We all know what time of the year it is…YEP! It’s that dreadful mid-January where the New Years Resolution-ers start falling like fly’s trapped in the car on a hot afternoon.
Myself, I’m still going on strong with the help of my fiance. We decided (on Dec 27th, of all dates) to go PALEO! I know what you might be thinking, “…paleo, really, that’s pretty trendy.” On trend or not, we have seen some amazing all over health results and it has only been 20 days!
In case you are wondering, this is what Wiki says about a Paleo diet: “The paleolithic diet is a nutritional plan based on the presumed diet of Paleolithic humans. It is based on the premise that human genetics have scarcely changed since the dawn of agriculture, which marked the end of the Paleolithic era, around 15,000 years ago, and that modern humans are adapted to the Paleolithic diet.” Basically, you and I are pretty much the same human as who walked around here 15,000 years ago. If their diet was good enough to have them develop all of the technologies which lead to today, I don’t see why it can’t do me some good.
In reality, a non-paleo diet didn’t really start happening until the development of modern day wheat, fast food chains, frozen dinners, and MSG. Before then, we were mostly eating the old “meat and potatoes”.
For me, the Paleo Diet means that I don’t consume any wheat, gluten source, dairy, or processed foods. White potatoes become sweet potatoes, flour becomes almond meal and coconut flour, and bread…falls apart. I’ve been blessed with a spouse who loves to cook, so preparing meals and making extra for lunch has been a simple transition. If you are crunched for time, do what we do: on Sunday, we make a breakfast casserole, and maybe some pulled pork or roast a chicken or even make a soup for breakfast/lunch for the rest of the week. Pack some veggies, mixed (unsalted) nuts, make some kale chips and salsa and you’re pretty much set!
You will feel hungry. Even though you’ve eaten a full sized meal, without wheat you will probably still feel hungry. Seriously try to power through this; drink some tea, have some celery. Think about all you ate today, perhaps you should eat something more substantial. The reality of this is that wheat fills us up, it makes us feel bloated and can expand our stomachs. So even though you’ve eaten a plateful, your stomach isn’t being completely filled like it otherwise would have been. As your tummy shrinks back to regular size, you won’t feel so hungry after a meal. Myself, I probably eat more..but what I’m eating has nutritional value and is simple for my body to process.
So far, I have seen a lot of changes in my body. I would like to state that in no way did I start this diet to loose weight. Only to be more healthy, live a happier lifestyle and see what happens.
1. I sleep so much better! Sleep is deeper, longer and I wake up ready to jump out of bed and get my day started.
2. I have more energy; this is certainly related to more sleep, but healthier foods give us more energy and may not spike our blood sugars as much, so there is no crash.
3. My stomach is flatter. I haven’t added more workouts, in fact, I’m probably doing less. But the change in the shape of my abdomen has become flatter, tighter and doesn’t bulge when I eat.
4. Aches and pains are no longer present. I suffer from sciatica and have some knee and back issues…most of which are irritated from inflammation. Give up the wheat, less chances for inflammation from an outside source. My sciatica and back haven’t bothered me in 18 days and my knees only hurt when I do too many squats.
5. More focus. Probably related to better sleep as well, but I have been able to concentrate more and get more accomplished.
We only have this one body, RIGHT! So be good to it, and it will be good to you.
If you want to know more info from me or want to check out some of the recipe books or nutritional books I’ve been reading, let me know! I love sharing the knowledge I’ve accumulated.
So for now, I’m off to read at my favorite cafe and have some organic, fair-trade BLACK coffee!
Until Next Time,
Alyssa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleo_diet
alyssa white 