Whether you want to eat healthily or lose weight, the paleo diet will be instrumental if consumed properly. Of course, if you’re consuming paleo diet for weight loss, it will be essential to include exercises in your routine.
People do not usually have the full picture before starting on this diet.
Here are seven things to know before starting on a paleo diet:
1. You Will Want to Transition Slowly
Any diet that eradicates common foods is hard to get right into. Coffee, peanut butter, and bread are typical to most people, so abruptly removing them from the diet might give you insane cravings. Concentrate on making a few changes at a time to provide your body adjustment time. Start eradicating foods that are not so difficult to give up. After successfully removing them from the diet, move to the ones that are more difficult. For instance, you can start by eliminating quinoa, wheat, and oats and then proceed to corn and rice later on after successful eradication.
2. You will Not Always Lose Weight
Since the diet puts emphasis on carbohydrates in the form of vegetables and fruits, healthy fats, and lean proteins, you will possibly gain weight in the beginning. Healthy fats which are components of paleo contain a significant amount of calories which lead to weight gain. For example, a full avocado has 264 calories. Hence, consider this and the rest of your diet when consuming paleo diet for weight loss. According to research, weight-loss is closely related to behaviors and eating habits in the long-term as opposed to sticking to a particular diet. That is why many people who try paleo give up after a few weeks.
3. You Might Fall Deficient of Some Nutrients
The paleo has many fiber and proteins, but it lacks vitamin D and calcium due to the removal of dairy products. This can result in a weak immune system and bones in the long-run. It is, therefore, essential to consume a lot of paleo-approved sources of calcium such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, and almonds. Additionally, the body requires sufficient amounts of vitamin D for it to absorb calcium properly. Therefore, if you are on a paleo diet, consume mushrooms and fatty fish which are paleo-approved sources. If you are devoid of these options together with sufficient sunlight, see a doctor for a test and some supplements.
4. You Will Get Repetitive Meals
Most people who consume paleo diet use few combining ingredients or recipes. Most of the times, you will be eating a plate of proteins and vegetables. Failure to challenge yourself with food varieties and cooking techniques will make your diet very dull. Boredom is the reason most people give up on a diet.
5. Don’t Be Alarmed About Consuming Too Much Protein
Protein helps your muscles grow and keeps your hunger in check. In paleo, you will be mostly consuming fish and lean meat which is nothing you should be worried about. As long as your kidney functions are okay, it is hard to overeat protein. According to research, you can eat a lot of proteins and experience little or no side effects. If you don’t exercise caution, you might neglect significant macronutrients such as carbs and fat. To make sure you eat a balanced diet, fuel up with vegetables or fruits as well as foods that have healthy fats such as nuts.
6. It’s Time-Consuming
Many people start a paleo diet knowing that they will spend more on groceries due to a lot of vegetables, organic fruits, and antibiotic-free and grass-fed meats. What people do not know is that paleo consumes a lot of your time. This lifestyle does not suit those who are addicted to take out. Some restaurants which advertise organic foods might not use paleo-friendly oils such as olive oil. Therefore, you will have to take a lot of time in food preparation, particularly dinner.
7. You Will Eat a Lot of Sweet Potatoes
Many people believe carbs to be an enemy of the body, but the human body needs carbs to produce energy. The problem is not the carbs, it’s the sources of the carbs. Since you need the energy, you cannot avoid carbs, but it is essential to get them from the right sources. The carbs you should be eating contain fiber which helps in digestion of food, keeping you full and regulating your insulin. Ice cream is a carb that lacks in fiber but an unpeeled apple is a carb full of soluble fiber. Avoid processed carbohydrates because most of them are lacking in fiber. These include cakes, cookies, soda, and more. Focus on vegetables and fruits as they are healthy carbs; sweet potatoes are one of the most delicious healthy carbs.
Conclusion
If you are about to start on paleo, then make sure you transition slowly and note that you will not always lose weight, you might fall deficient of some nutrients, you will consume a lot of proteins, it consumes a lot of time, the meals are repetitive, and you will eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
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