The Paleo Diet; A Few Personal Mistakes

I tried to eat like a Caveman, and it did NOT go well! Here are a few reasons why:

Too Much Fruit

• On almost every list that is “Paleo-Approved,” there are apples, bananas, mangoes, oranges, grapes, and many other various types of fruits. That is because these foods could have been consumed back ~2.5 million years ago during the Paleolithic Era. Unfortunately, these fruits are high in carbohydrates, and when trying to complete a low-carb diet, they are not in the recipe for success. I found this out very quickly! The recommended portion of fruit is 1/2 to 1 serving per day, or, from a different approach, to consume fruits like blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries which are lower in calories and carbohydrates. Although fruit is allowed on the Paleo Diet, I had to quickly remind myself to eat in moderation!

Organic, Grass-Fed, Locally Sourced, and Extremely Stressed

• Come to find out, being overly concerned as to whether or not the eggs are free-range, whether the fish is wild-caught, or whether the vegetables are non-GMO, causes A LOT of stress! Although the Paleo Diet is cool and unique in paying attention to where the food actually came from, I found myself spending too much time researching the source and the farm, and not enough time preparing snacks and meals that would be low-carb and enjoyable to eat. I had to take a step back, remind myself of the intentions of the diet, and adjust accordingly. I had to start with the motto of “meat & vegetables, nuts & seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar,” and gradually introduce the attention to sourcing; not as a baseline.

Treat Yo’ Self… But Not TOO Much

• Bacon is Paleo! Avocados are Paleo! Almonds are Paleo! BUT, turns out, eating 10 pieces of bacon, a whole avocado and 50 almonds did not make me feel too great :) There are some really great foods that are super tasty, easy to prepare, and Paleo-Approved, but as with almost every diet, everything should be consumed in balance.

Enjoy your Sunday Snacks!