is sound advice whatever diet you choose. Another benefit of eating Paleo is that it teaches you how to make the right choices about what you eat.
Benefits Of A Paleo Eating Plan
The benefits of a Paleo diet are said to include
- Weight loss
- Improved glucose tolerance
- Better blood pressure control
- Lower triglycerides
- Better appetite management
- Better sleep quality
- Improvement in hair and skin
If your blood sugar levels are low, then your food can cause cravings for more food which can make you gain more weight.
Eating Paleo makes it easier for you to eat the right kind of healthy foods. You also need the correct ratio of different foods. Not all foods are the same. Some of them have different effects on your body and thus, your brain.
Unlike other diets, there is no set rule in Paleo as to how often you can eat. Nor is there a set number of grams per day. Also, this diet does not try to control or even limit calories. It focuses on healthy eating instead.
One of the disadvantages of Paleo is that it can be expensive. This is because in it’s purest form it concentrates on wild game, grass-fed animals and nuts. These are all expensive choices. Many of the limited foods like grains, potatoes and legumes are foods that you might normally fill out a meal with as they are cheap choices. This means a Paleo lifestyle is sometimes thought of as a diet for the well off.
From a health point of view it is a good choice. The paleo diet concentrates on vegetables, fruit and nuts which are all healthy choices. As such it is considered by many nutritionists to be a safe choice. If you are still searching for a diet that suits, you may find that Paleo is the eating plan you need in your life.
