Eating For The Rest of Your Life

The Paleo Diet For Beginners

by Jon Weaver

There are plenty of diets out there to choose from depending on your dietary needs, but what about one that has been around for thousands of years. A diet that your ancestors used - the Paleo diet. The Paleo diet is based on that of the cavemen during the Paleolithic era. Food wasn't manufactured, loaded with pesticides or brought to you through a fast food drive-thru. Food was hunted and gathered and natural. This is what the Paleo diet is based off of. See below for some helpful tips to begin the Paleo diet and a healthier lifestyle.

Clean Out Your Refrigerator And Pantry

  • ​Get rid of your dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt.
  • Higher carbohydrate vegetables such as corn, white potatoes and legumes should be thrown out.
  • Grain products as in pasta and rice will need to go as well.
  • Get rid of all processed foods, refined sugars and oils.
  • Alcohol is also not allowed.

What To Fill In Your Refrigerator And Pantry

  • Green vegetables, beets, cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms and peppers.
  • Fruits such as apples, berries and pears.
  • Fats like avocados, unrefined seed oils, nut oils and olive oils.
  • Protein and meat such as eggs, nuts, seeds, beef, pork and seafood.

Keep Snacks On Hand

  • Make up snacks ahead of time to keep you from cheating. Place nuts, berries or vegetables in small containers and have them on hand in case of a snack attack. 
  • When in the mood for something crunchy like chips, make chips out of sweet potato slices or kale. Dip them in guacamole for a special treat.
  • Dehydrate fruit when in the mood for something sweet.

Be Adventurous With Your Meals

The Paleo diet doesn't mean you can't ever have a casserole or spaghetti again. You just have to be more creative with your meals. Make spaghetti with squash as your noodles, or create a lasagna using zucchini slices instead. Use cauliflower to make a pizza crust for pizza night. Look for delicious Paleo recipes on Pinterest or on another site. Talk to other people you know on this diet and exchange recipes as well. If you can't eat gluten, look into some gluten free Paleo energy bars for your diet.

The Paleo diet will not only help you to lose weight, you will have a healthier lifestyle. This diet will give you a higher intake of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which are all good for your skin. You'll be eating foods higher in omega-3 and omega-6 fats and lower sodium foods, which are all heart-healthy. 

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