Are you considering adopting the Paleo Diet to lose weight and feel better? If you’re someone who has never been on the Paleo Diet, you may wonder how to get started.
Here are 7 easy tips to follow if you’re a newbie on the Paleo Diet:
Clean out the kitchen: If you’re considering adopting the Paleo way of life, you’ll need to go through your cupboards and fridge. Get rid of all non-paleo foods such as grains, bread, pasta, dairy, cheese, milk, and any processed foods. You need to make room for fresh, wholesome choices!
Food preparation: When your pantry and fridge are stocked with paleo-friendly foods, it’s time to get them prepped up! Chop up your onions, peppers, tomatoes, celery, and broccoli. Slice up your carrots and your zucchini. Wash your lettuce and keep all your prepped-up veggies in different Tupperware containers for quick and easy use. Cook up some chicken breasts and package them up in baggies in 3-4 ounce portions for quick stir-fries. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Try new things in the kitchen: on the Paleo Diet, you’ll be doing a lot of cooking so take advantage by trying a new vegetable every week. Ever try spaghetti squash instead of pasta? Or eggplant casserole? Mixing up your meals with different spices will keep your taste buds tantalized and you’ll avoid getting bored of eating the same meals over and over. If need be, go out and buy a few new kitchen accessories. Gadgets such as a mandolin make slicing and dicing vegetables a breeze!
Read labels: Nowadays, manufacturers are required by law to label most foods found on the shelves at your local grocery store so become an expert at reading labels. If the ingredient list on an item is long and contains ingredients that you can’t even pronounce, chances are you shouldn’t be putting this in your body. Put it back on the shelf and keep looking. Eventually, this will become second nature and you’ll know whether a grocery item is acceptable or not simply by glancing at the food label.
Adopt new portion sizes: the traditional meal in modern days includes vegetables on half the plate, protein on one quarter, and grains on the other quarter. A Paleo-friendly meal consists of protein the size of your palm, lots and lots of veggies, and a healthy serving of fat.
Ask questions when eating out: There will be times when life takes over and you find yourself at a restaurant trying to make sensible food choices. Don’t be afraid to ask questions on how the food is prepared and request modifications if need be. Also, always double up on vegetables instead of rice.
Expect mistakes: You can’t possibly adopt a new lifestyle such as the Paleo Diet without a few bumps in the road. There will be days when your cravings take over and before you know it, you’ve polished off a bacon cheeseburger with french fries. If this happens, don’t beat up yourself over it – get back on the wagon and make your next meal Paleo-friendly.
Starting a new diet can be tough but if you’re somewhat prepared, you’re way ahead of the game. Staying motivated can sometimes be a challenge but even after a few days of eating the Paleo way, your cravings will start disappearing and it will become second nature.