Even when the information seems overwhelming about what is healthy and what is not, it is possible to choose a healthy lifestyle that includes modern and manageable options to suit any lifestyle. The Paleo diet will allow you to eat healthy, enjoy your meals, and help you achieve true health and wellness!
The Paleo diet does not include grains, dairy, sugars, or processed foods, none of which provide nutritional value or promote disease-causing inflammation in the body. The Paleo diet supports the consumption of a healthy combination of safe organic meat, fresh vegetables, some fruits, some nuts and seeds … and of course, healthy fats and oils! “Food is our fuel” that makes the body work; what you put into your body will become the building blocks of every cell, muscle, tissue, and organ. The old adage “you are what you eat” was surprisingly true.
Here are 5 simple tips to help you start your Paleo journey to a healthy lifestyle:
1) Pre-cook your food, even bring lunch to work. To minimize cooking time, cook large amounts of food at the beginning of the week or several days in advance.
2) Keep a paleo-friendly meal replacement bar or smoothie on your desk or purse in case of a change in plans. Not being prepared will lead to poor decision making.
3) Try a new vegetable: the more color and more intense, the more nutritious it is. For example, kale is one of my favorite superfoods and it’s so versatile – you can use it in recipes for smoothies, salads, and even cooking as a hot side dish for dinner.
4) Don’t keep any foods you don’t “want” to eat around the house … at all. Out of sight, out of mind. And no, your kids don’t need those chips and cookies either.
5) Learn to use new spices. This will offer much more variety and flavors in your meals.
And speaking of planning, here’s a little inspiration for planning your healthy paleo-friendly snacks.
– Apple with almond butter
– Cinnamon nuts (nuts sprinkled with cinnamon and baked at 250 degrees for 10-15 minutes)
– Boiled eggs
– “Guacamole” salad (equal amounts of diced avocado and tomato, sprinkle with chopped red onion and coriander)
– Fresh vegetable juice / smoothie
– Kale chips (cover the kale in olive oil and cook at 250 degrees for about 20 minutes or until crisp)
