Eating Paleo, the idea of eating foods that were available to people during the Paleolithic time period, is a current FAD that has gained some merit.  There was no farming and most people were hunters and gatherers.  Their diet consisted of whole foods, fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, seeds and herbs. The Paleolithic diet did Not consist of processed foods, grains, beans, dairy products, artificial sweeteners, refined sugars or vegetable oils.  Most of today’s modern ailments, obesity, diabetes and heart disease, have been linked to diet and exercise.  Paleo eating has been deemed a healthier eating choice.

Why is it a FAD?  Well most diets glamorize parts of their plan that looks like you lose weight and still get to eat desserts, bread or all the animal fat you’d like without any negative consequences.  The truth of the matter is just as a Vegan can eat rice and beans every day and be unhealthy so can someone who eats Paleo bacon and eggs every day.

Healthy food is the best quality foods.  If you eat beef, the cow that is raised eating grass all its life and wanders the field is healthier and better for you than the cow that eats GMO corn, stands in its own feces, gets pumped full of antibiotics or hormones and is ultimately toxic.  Similarly the cucumber that is grown in organic soil with numerous nutrients is healthier for you than the conventionally grown cucumber that has few ground nutrients is genetically modified and is sprayed with pesticides and herbicides that do not wash off.

Ask yourself, what is the healthiest version of this food I am consuming? Do a little research.  Ask that farmer at the farmers market if the chickens are free range or do they feed them corn?  Read the ingredients and run away if you see nitrates, high fructose corn syrup, Trans fats or anything you cannot pronounce.

Look for wild caught fish, organic free range poultry, grass fed and finished meats, eat plenty of healthy fats like organic, raw and sprouted seeds and nuts and plenty organic fruits and vegetables.

Healthy Paleo Eating is when you are eliminating most sugar, grains, beans and dairy And choosing to include whole foods, healthy meats, healthy vegetables and eat three times as much vegetables as you do meat, like Dr. Stephs’s Plate Rule!

The hard part about dieting or choosing to not eat certain foods is being disciplined enough too not succumb to the See Food Diet.  The key to your success is being prepared, have a plan and have healthy snacks on hand! If you don’t let yourself get too hungry by snacking in between meals and always having some healthy snacks on hand then you are less likely to make poor eating choices while out.

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Items to keep handy while on the move:

Snacks:

• Nuts – Almonds, walnuts, cashews, and more.
• Dark chocolate – Look for 80% cacao or higher. Eat it in small amounts.
• Trail mix – Trail mix is a good pre-packaged option for a snack. Look out for the mixes which contain tons of sweets and/or peanuts (peanuts are not technically paleo).  Make your own is the best option.
• Beef jerky – Jerky can be a good snack as well, some brands also contain trace amounts of wheat and soy.  Store-bought jerky tends to have a high sugar content as well. A good alternative here is to make your own beef jerky.

Fruits (self-contained food):

• Apples
• Oranges (watch out for the high sugar content)
• Berries: Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries
• Bananas

Vegetables:

• Avocado
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Carrots
• Celery

Safe Places to Eat Out:

• The Grocery Store significantly improves your ability to eat paleo on the road. Some quality grocery stores have very nice lunch buffets.

Restaurant and Emergency Fast Food Tips to Stay Paleo:

• Watch out for salad dressings that are full of high fructose corn syrup and sugar.
• Eat Burgers without The Bun
• Skip anything deep fried and go for grilled or rotisserie meats.
• Certain fast food places have better quality and organic meats.
• Some places have Paleo Friendly on the menu.
• Ask for what you want like a steak and eggs bowl, egg white and turkey bowl, stuffed squash or Mediterranean turkey salad all with dressing options on the side.
• Check for spinach wraps.
• Burrito bowls can be ordered without rice and beans but double the meat and veggies.
• Ask for nut milks at smoothie shops.
• Skip the sodas, they have a lot of sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
• You might want to bring your own snacks to the movies!