Are you carrying too many extra pounds from the past 7 months and want to lose weight fast? It is almost year-end, who wants the reminder of COVID pounds hanging on them in 2021? Not me! and Not you! If you search the internet for the drop weight fast diets, you know there is too much information to process and it can be massively confusing. Too many experts with too many opinions and magic potions.
As your wellness coach, please let me help simplify a few things for you to help you get started, change, or get out of a rut. Let’s focus today on some details of one of the most popular “diets” which is the Paleo diet.
The Paleo diet also called the primal, caveman, or stone-age diet is based on principles we’ve assumed our ancient ancestors followed. It’s a hunter-gatherers type of diet. Although you’re not foraging for food, you’re eating a diet that consists of eating more berries, non-starchy vegetables, fruits, nuts, and healthy fats, such as coconut and olive oils.
Meat is held to a minimum, but when it is eaten, it’s advised to eat more grass-fed meat, pastured poultry, and wild-caught “healthier” types of fish. Most people don’t research and just eat a ton of red meat, sometimes even fatty meat (burgers, bacon, high-fat steak) and justify it as Paleo. —– That’s not it.
Key Point: Even though most experts agree that fad diets are not the answer for long-term change and health improvements, the Paleo diet may be one approach they can agree may help make some change or get you started. Your focus should always be making change for a lifestyle. Use the Paleo elements as a guide, a kick start, a system shock to get you started, then balance everything out. Including carbs. The essence of Paleo is that it’s more than just a diet—it’s a simpler way of eating—and one with many health benefits when followed correctly.
Some of those benefits include:
1. Increased Weight Loss
Due to the decrease in sugar, processed and refined foods, and starchy vegetables, you may experience weight loss on the Paleo diet. You may also see decreases in your body fat—especially in your belly area–from cutting out unhealthier carbs. Eliminating the items above are essential in any weight loss and general health plan.
2. Boosts Insulin Sensitivity
Eating a lot of carbs forces your body to produce, and release insulin, to use the sugar rising in your blood. However, your body may become resistant to insulin which makes it hard to manage blood sugar effectively. Since the Paleo diet reduces your carb intake, your body may become more sensitive to insulin, leading to better blood sugar control, and a reduced risk for metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes.
Lower Sugars = Lower Risk
3. More Energy
When you eat starchy or higher glycemic foods, you may find rapid increases in energy. But when insulin is released, you may experience a sharp crash when your blood sugar drops below baseline levels. This may leave you shaky, anxious, grumpy, and craving sugary foods. But you may not find this on the Paleo diet. The lower glycemic foods recommended on this diet may cause a slower increase in blood sugar, leading to more sustained energy.
4. Improved Heart Health
Your heart is extremely important as you get older. It’s recommended you keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels in check to prevent heart attacks or strokes from occurring. Since the Paleo diet stresses eating healthier fats, you may see positive changes in your cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. This could be protective in nature when it comes to your heart.
The Paleo diet may be a simpler way of eating and holds many positive benefits when it comes to your health. It may improve your heart health, boost energy and weight loss, and increase insulin sensitivity, which is important for controlling your blood sugar levels. It may not be a perfect solution, but this simpler way of eating may add benefits when you need it the most.
Remember your goal is to create lasting eating habits that support your lifestyle as a balance.
