When I started CrossFit® in 2009, Paleo was the diet of choice.
Since then, CrossFit® & Paleo have broken up, but I will always have respect for the Paleo diet. Simply because… it works.
Part of the reason why CrossFit® moved away from the Paleolithic Diet (aka the Hunter-Gatherer Diet, Caveman Diet, etc.) is because when you’re competing as an athlete at the high intensity of CrossFit®, you need more carbs. And as long as you don’t have an auto-immune response to grains, you can get those carbs from high-quality grains.
But if you’re not pushing your body at competition level, and the strain of your life falls somewhere within the realm of average, I am a huge advocate for Paleo. It gives you everything your body needs, and nothing you don’t. For the average person, it’s the perfect diet* that supports weight loss and, more importantly, sustainable weight management.
*I hate to use the word “diet,” as it is easily associated with fads that come & go. When I say diet, what I mean more than anything is a lifestyle choice, and the way you fuel your body. I’ll never tell you or my clients to “go on a diet.”
Well that sounds great & all, but what do I eat?
According to Paleo Magazine’s definition on Paleo 101,
The Paleo diet advises the avoidance of grains, gluten, legumes, low-fat pasteurized and homogenized dairy, corn, soy and sugar. Instead, fill up on grass-fed meat from ruminants like cattle, bison, goats, lamb or wild game. Seek out pastured chicken, eggs and pork, and prioritize wild-caught fish and seafood whenever possible.
But what about the animals? I’m vegetarian/vegan.
Once you gravitate away from the fruits and vegetables that came directly from the earth, vegetarian & vegan foods are incredibly processed. And processed is bad.
There are countless articles from vegans and vegetarians who have made a transition to Paleo, and experienced a plethora of benefits (including Cain Credicott, the founder of Paleo Magazine).
I’m not going to get all preachy about why you should include meat in your diet, simply because one of my least favorite things is when people talk about their diet like it’s a religion. You might exclude meat from your diet because you think it’s better for the planet. Or maybe it’s health-related. Or maybe you don’t like the idea of killing animals.
Whatever it is, here are some of my favorite articles that breakdown this propaganda.
From Epic Provisions, read about Why Eating Properly Managed Animals Can Save the Planet.
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