What is Paleo?

So, it just dawned on me that some people may not know exactly what the Paleo/Primal eating style entails. I have decided to refer to it as an "eating style" because I hate the word diet. Paleo eating demonstrates a return to the foods that we, as human-beings, have been biologically primed to ingest for thousands of years. Here is the list of things I do not eat:

Artificial sugars (Good-bye Diet Pepsi and aspartame-laced yogurt)
Legumes (After years of relying on beans and peanuts for protein, I have found that I am no longer bloated)
Dairy products (I thought this would be the hardest part--I was Chobani's #1 Fan--but coconut milk is great!)

Corn or Corn products

Gluten (Wheat, Rye, Barley)
Rice
Soy
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (Duh.)
White potatoes (I will treat myself with a few bites, or a couple of fries...I just try to limit the glycemic crack that is the white potato).

Sure, there are a few more things, but for now, this is a good start.

Honestly, it sounds like a lot, but for the first time in my life I do not have stomach aches every day. I do not wake up puffy, bloaty (yes, that is a word in my world), and uncomfortable. I have energy! I feel WELL! It is awesome.

Here are the list of things I get to eat, enjoy, and thrive off of:

Eggs

Vegetables (any and all!)

Fruit (My favorites are jazz apples, strawberries, and tomatoes)

Lean, grass-fed meat

Free Range poultry

Seafood (I actually am deathly allergic, but other Paleo's love the fishies)
Almonds, Cashews, Pecans, Pistachios, Hazelnuts (Almonds/Almond butter are my favorite)
Coconut! (Coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut butter, coconut flakes, etc!)

Avocados/Olives/Olive Oil 

Sweet Potatoes (For post-workout fueling, children, and runners :) )

In transitioning from vegetarianism to a Paleo style of eating, I started with lots of veggies, avocados, and fruits. I slowly added chicken and lean meats. It was not a terrifically challenging adjustment because I LOVE vegetables and avocados. Also, in eating humanely raised meat/poultry, I know that these animals were treated well. Plus, I get to support my local farms! Once I added meat back into my diet I was flabbergasted at my level of satiation. I am never hungry/unsatisfied. Long term Paleo peeps always mention how it is almost impossible to overeat on with this "eating style" and it is so true. I have been in many a "carb-comas" in my life--I have never eaten myself into a veggie or meat coma.

Honestly, this book has helped me SO much:

Source

Sarah Fragoso knows what she is talking about! She discusses the ins and outs of eating Paleo and has so many yummy recipes. AND SHE HAS PICTURES OF EVERY RECIPE!!!!! That is easily my favorite part! :)

I actually heard about Paleo/Primal eating from the podcast that Sarah participates in with Chrissy Gower, and Dain Sandoval. Paleo Talk is not only funny, but incredibly helpful. My favorite aspect of this podcast is that they demonstrate how this is a STYLE of eating. It is not all or nothing. It is not about restriction and deprivation. It is about filling your body with nutrients!


Please, let me know if you have any questions!