A Beginners Guide to the Paleo Diet

The Paleo Diet has a common misconception of constant meat-eating like a Caveman. In reality, the Caveman era represents our ideal choices of eating natural foods that won't ruin our metabolic, immune and digestive systems. Check out a few common myths (answers are at the end) before you get started learning about the paleo diet.

1.    TRUE OR FALSE: Paleo involves eating grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free foods

2.    TRUE OR FALSE: You can’t eat sweets when eating Paleo

3.    TRUE OR FALSE: Paleo is a strict diet that requires a lot of work

PALEO 101

The foundation of eating paleo is built on the premise that we aren’t genetically designed to digest the modern grains, dairy products, sugars, legumes and heavily processed foods  that are so abundant today. Have we evolved to handle the “modern” agricultural diet, including the engineered and/or highly processed foods that have become so popular over the last several decades? Finding solutions to reducing highly processed foods not only introduces healthy eating habits, it also helps us feel better energetically. Eating Paleo can help reduce consumption of highly processed foods by connecting you to the foods that not only provide nutritional value, but foods that taste delicious too!

The Benefits of Eating Like a Caveman

Many people find they ‘naturally’ lose weight when they shift to a primarily Paleo eating style. This is a nice side benefit, however there are wonderful long-term benefits like:

•       Improved Heart Health - eating lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

•       Improved Digestion - by eliminating grains you may reduce digestive issues, like gas and bloating. The best way to see if grains are the culprits is to get rid of them altogether to see if your digestion improve

•       Maximum Immune System - many see the reduction of allergies and improved immunity. The Paleo diet is naturally rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, while also gluten and lactose-free. This combination decreases inflammation and intolerances, allowing the body to heal and build strong immunity. 

Staying Committed Long-Term

Many people ask if eating only Paleo-approved foods is required to receive the full health benefits. The answer is simple, do what will be sustainable and work for you long-term. This means being "partially paleo," choosing better-for-you foods that might not be deemed paleo, but are healthy, whole foods and packaged foods made with real food ingredients. Sprouted grains, for example, have become a popular alternative for breads, tortillas, and chips that may not be considered 100% paleo, but have valuable nutrients and healthier than heavily processed alternatives

Next Steps

If you find the basics of Paleo interesting, there are a lot of great sources where you can learn more. It is easy to get started. You don't need to prep or significantly change your lifestyle. The key is to search out foods that your body was meant to eat and avoid the high processed, modern agricultural products that are so abundant. So make sure you are surrounded by good options, especially when you are on the go. At Caveman Foods we are dedicated to helping you make healthy choices through accessible paleo snacks on-the-go.

ANSWERS TO MINI QUIZ

#1 TRUE. Paleo eating supports individuals sensitive to grains, soy, dairy, and gluten. There are no set rules to eating Paleo or Paleo-friendly, you ultimately decide which inflammatory foods are not for you.

#2 FALSE. Your favorite sweets or desserts can be modified to include paleo ingredients like honey, dates, and dairy-free milks. In moderation we can enjoy paleo-approved fruits, snacks, ingredients that help us stay in control over the amount of sugar we consume.

#3 FALSE. Eating Paleo can be customized for your needs and love for certain foods, download our meal plan to learn some easy recipes to get you started.