Even when it seems that the information about what is healthy and what is not overwhelming is overwhelming, it is possible to choose a healthy lifestyle that includes modern and manageable options to fit 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 includes no grains, dairy, sugars, or processed foods, none of which provide nutritional value and support disease-causing inflammation in the body. The Paleo Diet supports eating a healthy mix of safe organic meat, fresh vegetables, some fruit, 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 easy 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 batches of food at the beginning of the week or several days in advance!
2) Keep a paleo-friendly meal replacement bar or shake in your desk or purse in case of a change of plans. Not being prepared will lead to poor decision making.
3) Try a new vegetable – the more color and the deeper the color, the more nutritious it will be! For example, kale is one of my favorite superfoods and it is so versatile – you can use it in recipes for smoothies, salads, and even cook it as a hot side dish for dinner.
4) Don’t keep any food you don’t “want” to eat in 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 some inspiration for planning your healthy paleo-friendly snacks!
– Apple with almond butter
– Cinnamon Nuts (nuts sprinkled with cinnamon and baked at 250 degrees about 10-15 minutes)
– Boiled eggs
– Salad “Guacamole” (equal amounts of avocado and tomato cubes, sprinkle with chopped red onion and cilantro)
– Fresh vegetable juice/smoothie
– Kale Chips (coat kale in olive oil and cook at 250 degrees for about 20 minutes or until crisp)