The concept of the Paleo diet is to replicate how our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate prior to the Agricultural Revolution that introduced cereal grains and the standard American diet (SAD). Paleo focuses on eating meats, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats. The diet restricts all grains, dairy, sugar and processed foods. What I really like about Paleo is that it’s not about what I can’t eat, it’s about what I want to eat and how great I feel when I do.
My first thought when I read about Paleo eating was, “What about my whole grains? How am I going to get enough fiber? And what about calcium?” Once you start loading up on healthy veggies, meats and fruits, you will get your fill of fiber! I also do allow some dairy in my diet but usually only heavy cream, grass-fed butter and small amounts of cheese from time to time. If you are concerned, you can always use a program that tracks your nutritional intake and you will quickly see how many nutrients you are now getting.
For carbohydrates, I get mine mostly from fruit and sweet potatoes. I thought I would miss my bread like crazy, but I have felt so good that I hardly think about it now. When I crave something sweet I usually reach for fruit or the darkest chocolate I can find (I love the 90% kind now). Of course I incorporate non-Paleo foods and meals into my diet, but my rule is 90% Paleo, 10% non-Paleo. This usually works really well.
I am not a nutritional scientist and do not claim to know everything about this diet, but I know what works for me and what has worked wonders for others.
I highly recommend you check out “The Paleo Diet” by Loren Corgain, Ph.D. and “The Paleo Solution” by Robb Wolf.
There are so many great resources out there that will guide you on what specific items you should and should not include in your diet. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact me here.
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