Why Paleo?

What foods are included in the Paleo Diet?

Paleo foods consist of lean meats, sweet potatoes, fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables, maple syrup*, honey*, coconut sugar*, molasses* and healthy fats. The most common fat sources we use and PNY are coconut oil, grapeseed oil and olive oil. The biggest thing that the paleo diet does is remove the gluten, dairy and processed sugar from foods, which are the most inflammatory and detrimental foods available! *While these are sugars, if they are 100%, they are not processed so this would be your processed sugar substitutions!

What makes the Paleo Diet different from any other diet?

Paleo isn’t just a diet, it can easily be turned into a lifestyle. The foods that you can eat are easily accessible. Most “diets” require you to go extreme, limiting many foods and having an excess of other foods. Those diets are usually not sustainable. Paleo allows you to have moderate amounts of many types of foods, giving you a great food selection at every meal.

What is the different between the Paleo Diet and the Keto Diet?

There is not much of a difference, in fact, it is a lot of the same type foods but the macro (protein, carbohydrate and fat) ratios are different. Where paleo gives you a moderate amount of macros across the board, keto tends to be lower in protein amount, higher in fat and very low carbohydrates. Typically, daily carbohydrate grams per day on the keto diet are 20 grams or less…this is typically obtained by eating from vegetables.

How fast can you lose weight on the Paleo Diet?

This is dependent on so many factos: your body, metabolism, age, hormones, health status, exercise type and intensity, the list goes on. Healthy weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. The slower it comes off, the likelihood that you will keep it off. Remember, you didn’t get to this point overnight, you will not fix it overnight. The great thing about paleo and weight loss though is that because you can eat such a wide variety of foods without limiting cravings, carbs, and certain foods, it is easier to sustain this lifestyle for an extended period of time….hopefully your entire life!

Is wine and liquor allowed in the Paleo Diet?

Bad news: technically no, it is processed and that is a limiting criteria with paleo. Good news: we teach balance. Most anything you read about paleo will tell you to follow a 70-80 vs. 30-20 rule. 70-80% of the foods you eat should be paleo. The additional 20-30% can be non-paleo, and that is left up to you and your lifestyle. While the paleo diet is amazing, there are foods that we either enjoy or are still nutritious that we would like to have. We like to teach that if you are going to consume alcohol, drink in moderation and be smart with your mixers. Using fresh squeezed juice, water, or mixers without any processed sugars.

What types of foods should I avoid on the Paleo Diet?

Even though we like to focus on all the foods you CAN eat, it is helpful to have the wrong foods laid out for you. Processed sugar and other foods (example: anything out of a package), gluten, dairy, alcohol, grains*. These foods are on this list for 1 main reason: your body has a very hard time breaking them down, which means they aren’t being utilized by your body either. Ever wonder why you have gas or a stomach ache after eating dairy or too much bread? *For some people without a grain sensitivity, these may be some of the foods that you allow yourself to eat on your 20-30% list. Things like quinoa, oatmeal, and Ezekial bread are incredibly nutritious and great sources of carbohydrate!

Is the Paleo Diet good for diabetics?

Because of the limited carbohydrates in the paleo diet and the sugars that are used that are low on the glycemic index, diabetics can thrive on paleo! While you still have to be cognoscente of your carb and sugar intake, the foods allowed do not cause drastic spikes in blood sugar that are followed with plummeting lows. Because we also teach that you should eat several small meals per day, that eating style will also help a diabetic have much more normal fluctuations in blood sugars that will be much easier to manage.

Is the Paleo Diet gluten free?

Gluten is basically the “glue” that binds bread products together. That is the most simple explanation that helps paint the picture of why people have such a hard time digesting it. Because flour and other products have become so over processed over the years, the gluten has become increasingly more difficult for people to handle. This is why there are so many people that notice that they have a gluten allergy (also known as Celiac’s disease) or even just a gluten sensitivity (giving people an upset stomach with varying ranges of pain). The paleo diet is both gluten and dairy free at all times because of the foods that are allowed. Flour is substituted most commonly with almond flour, coconut flour, tapioca flour. All of which are natural and do not contain any gluten.

Can I eat out while on the Paleo Diet?

Yes, you can eat out on Paleo, that what makes it so great! The easiest thing to remember is you can have meat and veggies, so sub your potatoes with extra vegetable or a side salad. To stay away from dairy, lean towards oil based dressing (vinaigrettes) and stay away from dishes that have “creamy” sauces. Creamy typically means it is made with excess butter and heavy cream. You can simply ask the establishment to leave the sauce off, or bring it on the side. More and more restaurants are catering to alternative lifestyles and there are some great gluten free options…just ask!

Should I take supplements while on the Paleo Diet?

This is really up to the person, their lifestyle, possibly their doctor or nutritionist. For most people, if you are eating a well rounded diet, you really do not need any supplements. A good multi-vitamin should be all you need, but that should be suggested by your physician. Also, as we age, we may need some other nutrients and vitamins, but check with your doctor to be sure. Your body should work with little to no issues. If you think that something is not right, check with your physician. And do not underestimate hormones, we recommend many of our clients to see a women or mens health specialist.

Should I be on the Paleo Diet while pregnant?

Because the foods allowed on the paleo diet are natural and easily digestible, there is nothing off limits to a pregnant woman! This is a great way to stay healthy during pregnancy when everything is changing. See more about this under the paleo diet health benefits question!

How can I learn more about the Paleo Diet?

There are so many great books that lay out the paleo diet for people. Start researching and finding out if it is right for you and your family. Amazon Prime Library is a great place to start, and many are free to “rent”. Be careful when getting on websites to research, many can be biased if they are selling or pushing a certain product or people.

What health benefits come with eating Paleo?

The Paleo diet has helped people with all kinds of acute and chronic illnesses: High blood pressure, diabetics, Cardiovascular disease, Crohn’s disease, Celiac’s disease, autoimmune disorders, allergies, sensitivities just to name the most common. Because you are consuming foods that are limited or without preservatives, processed ingredients, or even unknown ingredients, your body has a much easier time breaking them down. As our society leans more towards convenience, or foods have become increasingly more processed and filled with ingredients that our body finds as foreign. Not only is this a breeding ground for chronic illnesses, but inflammation, stomach discomfort, irritable bowel, joint pain and even headaches. Simply put: we have become unhealthy and obese as a society. Obesity is the biggest health problem that can lead to every one of the chronic illnesses listed above. One of the ways out of society’s obesity epidemic is eating more nutrient and natural foods paired with proper portions. This is most easily done using paleo guidelines for your meals. Get Started Here!