“Yabba, dabba, doo!” Remember Fred Flintstone? He pulled up to the drive-in and ordered a colossal rack o’ ribs, supersized steak and biggie Brontosaurus burger. America’s favorite cartoon caveman may very well have been the first one on the Paleo Diet.
The Paleolithic Diet, aka Caveman Diet, has literally been around 2.5 million years. It debuted on the modern mainstream scene in the 1970s, and recently has become a top trend in eating.
So what is Paleo, anyway? In a nutshell, it’s based on the notion that we should eat real, whole unprocessed foods that are more healthful than harmful to our bodies. The basic rules of Paleo: eat grass-fed meats and eggs and wild-caught seafood, which are all nutrient-dense, nourishing foods. For every serving of meat/eggs/seafood, eat two to three times as many fresh vegetables. Fruit, nuts and seeds can be eaten in moderation.
Curious, I dove right in. More on my experience in a minute, but first, advice from an expert. I sat down with Trish Cappelli-Van Gorden, a personal trainer, competitive bodybuilding champion and avid Paleo supporter. Trish breaks it all down:
An Expert Paleo-er Weighs In
PA Eats: Why Paleo?
Trish Cappelli-Van Gorden: Initially I tried it for health reasons, and got hooked right away. I’ve always been into fitness and competition, and eating this way allows me to stay leaner and to perform better, as well as feeling better overall.
What’s on your typical menu?
Beef, poultry, fish, veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, eggs. Also plant-based oils like coconut, olive or avocado, but not vegetable or corn. For breakfast I’ll have coffee with Stevia, a plant-based sweetener, and a few eggs with vegetables. For lunch, it’s some type of meat, green veggies like asparagus or broccoli. Plus I’ll have a yam as my starchy vegetable before my workout. Dinner’s beef or fish, a ton of vegetables, but I stay away from the starches before bed. I also drink green tea and water, sometimes with a little apple cider vinegar and Stevia.
How about snacks?
All kinds of nuts, like pecans, almonds and walnuts. Peanuts aren’t Paleo, they’re actually legumes. I eat raw veggies like bell peppers or fruit, which is especially important for someone just starting out on Paleo so they get the sugar their body might be used to.
Are alcoholic drinks a no-no?
Nope, you can have wine because it’s made from grapes. Good, agave tequila is also ok because agave is a plant. I make the “NorCal Margarita,” which is two shots of top shelf tequila, fresh lime juice, club soda and a little Stevia to sweeten. One vodka brand you can drink is Ciroc, made from grapes. Beer is off the list because it’s made from grains.
What else is off the list?
Corn, wheat, refined sugar, dairy, beans, processed foods and packaged goods for the most part.
Is it easier or more difficult than other ways of eating?
I find it easier because my shopping list is much shorter. Plus I can track my daily intake and see exactly where my protein, carbs and fat numbers are and know what to back off of each day. I use the Lose It! app and love it.
Do you ever cheat?
Yes and you can too. If I go to dinner with my husband and want a piece of cheesecake, I’ll get it and that’s my cheat. Some people want bread; I want cheesecake. My advice is to choose wisely. One Super Bowl Sunday, my kids ordered pizza, so I decided why not? It didn’t even taste good to me. Over time, you train your taste buds and may not enjoy a food as much.
Speaking of dining out, what’s your trick?
I always order sauces on the side and if I want to try it, I’ll just dip a little. When you order a salad, always have them bring the oil and vinegar to the table, or squeeze oranges or lemon onto your veggies. Garlic, oregano, salt and pepper are another way to spice up your food. Just ask; any restaurant should be willing to accommodate, even Italian places. Look for a meat dish and double up on the vegetables.
My Week on the Paleo Diet
With Trish’s advice in mind, I decided to give it a go and went full-throttle Paleo for a week. I must say I liked it.
I’m already a huge fan of the “kitchen sink” salad as I call it. Over a bed of spring mix, spinach, arugula, you name the greens, I add a protein like chicken or tuna, hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, onions, sunflower seeds, cashews. You get the idea.
For dinner, I’d grill steak, salmon or chicken and sauté asparagus, brussels sprouts, onions and mushrooms in olive oil.
During my work day or before a workout, I’d grab raw peppers, carrots or almonds. I found I was a little too hungry and ate a few too many. I also found myself eating more frequently than before since I cut out bread, rice and cereal. I did crave more fruit, so I ate more oranges, apples, strawberries and other fresh fruits.
As for my coffee, I am addicted to a drop of flavored creamer, so drinking it without dairy and just Stevia was a little rough, but did the job. Toward the end of the week, I had a serious hankering for a piece of pizza, and my go-to snack of Triscuits, cheese and hummus.
All that said, I did feel a change in my body. In just a short time, I felt leaner and did lose a few pounds. Paleo eating does take commitment and research to create meals that are enticing and interesting if you’re doing this long-term.
Ok by me and I’m back at it! Trish gave me a new challenge this week—eat seven different plants per day (only two can be fruits). Challenge accepted. Stay tuned for an update!
For more information about the Paleo Diet, Trish recommends The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf.
