Paleo Tips for Beginners

I was honored and humbled by this, so of course I said yes.

I thought about what my number one tip would be to share with Paleo beginners for about a week. I had to go back to the early days of when I first got started on Paleo, to remember how I felt and what I struggled the most with. If you’re a beginner, know that I was in your place and that I probably had the same questions and struggles you’re currently having. Starting a new habit is hard, it takes about 21 days to fully form a new habit…so don’t give up and stick with it, even if it’s hard. It’ll totally be worth it. Your health is worth it.

Below is the write-up I shared with cavemandietblog.com.
Hope you enjoy it, and if you’re a beginner, I hope that it’s helpful to you.

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Starting the Paleo Diet can be intimidating. Trust me, I get it! There was a time when I didn’t eat the Paleo way, so believe me when I say that I know what you’re going through and that you’re not alone.

Depending on how your diet has been in the past, going Paleo can be a 180 degree change to the way that you are used to eating or on the ingredients your body is used to receiving. But don’t fret; the body can get used to anything! Yes, it takes time…but you can get there!

Going Paleo means embracing the principle of eating the way our ancestors used to eat more than 10,000 years ago (by hunting and gathering). Us, Paleo followers, consider this the most beneficial way of eating and we encourage all to go away from the modern day diet (full of processed foods) to a new diet where clean proteins, vegetables and fruits are the norm.

Now, we don’t suggest that you do just like our ancestors did and hunt your own game and gather your own berries. Nope. Not at all. However, we do suggest that you start consuming whole, all natural, organic foods if you want to see the benefits the Paleo Diet can offer. These foods being: lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and natural spices and sweeteners. These foods don’t cause inflammation to your body, are easily digested and are extremely nourishing. If you switch from modern day eating to caveman style eating (aka the Paleo Diet), I guarantee that you’re going to see incredible changes in your body — from how you feel to how you look.

One of the things that I struggled with the most when I first became Paleo was craving non-Paleo foods. I wanted to snack so badly on some cheese and crackers, have a little French bread with my salad, or indulge on a few bites of a NY style cheesecake. These cravings were present for about 2-3 weeks. And it was tough. I dare to say that craving non-Paleo foods is easily one of the hardest things for people who are just starting out with Paleo. It’s important to note that it takes the body about 21 days to adapt to change, so keep this in mind if you experience cravings yourself.

My tip for Paleo beginners is to give yourself grace and to acknowledge that non-Paleo food cravings are going to be a reality when you first start out. It is normal, but stay strong. Don’t give in. Keep reminding yourself that on average, you’ll need those 3 weeks to get used to all the changes you’re bringing to your body. Something you can do to help yourself during these 21 days is to get rid of all the non-Paleo foods you have in your pantry and refrigerator…and to stop buying non-Paleo foods and ingredients at the store. Instead, go grocery shopping for all of the Paleo approved ingredients that you and your family would eat in a week, and then when you get home, prepare one week’s worth of Paleo meals and Paleo snacks ahead of time, so you can have these handy in your fridge for whenever you get hungry. This will avoid a lot of cravings.

Also, don’t forget to drink water. I have noticed that sometimes when I get “hungry” and my body gets restless, it’s because of my lack of hydration. So make sure you meal prep and that you drink lots of fluids. BEST OF LUCK to you. I am confident you’re going to love the Paleo journey.

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If you want to read the rest of the article to see what other Paleo bloggers recommend, click here.