Are you dissatisfied with your current diet and are thinking about trying something new? Before signing up for anything, it’s always a smart idea to know what you’re getting into. If you’re interested in trying out the ancient paleo diet, then you’ve come to the right place. The low-carb paleo diet is roughly based on how humans ate during the Paleolithic era and offers a way to eat in a similar manner today.
Therefore, there is a strong emphasis on foods rich in protein and fat, such as meats, eggs, nuts, and seeds, as well as non-starchy vegetables and fruits, which, theoretically, could have been scavenged or hunted way back then.
According to the paleo credo, foods that require cultivation or processing should be avoided if a person wishes to follow the paleo way of life. Simply put, that means legumes, starchy vegetables, grains, dairy products, and anything with preservatives or added sugars are off the table.
A paleo diet is based on the idea that Western diets contribute to the development of chronic diseases, like obesity, heart disease, and cancer. These diseases have been on the rise for the last few decades.
To learn more about the paleo diet, keep reading below.
The Perks of Paleo
There are many benefits to eating a paleo diet. These include reducing inflammation, improving workouts, increasing energy, assisting with weight loss, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and even reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Western diets, on the other hand, are known to be acidic and can lead to many health problems.
Contrary to the Western diet, the paleo diet helps prevent rather than promote these chronic illnesses. Throughout history, hunter-gatherer societies have been shown to be virtually free of these “diseases of civilization.”
However, the benefits of the paleo diet reach beyond preventing illness. When we eat the foods our bodies were designed to eat, our bodies function optimally—meaning we have better skin, hair, and nails, less nasal congestion, less brain fog, and more energy.
The other advantages of paleo include the emphasis on whole foods, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. In addition, it also reduces the consumption of processed foods, sugar, and salt in the diet. Many people prefer to choose grass-fed meats, pastured eggs, and organic produce while following a paleo diet.
What You Should Eat on Paleo
The following paleo guidelines may seem familiar and healthy to those trying to eat a more well-rounded diet. Here is a list of non-exclusive foods you can eat if you’re following a paleo diet:
- Meat: Beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, pork, etc.
- Fish and seafood: Salmon, trout, haddock, shrimp, shellfish, etc. (choose wild-caught if possible).
- Vegetables: Broccoli, kale, peppers, onions, carrots, tomatoes, etc.
- Fruit: Apples, bananas, oranges, pears, avocados, strawberries, blueberries, and more.
- Eggs: Free-range, pastured, or omega-3 enriched.
- Nuts and seeds: Almonds, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, and walnuts.
- Healthy fats and oils: Olive, walnut, flaxseed, macadamia, avocado, and coconut.
- Salt and spices: Sea salt, garlic, turmeric, rosemary, etc.
The paleo diet also advocates cutting out grains, dairy products, and legumes, which has caused controversy among scientists. As a matter of fact, despite what paleo advocates claim, these foods are healthy, rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, and are an excellent source of energy.
With that said, there are now several modified versions of the paleo diet. Some of them allow a few modern foods, such as grass-fed butter and gluten-free grains like rice. Many people now think of paleo as a template to base your diet on, not necessarily a strict set of rules you must follow.
Listed below are some of the foods that you should avoid when following a paleo diet:
- Grains: Breads, pastas, wheat, spelt, rye, barley, etc.
- Legumes: Beans, lentils, and many more.
- Dairy: Most dairy, especially low-fat dairy (some versions of paleo include full-fat dairy, like butter and cheese).
- Vegetable oils: Soybean oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, and others.
- Processed foods: Everything labelled “diet” or “low fat” or if it has additives, including artificial meal replacements.
- Artificial sweeteners: Aspartame, sucralose, cyclamates, saccharin, and acesulfame potassium (use natural sweeteners instead).
Here’s a simple paleo guideline: If it appears to have been made in a factory, do not eat it.
Prepared Meal Delivery for Your Paleo Diet
Are you looking to try the paleo diet to see if it is right for you? As soon as you have a paleo meal delivery system in place, you can quickly and conveniently learn what qualifies as a paleo recipe or meal. With Citizens Table’s delicious top-rated meal delivery service, that kind of guesswork is removed from the equation.
The convenience that comes from subscribing to a prepared meal delivery can make your everyday life easier and more convenient. You will be able to spend less time planning recipes, grocery shopping, and cooking.
Whether you are interested in trying the paleo diet for the first time or any other new diet, you should talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian beforehand to make sure the meal plan is suitable for your health.
Wouldn’t it be convenient if you could have a caveman diet delivered right to your modern doorstep? With our paleo-friendly meals, you can. For more information, call Citizens Table at 604-330-0708 or contact us online.
