The paleo lifestyle often refers to adopting a paleo diet for life. This is often referred to as the ‘cavemen’ diet because it is how our early ancestors ate and lived.
Several questions will come to people’s minds when they first hear of the paleo diet. Is it healthy? Is it expensive? Why do I have to sacrifice my favorite foods? Is it uncivilized?
All these questions are often based on misconceptions and false notions. The paleo diet though slightly restrictive is perfectly healthy and sustainable. As with anything that needs to become a habit, it will take some time to adapt to the paleo diet and make it a way of life.
Most diets are not sustainable in the long run. They are either too low in calories, based on false information or just too restrictive and not feasible for a long term solution.
The paleo diet recommends a diet rich in meat, eggs and healthy fats. The meat and eggs are best if they are organic. Grains, sugar and refined or processed foods are strictly not allowed. This is where most people face the biggest hurdle.
Giving up their favorite foods such as chocolates, cakes, pastries, ice-creams, etc. is such a sacrifice. Is it even worth it? This is a question every individual will need to answer for themselves. There are paleo recipes to make desserts, smoothies and even ice-creams. So, it’s not that bad but of course, you’ll have to forget the Dunkin Donuts.
You’ll have to decide if you want good health and a lean, fit body. The good thing about the paleo diet is that after you have been on it for 3 months, your cravings for sweet foods will diminish greatly. A lot of your past cravings will not be there anymore. You will not feel the need to raid the refrigerator at night and binge eat.
When the body has all the nutrients it needs, it doesn’t have sudden cravings. So, in the long run, it will not seem like a sacrifice at all.
The paleo diet is not more expensive than a normal diet. You are just substituting foods. In fact, since the paleo diet often recommends that you buy your meats and fresh foods in bulk, often there will be cost savings. You are also encouraged to cook for yourself.
That means overall, you will be saving money. Any savvy paleo dieter will be able to adroitly get better bargains from his local meat suppliers. The only investment you will have to make is on a freezer to store your meats. This, however, is a one-time investment that will last for years.
So, to summarize, the paleo diet is actually cheaper than the standard American diet. Not to mention, you will save on medical costs since you will be less susceptible to the normal health issues that affect most people on a poor diet.
The paleo diet is definitely sustainable in the long run. You will benefit from it greatly. The only difficulty is in the beginning when you are first getting used to it. Once you cross the hump, it will be smooth sailing the rest of the way and you’ll realize that the paleo lifestyle is an excellent way to live.