What is paleo diet?
Paleolithic period refers to the stone-age era, before the agriculture period that began about 10,000 years ago. During the stone-age, there were no rice, grains, coffee, beans, potatoes, soy, sorghum, wheat, small grains, deep fried food, etc. People only ate roasted meat and some vegetables.
As long as these grains and sugar free food were their main diet, people did not suffer from the diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, stroke, sinus,
asthma, hypothyroidism, seizures, psoriasis, vitiligo, cancer, etc. that the city dwellers possess. Only after started eating grain based food, these ailments engulfed the humans.
What's to eat in paleo?
* Egg
* Meat, fish
* Paleo vegetables
* Herbs
* Water
* Almonds, Walnuts and other nuts (no peanuts)
* Little bit of milk and curd for taste and calcium.
How much of these to eat?
There is no limit. Eggs, meat etc can be eaten until the stomach is full. Stop eating when satisfied.
What kind of eggs and meat to eat?
Eat the whole egg. Meats high in fat are preferred. Low fat items like dry fish, chicken breast, etc may be consumed in lesser or limited quantity. Avoid eating just the egg whites, skim milk etc. In paleo, fat is your energy source and not sugar, so high fat meats are consumed.
What kind of cooking to follow?
Cooking in pressure cooker, oven, pan, grill and baking is allowed, but deep frying in oil is not.
What kind of oil to use for cooking?
* Non-hydrogenated natural animal fats like: lard, bacon grease, beef tallow, ghee and butter.
* Non-hydrogenated nut oils: coconut oil.
* Third preference: extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil.
Avoid: peanut oil, saffola, sunola, sunflower, rice bran oil, mustard oil, cotton seed oil, vanaspathi, dalda.
Can diabetes patients take paleo?
Definitely can. However, in paleo your sugar level will not raise at all, so the usual dosage of insulin and medicines can lead to dangerously low-sugar levels. You may have a pleasant surprise in having to reduce the dosage of insulin or even completely stopping it on the first day itself. Continue to monitor the sugar levels regularly and reduce insulin dose.
What are the side effects of paleo?
For the first few days, there may be headaches, tiredness, etc. Take large amount of water. Avoid exercising during these days. These problems will stop.
What are the mistakes when starting?
Starving... Don't do this. eat until full.
Lower calories intake.. Don't do this either.
Reluctance to eat fat.. This is wrong, egg yoke, red meat are your energy source. Eat without any worries.
How often can you take a break?
Initially you can take a break one day in a month. Don't eat junk food, deep fried items, ice-cream etc on the break day. After following paleo for a month, even a day of junk food can create adverse reaction to the stomach. If you like cheat by eating rice, Idli and fruits. Don't even go near sweets, fast-food, noodles junk.
What kinds of exercises to do?
30 - 45 minutes slow paced walking, lifting weights at gym, cycling, games like cricket can be done. Running, jogging, strenuous exercises etc are unnecessary and can be harmful too.
I have special conditions like psoriasis, hypothyroidism, PCOT, etc. Can I follow paleo?
Definitely you can. There are separate diets for these ailments. Register to the FB group ஆரோக்கியம் & நல்வாழ்வு and ask your questions there.
I'm a vegetarian.. what are my options in paleo?
In paleo, you should prepare yourself to eat at least eggs on daily basis.. 90% of the diseases can be fought off with eggetarian diet. If not going
to eat even eggs, weight, blood pressure, sugar etc can be reduced with some effort. For more complicated issues like hormone imbalances, infertility, autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, etc either they can't be resolved or you may be forced to take extreme penance like a monk.
I'm a vegan and don't even take milk.
Wrong number.. Please check the number you dialed
Is it compulsory to eat 100 almonds everyday?
If this is not possible, there are other options. Ask FB group ஆரோக்கியம் & நல்வாழ்வு.
I started paleo.. what should I do next?
Enjoy your journey... Let the weight fall on its own accord. If weight-loss stalls there are next stages like warrior, ketosis, etc. Ask your questions about them in FB group ஆரோக்கியம் & நல்வாழ்வு.