There is a lot of talk about the paleo diet these days, but many people assume that the paleo diet is the equivalent to the “caveman diet” which involves eating raw meat. The paleo diet is much healthier than that. The paleo diet involves eating clean, unprocessed foods in their most natural state so that foods don’t lose their greatest nutrients. If you have been looking for a diet change that focuses on clean eating with some animal proteins, the paleo diet is for you.
The paleo diet is very allergen-friendly. If you suffer from wheat, dairy, or grain allergies, the paleo diet is an easy diet for you to follow. The paleo diet typically restricts all grains, including wheat and rice, and it also excludes legumes including peanuts. Almond or cashew butters are excellent substitutes to peanut butter. People on the paleo diet should also eliminate dairy, refined sugars, potatoes, processed foods, refined vegetable oils, and salt.
If you eat a lot of cereals, oats, or rice, it may seem like there is nothing left to eat! However, people following the paleo diet find that you can do a whole lot more than you’d think with nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruits. The paleo diet also allows grass-produced meats, fish and seafood, cage-free eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, plus healthy oils such as olive, avocado, flax, or coconut.
People on the paleo diet will generally be healthier due to the large amounts of fruits and vegetables they will be consuming. You also receive more fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, unsaturated fat, and less saturated fat and sodium.
Every person is different, so you may find it beneficial to eat as paleo as possible for part of the week while enjoying healthy grains one or two times during the week. During any change in diet, it is important to keep a food journal so you can track any changes that you may experience. It is the best way to tell if a new diet is right for you.
A new diet is never easy. Thankfully, there are plenty of blogs out there to help you during the difficult transition from one diet to another. Some great blogs for paleo recipes are Against All Grain, Mark’s Daily Apple, and Everyday Paleo.
If you’re looking to lose weight or want feel better overall, consider what chiropractic care can do for you. Chiropractic care isn’t just about neck and back pain, and our chiropractors at Premier Health can offer guidance and support as you transition to healthier eating. Contact us today and see what chiropractic care can do for you!