What is Paleo? Long Post, but all about it!

The Caveman Diet

What is it?
        I know, I know…another diet! However, this is not a diet, it is a lifestyle change. A change that your body and mind will thank you for. This is a choice to eat only healthy, unprocessed foods. Basically, if a caveman did not have the choice to eat it, neither do you. The fact is, that 400 calories of Doritos does not impact your body in the same way that 400 calories of high quality vegetables and proteins would. By making the choice to eat only things that you might be able to “hunt or gather,” you are making a choice to regulate your body, wake up with more energy, keep insulin and cholesterol levels in check, and as a result of all this….LOSE WEIGHT!

The whole lifestyle is based on genetics. You see, a long time ago, cavemen could not go to the store and buy Oreos and “healthy” freezer dinners. They were only able to eat what they could hunt or gather. Today’ on the go lifestyle makes that hard, but think about it, you don’t have to hunt anything! You just have to have the willpower, that when you do decide to “gather” at your local market or organic store, to stay to the outside and not venture into the tempting aisle. Cavemen and women were tall, lean, muscular and athletic. Now, our average human being is overweight, out of shape, and stressed out! 

Well, what happened? Agriculture happened! Think about it this way, if you take 100% of human history, 99.5% of that time was spent developing out bodies and genetics to hunt and gather the food we would eat. The last .5% of our history involves farming. The problem with this is, our bodies have not adjusted to eating the grains that we are consuming. They cannot be digested properly in the body. So instead of filling up on vegetable, meats, nuts, and proteins, we eat our allotted “6-11 servings” that the government tells us we should eat, and just assume it’s healthy for us…..well think again!

Well, if I can’t eat grains like breads and pasta, where am I going to get my energy from you might ask. I can tell you that this is one of the best things about this lifestyle. Because your body is not taking in all of that glucose (that your body doesn’t know what to do with anyway), guess what the first thing it burs off is? You guessed it….FAT! You will still have carbohydrates in your diet, but they will come from vegetable, fruits and some other delicious food items.

So what can I eat as a Cave-Wo-Man?
 If you stick with it, and have the willpower to eat the right kinds of foods, the great thing about this lifestyle, is you really don’t have to watch how much you eat! Moderation is the key to any diet. But in making healthier choices, you will be able to eat more, become full quicker, and not be left feeling hungry. 

Another great thing about this lifestyle is that it always works on your schedule. The myths about eating six times a day will boost your metabolism like crazy, or that you should always eat three square meals a day are just flat out wrong. Do you think cavemen had the choice? You eat when you are hungry and don’t eat when you aren’t, it’s as simple as that! Here are some of the foods that are staples of the Caveman diet: 

Meats: game, grass fed are best; try and stick with lean meats
Fish: the good fats, great for you, check with listing for possible mercury in farmed fish
Eggs: Loaded with omega-3’s; heart healthy
Oils: think natural; olive, coconut, or avocado oil
Vegetables: Eat as many as you want!
Fruits: If weight loss is the goal, eat them, but limit yourself, higher in natural sugars
Nuts: almonds, walnuts, cashews yeah!
Tubers: Sweet potatoes and yams

This sounds so hard! How do I get myself there?
 Nobody is perfect, and I would venture a guess that not one person (with the exception of the cavemen themselves) are 100% strict with this diet. If you need to gradually take steps, then do it. But don’t make excuses, you are doing this for you, for your families, and did I mention…for you! There will always be something that your coaches can help you with. For example, if you just can’t let go of your pasta, try spaghetti squash. Can’t let go of your mashed potatoes? Try mashed cauliflower. A bread lover? Try Ezekiel bread, which is a live grain. Here is a list of things you should do to help you get to your goal of eating like a true cave-wo-man:

It’s very hard at first, try the 80% rule
 If you’re tempted get it out of your house!
 Allow yourself “little” slips
 Keep reminders around for why you are making the choice
 Stay to the outside of the grocery store
 Ask others for help, especially us (use the blog!)

What are the benefits to eating like a cave-wo-man?
 There are so many benefits to eating a “Paleo” lifetsyle. You will be eating unprocessed foods which will naturally improve so many things in your normal life, by just eating right. The lifestyle change will bring results. Some noticeable right away, some may take time, and others may only be felt and not seen at all. Here are some of the things you can look forward to through choosing the Caveman lifestyle.

Weight loss
 No counting calories, carbs, etc
 Eat when you want
 Effective in reducing blood pressure
 Healthier cholesterol levels
 Reduces bloat
 Unprocessed, filling foods
 Natural energy levels raised
 Keeps insulin levels in check (Diabetes)
 Healthier skin
 Many More!


Of course, if you have questions, just ask me, Kerri, Jason, or Karen. Let others know on the blog how you feel about the new lifestyle you are about to embark upon. Struggles you may have, and things you love about it. The more you share, the more we learn!