Making any big change in your life can be overwhelming and seem scary. Change is an inevitable part of life. It’s better to embrace it than to try to hide from it. Technology, fashion, slang, and just about every part of life is constantly evolving and changing. It’s important that we learn to adapt to changes that are out of our control. But what about changes that we choose to make? Since we are creatures of habit, lifestyle changes take some work and determination.

Making the transition to paleo can seem pretty daunting for some people, but it doesn’t have to be! There are many benefits to living a paleo lifestyle, one of which is achieving optimal health. Of course, it is easier in our busy lives to go out and buy pre-made food, but the easy way is usually not the best way. In terms of the food that we put in our bodies, it is especially important to not take the easy way out. Like any other change, with time, the paleo lifestyle will become your good habit.

Just like anything else the beginning is always the hardest. The transition period may test your determination, but trust me it can be done and it is worth it! Read on to discover helpful paleo tips for beginners.

1. What made you decide to go paleo?– People choose to adopt a paleo lifestyle for different reasons. It is important that you think of why you are making this change. You need a reason/goal in order to keep yourself motivated for the long haul. If you don’t have a specific reason for going paleo, you likely won’t stick to it. Your reasons are personal and whatever they are (weight loss, optimal health, healing autoimmune conditions, etc), they will be the driving force that keeps you on track. I follow a paleo lifestyle in order to stay healthy & energized, keep my immune system up, and manage my IBS. I can tell you with complete confidence that I feel so much better since going paleo and when I “cheat” I can feel the effects. I can feel the changes in my digestion, mood, energy levels, and immunity (I’m basically never sick). This motivates me to stay paleo because I don’t want to feel like crap again after experiencing how amazing I can feel! I find that, for me, focusing on health rather than weight loss is what keeps me on track for the long haul. Find your reason and think about it when you feel like giving up.

2. Forgive yourself– If you slip up and eat something that is not paleo, it is not the end of the world! Don’t beat yourself up over it and revert back to old ways. Enjoy the indulgence and get back to paleo at your next meal. You shouldn’t feel guilt or shame because of food. It’s okay to enjoy the occasional treat, just be sure that most of your diet is comprised of real, whole foods. Paleo is a lifestyle, not a diet. If you want to eat something “not paleo” once in a while, let yourself enjoy it and then return to paleo. If you are using paleo to manage symptoms of a condition/disease than it is best to stay strict or you may experience discomfort. However, we are human and no one is perfect. Slip ups are very likely to occur and there’s no reason to beat yourself up over them. Listen to your body, it will tell you when something is wrong.

3. Meal Prep– Paleo can be a lot of work because most of the time you are cooking all of your food. Right now, there are not many paleo take-out options out there (but it is possible to stay paleo while eating out). If you want to be sure of exactly what is in your food, you will have to cook it yourself. We all lead very busy lives, and I know the thought of cooking can seem unbearable, but you can simplify it. There are many ways you can make cooking your meals easier. People prefer different methods, do what works for you.

    • Choose 1-2 days to cook all your meals for the week. If you would like to have most nights off from cooking, this could be a great option for you. You just have to be willing to give up a day or two to spend cooking the meals for the week. You can cook Sunday for the whole week, and freeze some to eat at your own convenience. Or, you can cook Sunday for a few days worth of meals, and again on Wednesday for the rest of the week. Or really any days that work for you, and freeze some for days where you need something quick.
    • Store chopped vegetables. If you would prefer something fresh cooked each night, it would be a great help to chop up your vegetables ahead of time and store them in the fridge so they are ready to go when you’re cooking. This saves so much time, especially if you buy them chopped ahead of time!
    • Plan. Planning your meals ahead of time helps you not waste time thinking of what to cook at the last minute. It will also help to keep you on track because you already know what you are going to eat and won’t be tempted to grab something out. If you plan before you shop, you will also save time at the grocery store.
    • Crockpot. The crockpot is such a convenient invention, especially if you have the Ninja, like I do. All you have to do is throw in all the ingredients in the morning, turn it on (and set it for a certain number of hours), and come home later with dinner waiting for you! The Ninja is also a stovetop, so you can sear or saute foods before slow cooking.

4. Kitchen Staples– There are some items that you should always have stocked in your paleo kitchen. These items will be used on a regular basis. Click here for everything I keep stocked in my kitchen!

5. Drink Water– It’s important to stay hydrated and our bodies need water. I know before I went paleo I rarely drank water, and now it’s all I drink (besides coffee, tea, and wine). You will feel so much better and have nicer skin once you add more water into your daily routine.

6. Paleo Treats– Some people will argue that treats, such as muffins made with paleo friendly ingredients, have no place in a paleo diet. I disagree with that view. I think paleo treats are great. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not healthy to base your diet on these things, or have them on a daily basis. They should still be considered what they are, treats. They are also very convenient and perfect for paleo beginners. Sometimes you may want to eat some of your old favorite foods like muffins, cakes, breads, etc. Being able to recreate these foods into paleo friendly versions can greatly help to keep you on track. It is better to eat paleo treats than to eat their gluten-filled counterparts. I relied on paleo muffins and cookies for breakfast on weekdays for quite a while (I actually still do on many mornings). It is not the “ideal” breakfast, but I get by just fine that way. Paleo treats help beginners feel like they aren’t missing out on anything and can be very comforting.

7. Detox Symptoms– You may experience some detox symptoms when beginning on your paleo journey. For me, I experienced very sharp headaches and some irritability. Other symptoms you may experience are brain fog, fatigue, and digestive distress. Be prepared and stay on track, the symptoms will go away and you will feel amazing. Trust me, the benefits far outweigh feeling sick for a few days. Give yourself time each day to relax for the first few days.

8. Snacks– Keep paleo friendly snacks around so you will not be tempted to eat junk food when you get hungry. Stash some nuts, larabars, plantain chips, beef jerky, and exo bars in your desk at work, in your purse, and in your car (or anywhere else) so you are prepared if you get hungry.

9. Mix it up– Every healthy diet incorporates variety. No one wants to eat the same food over and over everyday. That gets boring and you start disliking that food. You also get more nutrients by incorporating a variety of different foods into your diet. Try out new recipes and eat a new dish every night! You are more likely to stick with paleo for the long haul if you eat meals that you love and try new ones as well. Transitioning to paleo is a great time to try foods that you would never have eaten before. Before I became paleo I was a very picky eater. I wouldn’t eat eggs and I would never try fish. Now I eat those things on a regular basis. One day I may even work up the nerve to try organ meats. Remember, variety is key.

10. Shop Online– You can buy pretty much anything online these days. It can be hard to find paleo-friendly products in supermarkets (although many more products are becoming available in more stores), especially if you live in an area that doesn’t have access to healthy food. Fortunately, you can find an endless number of paleo-friendly products for purchase on the internet. To avoid shipping charges, look in the stores first. If that fails, there are many websites that offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount. Many of these products you will use a lot, so it is worth it to buy in bulk and stock up your kitchen. Amazon has many paleo-friendly products, as well as wildmountainpaleo.com and thrivemarket.com. You can also order directly from manufacturer’s, such as Cappello’s paleo-friendly pastas and cookie dough. Remember to always read ingredient labels! The front packaging doesn’t tell the whole story, it is crucial that you read the ingredients to make sure there is nothing “bad” hidden in the product.

11. Research– Read everything you can find about paleo. There are many paleo blogs and resources on the internet and in print. It is important to do this because there are different opposing viewpoints of paleo. It is not a “diet” with a structured set of rules on how to eat. It is guidelines and a template for you to build the diet that is right for you and your body. There are certain “gray area” foods that are okay for some people but problematic for others. For example, dairy may be perfectly fine for some people but cause digestive problems in others. You will need to do some trial and error to find out what foods are best for you, and what will help you stay on track. I eat dairy on occasion and it doesn’t give me any problems. I also eat red potatoes, and sometimes quinoa. I even enjoy red wine on occasion. Paleo is a very personalized approach to eating.

 

Was this information useful to you? Let me know in the comments!

 

See also: Paleo Tips