Paleo diet, huh? I could sense the mockery coming. When a diet becomes a hot topic in LA, you need to be ready to defend your stance, especially if you write about medical conditions and diseases. The skepticism I faced included comments like:
– Paleo is just the latest fad diet, now that Veganism is less trendy.
– Hardcore Paleo followers act like they’re in a superior cult.
These criticisms missed the point of “Why Paleo.” When I tried bringing up the science behind it, I was often shut down with links to Instagram posts about Paleo-inspired baked goods.
Instead of arguing again about the scientific merits of Paleo, which no one seemed to remember, I realized we needed a simpler, more relatable approach.
### Can Trendy Be Healthy?
Yes, it can. Take those Instagrammed Paleo blogs. While they might make Paleo seem like just another fad, I actually believe that a bacon and coconut flour cupcake can be super healthy. Bacon contains good saturated fats, and coconut is full of monounsaturated fats, omega-3 and omega-6 ratios, medium-chain triglycerides, and fiber. Dark chocolate is also Paleo-friendly because it’s rich in good fats and has low sugar content.
With ingredients like stevia, xylitol, and lo han guo, you can make delicious and healthy treats. Sure, xylitol can cause gut issues for some, but it still works for many.
Paleo recipes have evolved from using nut flours to more accessible coconut flour. Instagrammers turning these ingredients into visually appealing food shouldn’t be criticized but celebrated for making healthy food enticing.
### Why So Hardcore?
I never planned to go hardcore Paleo. For three years, I followed a diet of brown rice, legumes, veggies, and meats, all organic. Then, I faced relentless insomnia triggered by almond yogurt and found relief only after I stopped eating it. That was my “a-ha” moment.
### The Experiment and Results
I hypothesized that I might have an autoimmune disease reacting to “healthy” foods like almonds. So, I went 100% Paleo. The results were surprising. In just a month, my digestion improved, my body composition changed, I had more energy, and even my persistent belly fat began to melt away.
My daily diet now includes:
– **Breakfast:** Bacon, avocado, bulletproof coffee (coffee with coconut oil and ghee)
– **Lunch:** Salmon, avocado, decaf bulletproof coffee, apple
– **Dinner:** Beef or bison, avocado, leafy greens, apple, occasionally sweet potato
I didn’t become a hardcore believer because of ancestral eating arguments or extensive research. It was seeing and feeling the results that converted me.
### History of the Paleo Diet
The Paleo diet traces back to pre-agricultural times when humans ate what they could hunt or gather, like vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and grass-fed meat. It’s also known as the Hunter-gatherer diet, Caveman diet, or Stone Age diet.
### Essential Aspects of the Paleo Diet
The Paleo diet includes foods our ancestors might have eaten, excluding those that became common through farming such as grains, dairy, legumes, and processed foods. The idea is that modern agriculture has created a gap between our current diets and our genetics, which might lead to health issues.
### Diabetics and the Paleo Hype
There’s been hype around the Paleo diet’s benefits for type 2 diabetes, but caution is advised. According to the president of the Australian Diabetes Society, there have been only two small trials, each lasting no longer than 12 weeks, which isn’t enough to conclude its effectiveness. He suggests consulting registered dietitians and diabetes organizations before making dietary changes.
### How the Paleo Diet Works
The Paleo diet includes fish, lean meats, veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds with a focus on low-glycemic options. Despite some conflicts about what should be included, the diet emphasizes high protein, moderate carbs, and good fats.
### Permitted and Restricted Foods
– **Allowed:** Shellfish, fish, lean meats, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, olive oil, small amounts of honey.
– **Restricted:** Cereals, grains, dairy, refined sugars, coffee, alcohol, salt, refined vegetable oils, legumes.
### Expected Benefits
Though it’s challenging to follow, the Paleo diet can help with weight loss and improve general health by cutting out processed foods and carbohydrates. It’s known for its potential to enhance health by reducing risks of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.
### Potential Risks
However, cutting out entire food groups can lead to nutrient deficiencies, such as calcium and vitamin D from dairy. It’s essential to be cautious, particularly for those with existing health conditions like heart disease or type 2 diabetes. Consulting a healthcare professional is recommended.
### Conclusion
No one diet fits all, but trying it for yourself might be more convincing than any study. Forget the trends for a moment and see how you feel. You might find Paleo worth the hype or decide it’s not for you. Either way, the choice is yours.