Paleo 101

There are a lot of misconceptions about what modern paleo entails.

It's not about literally recreating the diet of our paleolithic ancestors.

To quote Michelle Tam of Nom Nom Paleo, "The caveman is just a mascot."

It's also not about eating as much meat as humanly possible--veggies are your friend. It's not even about going low-carb, although that is often a by-product of following a paleo diet.

Paleo is about maximizing consumption of healthful, micronutrient-dense foods that have a positive net impact on your mind and body, and minimizing foods that don't.

Additionally, a paleo lifestyle involves many nondietary factors that can contribute to overall wellness, including getting quality sleep, spending time outdoors, engaging in active play, and avoiding environmental toxins.

Below is a rundown of the dietary basics. Also check out our Resources page for further support and information!

enjoy

A wide variety of micro-nutrient-dense real foods

Go crazy with most produce, especially organic! Add in grass-fed meats, pastured eggs, and wild-caught or responsibly farmed seafood to complete your plate.

Avoid

hormone hijackers and inflammation increasers

Try to steer clear of grains, legumes, dairy, highly refined or artificial sweeteners; artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives; trans fats and vegetable oils higher in omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids.

LIMIT

Foods with lower

net-positive impact

Factory-farmed meats, tubers, nuts and seeds, and unrefined sweeteners such as honey, agave syrup, evaporated cane juice, etc. are best in moderation.

Many paleo dieters observe an 85/15 principle, which means that about 85% of the diet meets the above criteria, while about 15% may not.

Paleo means different things to different people, and there's no one-size-fits-all version. While these guidelines are a great place to start, it is up to each person to figure out their practical application. For more on how we do paleo, see here.

Paleo 101

A wide variety of micro-nutrient-dense real foods

hormone hijackers and inflammation increasers

Foods with lower

net-positive impact

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