The paleo diet, also known as the "caveman diet," is a popular dietary approach that aims to mimic the eating habits of our ancestors during the Paleolithic era. This means consuming whole, unprocessed foods and avoiding modern-day processed and refined foods. The paleo diet has gained popularity in recent years due to its purported health benefits and potential for weight loss. In this blog, we'll explore the rules of eating on a paleo diet, any differences by gender, the pros and cons of eating a paleo diet, and provide 5 tips to help a person eating on a paleo diet, along with 3 quick and easy meal prep recipes. Finally, we'll recommend whole body fuel options for those who prefer to leave the macro and portion control decisions to culinary experts.

Rules of Eating on a Paleo Diet

The paleo diet emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods, with a focus on meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. The rules of eating on a paleo diet include:

• Eat whole, unprocessed foods: The paleo diet emphasizes consuming whole, unprocessed foods, including grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, organic vegetables and fruits, nuts, and seeds. Processed foods and refined sugars should be avoided.

• Avoid grains: Grains, including wheat, rice, and corn, are not allowed on the paleo diet. This is because grains were not part of our ancestor's diet during the Paleolithic era.

• Say no to dairy: Dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yogurt, are not allowed on the paleo diet. This is because dairy products were not consumed by our ancestors during the Paleolithic era.

• Stay away from legumes: Legumes, including beans, lentils, and peanuts, are not allowed on the paleo diet. This is because legumes contain anti-nutrients that can interfere with nutrient absorption.

• Say yes to healthy fats: The paleo diet emphasizes consuming healthy fats, including olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, and nuts.

• Focus on high-quality protein: The paleo diet emphasizes consuming high-quality protein sources, including grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, and organic poultry.

Differences by Gender

There are no significant differences in the rules of eating on a paleo diet by gender. However, it is important to note that men may require more calories and protein than women due to their higher muscle mass and testosterone levels.

Pros and Cons of Eating a Paleo Diet

Pros:

• Weight loss: The paleo diet emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods and restricts processed and refined foods, which can lead to weight loss.

• Improved blood sugar control: The paleo diet emphasizes low-glycemic foods, which can improve blood sugar control.

• Reduced inflammation: The paleo diet emphasizes consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods, which can reduce inflammation in the body.

• Increased nutrient intake: The paleo diet emphasizes consuming nutrient-dense foods, which can increase nutrient intake.

Cons:

• Restrictive: The paleo diet can be restrictive, as it eliminates grains, legumes, and dairy, which can make it difficult to follow long-term.

• Expensive: The paleo diet emphasizes consuming high-quality meats and organic produce, which can be expensive.

• Nutrient deficiencies: The paleo diet eliminates certain food groups, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies if not carefully planned.

5 Tips to Help a Person Eating on a Paleo Diet

• Plan meals ahead of time: Planning meals ahead of time can help ensure that a person following a paleo diet has access to paleo-friendly foods throughout the day.
• Focus on nutrient-dense foods: The paleo diet emphasizes consuming nutrient-dense foods, which can help meet nutrient needs and reduce the risk of nutrient deficiencies. Focus on incorporating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, quality sources of protein, and healthy fats into meals and snacks.
• Experiment with new recipes: Experimenting with new paleo-friendly recipes can help keep meals interesting and prevent boredom with the diet. There are many resources available for paleo-friendly recipes, including cookbooks, blogs, and social media.
• Make sure to get enough fiber: The paleo diet can sometimes be low in fiber, especially if a person is not consuming enough fruits and vegetables. Incorporating fiber-rich foods, such as chia seeds, flaxseeds, and cruciferous vegetables, can help meet fiber needs.
• Don't forget about hydration: Staying hydrated is important for overall health, and it's especially important when following a paleo diet, which can be low in hydration-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and consider incorporating hydrating foods like coconut water and bone broth into meals and snacks.

3 Quick and Easy Meal Prep Recipes for a Paleo Diet

Paleo Breakfast Bowl Paleo Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.

• Toss sweet potato, onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.

• Spread mixture on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, until sweet potato is tender.

• Crack eggs over the top of the sweet potato mixture and return to the oven for 5-7 minutes, until eggs are cooked to desired doneness.

• Serve immediately.

Paleo Beef Stir-Fry Paleo Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 large bell pepper, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over high heat.

• Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute.

• Add beef and cook until browned, 3-5 minutes.

• Add bell pepper, onion, and carrots and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

• Add coconut aminos and stir to combine.

• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Serve immediately.

Paleo Chicken Salad Paleo Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup paleo mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, combine chicken, celery, parsley, and walnuts.
• In a small bowl, whisk together paleo mayonnaise, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour mayonnaise mixture over the chicken mixture and stir to combine.
• Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve

Not Ready To Start On Your Own

If you prefer to leave the macro and portion control decisions to culinary experts, a meal delivery service like Whole Body Fuel could be a great option for you. They offer a variety of meal plans, including paleo-friendly options, that are designed to meet a range of dietary needs and preferences. Whole Body Fuel sources high-quality ingredients and prepares meals fresh, so you can feel good about what you're eating. Plus, the convenience of having meals delivered to your door can make sticking to a paleo diet easier and more enjoyable.