Now that we’ve finished the Whole30 (twice), it is time to start looking for something that may be a little more manageable for an extended period. The Whole30 doesn’t necessarily have to be a lifestyle. It can be a starting point to kick-start your metabolism and learn what intolerances you might have.
So what other diets are out there? Paleo, Keto, South Beach, and others. Which is best? I don’t know. I’ve been researching and will share what I have found so far. Paleo seems the most similar to Whole30, so I decided to start there. One of the big differences I’ve noticed is that the Paleo diet allows a few sweeteners (including honey and maple sugar) whereas the Whole30 doesn’t allow any sweeteners.
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Paleo for Beginners
Paleo for Beginners has sold more copies than any other Paleo cookbook. The reason might be that the word is out about how it helps you lose weight and feel good. It’s not a trendy diet, but one that takes us back to the days when we lived in caves.
Written by John Chatham, a best-selling health, and diet author, Paleo for Beginners is a diet plan designed to give you the energy and health you need to make positive lifestyle changes.
If you’re an avid carnivore, this may be the diet that works for you. You’ll be eating low, carbohydrate, high-protein meals. You’ll give up the processed foods that harm your health and increase the risk of diabetes, coronary disease, and hypertension.
Beginners to the Paleo style of dieting will be encouraged by the amount of energy they have. You’ll also be amazed that you won’t feel hungry during the first week of the plan. There’s a list of 145 foods that are best to consume on the Paleo plan – and a comprehensive list of foods you should avoid.
The recipes for meals are wonderfully diverse, healthy and hearty. You’ll have an extensive shopping guide that will lessen the time you have to spend figuring out what you’ll need.
What is Paleo?
Although the Paleo diet has been available for over forty years, it’s just become popular during the past few years. In the beginning, it was known as the Stone Age Diet. People were hesitant to try it because of the belief at the time that low-fat and low-calorie foods were the best choices.
There are various versions of the Paleo diet. All are different in how closely it follows the diet of our cave-dwelling ancestors. Paleo for Beginners teaches and advocates the nutritional parts of the Paleo diet, but the plan isn’t complicated or unrealistic for a modern-day existence.
Within the book, you’ll find out what the Paleo diet is all about. That’s essential for beginners to know. You’ll discover the positive benefits – digestive system health, immune system boost, and lack of cravings.
You’ll learn how to shop for food on the diet, plan your meals, and how to get the mindset to realize success. There’s even a helpful quiz to find out which type of cave-person you are.
Do you eat out most of the time? Like to focus on prepared foods with a few side dishes? Or do you have problems managing your time? The answers to the quiz will help you know what’s best for you to have the best chance for success on the Paleo diet.
Of course, you’ll find the best Paleo recipes to get you started and keep you going. This isn’t a crash diet where you want to lose 10 pounds for a wedding or class reunion. Paleo for Beginners sets you up for changing your lifestyle to a simple and better way of eating.
I like that this diet still seems to allow most meats (not processed), vegetables, and fruits. Since I seem to have a sensitivity to gluten and rice anyway, that won’t be a big deal.
Want to read about our Whole30 journey? Start here.
