The Paleo diet (Founded by Loren Cordain) is the decision to eat only completely natural foods…
Nothing man made or processed. Lots of people relate to this as the ‘caveman’ diet because it’s the idea of only eating what would have been available to us in the past. The Paleo diet includes foods such as meat, fish, nuts, vegetables and seeds, although you can of course use these natural foods to create a huge range of mouth-watering meals and treats.
The problem that the majority of people have when it comes to losing weight, is that they choose a diet and a start day, and then try to completely change their eating habits all at once, and think that if they do this for a while until they are at the weight they want to be, they’ll then go back to normal, but then what happens is that people only stick to the diet for a few days, then find it too much and start to cheat. Or, as I am all too familiar with, completely binge because they’ve built up so many cravings!
The great thing about the Paleo diet is that it doesn’t have to feel like a diet. Eat as much as you want, have bacon and eggs for breakfast and learn about new and interesting meals. This is why the Paleo diet is such a great pick, although you still have to do it right. The best thing to do is to simply start eliminating processed foods one at a time, and only choose a second once you are completely satisfied with not eating the first anymore. Depending on how much you eat something, it may even work well to start off with a certain amount of days without that food.
For example, taking bread out of your diet 4 or 5 days a week, more or less depending how often you eat it originally. Make sure it is an easy transition, and this means you are far more likely to stick to it and keep it as a life style change rather than reverting back because you are craving it too much.
Another great way to begin is to simply change the components of your meals. Use avocado instead of butter, honey instead of syrup, and butternut squash instead of spaghetti. You will find your body starts to feel a lot better and get a larger sense of wellness as you take away more and more and become healthier and healthier, and your body will reward you for it by both feeling and looking better. Along with cutting out certain items bit by bit, keep the Paleo diet in your head whenever you’re choosing a meal or snack.
Just remembering the Paleo rules (whether or not you stick by them each time) will help you choose healthier options, for example, choosing a bowl of nuts over a packet of crisps.
One important thing to do when you begin to incorporate Paleo into your everyday diet is to make sure you have the food available. Make sure you pick up things you fancy when shopping that work with the Paleo diet. Look on the web and search Paleo meals for ideas if you become un-inspired. If you’re worried about money, be clever with it, work your meals around items on deal, and choose frozen options for fruit and veg.
A great thing to do is choose your favourite meals, and look for a Paleo version to give a go. You may find you prefer it!
We spoke to a group of people that either stick to the Paleo diet quite strictly, or incorporate it into their lifestyle as much as possible.
Have a read below:
1.) What do you like best about the Paleo diet?
– “I think generally it’s just a good way to eat. Natural and no bad stuff is great. I’ve read labels on food for years and the amount of rubbish has got longer and longer.. This surely can’t be a good thing!”
– “It has made me more aware of what I am putting into my body and how different foods have varying impacts on not just my body but other aspects, such as sleep & moods.
– “What I like best about Paleo, is that all foods are natural and you are not drawn into buying specific diet foods. For example, diet clubs that make there own produce & then try and sell it to you.”
– “That I am doing the right thing! I poo pood it for years. But now understand why…”
– “I like the fact I can eat a cooked breakfast and it not be bad”
– “Easy really… makes you feel so much healthier! No bloating, stomach aches, etc. Also if you stick to it 100% strict it doesn’t take long to start seeing results in terms of fat loss.”
2.) Would you say it’s the easiest diet to stick to that you’ve tried so far?
– “No, unfortunately I find it really hard. As a mum of 4 (fussy) boys it’s often easier to have a bowl of cereal for my dinner after I’ve fed them. I’ll be good and stick with it all day, then ruin it all in the evening. Time and cost is a factor. And hormones… I’ve had years of trouble with hormones, sometimes I just need to give into them and eat bread!”
– “Yes, as I do not see it as a diet but a lifestyle. However it has taken a while to get to this point. I’m not a cook, in fact I hate cooking. I am more of a grab and go, but as the months have progressed, I have discovered more and more quick Paleo friendly meals.”
– “Never been on a diet in my life, have always eaten healthy. Its definitely NOT easy”
– “Planning your meals in advance is a must”
– “Simple answer is yes. However I don’t really see it as a diet but a lifestyle in which I don’t want to eat processed food. I think that’s key. I don’t look at it as I can’t have bread or I can’t have potatoes for example. I think of it as I don’t want them foods because they will make me feel rubbish and put on weight. You do need to have the right foods in the house, it’s easy if you have the food there. And I’ve found if you really want a ‘cheat’ meal or treat, have it. It satisfies you and makes you realise you don’t actually want it because it gives you a headache and makes you feel rough.
3.) Are you being a strict Paleo dieter for a certain amount of time or do you just incorporate it into your diet?
– “I could never go strict Paleo! I just do what I can. It makes me aware of what I’m eating so I (mostly) think before I eat… Don’t always work but it does some of the time.”
– “The first time I tried Paleo was for a ‘strongman’ event and I wanted to get into the lighter weight category for the competition. So I went strict for a month, yes I lost my weight, my body shape changed and I felt stronger, but the first week or so was torture! I would pace the room at night craving sugar! I have a very sweet tooth, I lived on candy, crisps and biscuits, I never prepared meals for myself, so this was probably more difficult for me than an average person. Now my body has adjusted I would not go back to living on sugar. Don’t get me wrong I sometimes have the odd
bit of chocolate but nothing like before.”
“I am not strict Paleo, never say I am, I just try hard! It is part of my everyday life.”
“I started strict until I got to the weight I wanted to be, then started to introduce a day off each week.”
“Again, don’t see it as a diet. I see it as a lifestyle. I will avoid eating processed foods for the rest of my life as much as i can. I think its sustainable for a lifetime.”
4.) Are there any new things you’ve tried since starting?
– “Favourite thing is Paelo cake, new thing would be green tea… Can’t say I’m 100% converted though”
– “Fav thing has got to be meat. You can eat as much of it as you like, including bacon. I have got very good at conjuring up health fry ups.”
– “I love Butternut squash with home made bolognaise sause.”
– “Favourite thing about the Paleo diet is how good you feel and how amazing the results are if you can stay strict. Paelo Twix is the best new food I have tried.”
5.) Have you noticed any benefits yet? And how quickly have you noticed benefits/results?
– “I’m not really following it closely enough to notice…”
– “Pre Paleo I suffered from a lot of tummy aches, tiredness, lack of energy, bloated tummy and even constipation. Since starting Paleo they have all gone. Also my fat percentage has decreased and body shape has changed dramatically but this is due to working out regularly.”
– “Have noticed a massive difference in my energy levels, and general well being. I noticed results within 3 weeks.”
– “I have lost just over a stone in 5 weeks and sleep a lot better than I did. The first 3 weeks I had no energy but this is coming back each day.”
– “I’m the lightest I’ve been, got the smaller waist size, chest size and lowest body fat % I’ve had since I was 15. But I’m still strong! Probably the strongest I’ve ever been…”
6.) Any tips for someone starting?
– “Cut out wheat first. That made the biggest difference to me… Then gradually cut out other non paleo things.”
– “Slowly cut out bad foods in your diet, I had a very bad experience whereby I went strict Paleo, then decided to binge on junk food and caused a very bad reaction in my body and became very ill.”
– “Don’t think about it, just do it. Do not go strict Paleo to start with, just ease into it. Don’t give up, have cheat days, enjoy them, and don’t feel bad about them, then go straight back in to it.”
– “Prepare a meal diary so you know what you are eating each day and don’t get caught out and resort to eating something that you wouldn’t have normally. Variety is what you need, if you like all foods there is no excuse.”
– “My advice would be to ease yourself in.
Weeks 1-2 cut all added sugar.
Weeks 2-4 Cut all white starchy carbs
Weeks 4-6 Cut all starchy carbs (Breads, pasta, rice, potato)
Weeks 6-8 Cut all dairy and non paleo foods that are left.
A lot of people will do a short time on paelo, e.g. a challenge for 4 weeks, but I think
it will be easier to sustain it as a lifestyle.”
