Paleo Misconceptions

October 28, 2015

I’ve noticed recently (actually I noticed this a while ago, but recently realized I should write about it) that there are some paleo misconceptions in the mainstream, by critics, and by friends. So I figured I’d set the record straight.

Listen, paleo is not some crazy diet. It’s not as hard as people think it is. And when I see articles online criticizing paleo for reasons that aren’t even accurate – well, I get annoyed. Paleo is just eating real food, it’s really not complicated.

Since there isn’t a set definition of paleo, it can be hard to figure out what the “rules” are. But that is the beauty of paleo, it’s not about following a strict set of rules. Paleo is a guideline to create a diet that works for you. Everyone who eats paleo will have their own set of “rules” and eat different foods. Make paleo yours and do it your way.

When starting paleo – Research. Research. Research. Everyone has different beliefs and opinions on the best way to follow a paleo diet. Read everything and figure out where you stand. Like I said, make paleo yours. Don’t worry what other people have to say about it.

Paleo is Low Carb: This is the number one misconception that I’ve noticed people to believe about paleo. Critics of paleo will say that paleo is no good because we need carbs. Or, people will say they can’t eat paleo because they love carbs too much. Well what if I told you that fruits and vegetables are carbs… because they are. When people think of carbohydrates, they typically think of breads, muffins, pasta, and other grain products. But potatoes, sweet potatoes, plantains, squash, cassava and other vegetables & fruits are also full of carbohydrates. While we’re on the topic, there are some people who do very well on low-carb versions of a paleo diet. I am not one of those people. I tried low carb for a short period of time and I knew right away that it was not for me. I actually gained weight, felt heavy, and experienced a loss of energy. I love me some starchy carbs, so I was happy to discover that my body loves them too. We’re all different and it takes trial and error to find your “perfect” macronutrient ratios. Paleo is not a standard “diet” with strict rules to follow. It’s just about eating real food. Low carb or not – the choice is yours.
Paleo is Meat-Heavy: Another huge misconception about paleo is that we just eat tons of meat all day. While animal products from grass-fed/pasture-raised animals are, in fact, nourishing & healthful foods, this does not mean that they are the main focus. Vegetables are the main event – meat should be treated like a side dish. Grass-fed/pasture-raised meat is nutrient-dense, therefore we do not need to eat tons of it to meet our nutritional needs. Fill your plate with mostly vegetables (starchy and/or non-starchy), that are cooked in healthy fat, while leaving just about ¼ of your plate for meat. There’s no reason to be afraid of meat or fat – humans have been eating these foods for thousands and thousands of years – so if your body is craving more, than by all means eat more! Like I said, we are all different. If you don’t want to eat a lot of meat, don’t. But if you feel like you need more, don’t deprive yourself because of “fear of meat.” Again, the choice is yours.
Paleo Doesn’t Allow Alcohol: Following the theme of what I’ve been saying, when it comes to alcohol – the choice is yours. I drink wine (organic when I can) and I don’t see anything wrong with that – it’s just fermented grapes. Of course, binge drinking is not healthy and definitely won’t make you feel good about yourself, but enjoying a glass or two of wine sometimes is totally acceptable, in my opinion. Other good options: gluten-free beer, potato vodka (I’ve even seen quinoa vodka!), and other liquors. There are also many people who do need to avoid alcohol for personal health reasons – if this is you, than of course you shouldn’t drink alcohol.
Paleo is Too Restrictive: When you’re eating paleo you’ll notice that you’re actually eating a greater variety of foods than you were eating with the Standard American Diet (SAD). Most of the food products in the SAD are made from the same few ingredients with different flavorings and preservatives to seem like a great variety. Most SAD foods like cereal, protein bars, crackers, muffins, chips, cookies, frozen dinners, etc all are made from grains such as corn and wheat. On a paleo diet you’re eating tons of different vegetables, meats, fruits, eggs, nuts, and maybe even adding in grass-fed dairy, legumes, and even some grains like white rice or quinoa. Basically, just eat real food and avoid man-made processed foods.
Paleo is a Fad Diet: Paleo is definitely not a fad diet. It’s a lifestyle change – not a temporary diet that you “go on” to lose weight. The whole point of eating paleo is to improve your health, not to lose weight (although that’s usually an added bonus). Paleo emphasizes food quality and sustainability. It’s about changing your mindset, getting yourself in the kitchen, and developing a healthy relationship with food. Paleo is actually a way to stop the crazy yo-yo dieting. So it’s basically the opposite of a fad diet – it’s a way of life.
Paleo Means Eating Only What Cavemen Ate: Well, first of all, this would be impossible since we don’t have the same foods as cavemen available to us anymore. It’s about taking the idea of what they ate and applying it to modern foods. You can call it ancestral eating, traditional eating, eating real food, paleo, whatever – the basic idea is just to eat real, whole foods that are found in nature and avoid man-made, processed foods. Eat foods that your great-grandparents would make and recognize as food. It’s as simple as that.

What do you think? Did this change your perception of paleo? Let me know in the comments!

Jill

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