CHAPTER 4 – PREPARATION FOR YOUR
PALEO DIET
The Paleo diet is quite simple to follow since it doesn't involve counting calories or other restrictions. It focuses on eating natural and fresh foods just like the hunters and gatherers did. As long as you are eating fresh sea food, lean meat, nuts, fruits and vegetables as provided in this diet then you can take as much as you wish without counting carbohydrates, fats and calories.
Before you embark on the Paleo diet you must have an inquiring and open mind. You have to sit down and decide when to start and what to eat in the first week. Primarily, if you choose to begin with a full on diet then you will experience an adjustment period. This period will most likely involve some mental, emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms as you begin changing your usual eating habits.
Because of the adjustment phase, it is advisable to start the diet when your life is relatively calm and without stressful situations. Some people can experience a slight headache while others show symptoms of flu for just a few days. The adjustment period can last for a week or two. During this phase, there is a feeling of fatigue, dizziness and a powerful craving for some delicious carbohydrate foods.
How to manage cravings and symptoms
One most strange aspect of human psychology is that people crave foods that have no nutritional value for their bodies. This is exactly true for dairy products and grains, therefore people who start the Paleo diet experience an intense craving for such foods. Here are some things to do to make the change of lifestyle a bit easier.
Drink a lot of water
Include garlic and onions in your food. They are rich in sulphur and amino acids. Sulphur is an important component of the detox system. Add plenty of turmeric in your food. Turmeric is a strong anti -inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Cook your meals with coconut oil or olive oil. Oily fish is also very good.
Planning your paleo diet
You must not embark on the diet before planning what foods you are going to take during the first week. Buy the things that are needed in advance to avoid reaching out for some sugary snacks immediately craving starts. It is wise to have adequate supply of snacks like walnuts, almonds, peanuts and fruits. When planning your Paleo diet you have to focus on mealtimes. Here is a sample meal plan.
Breakfast (visit this link to get huge discount on Paleo breakfast today limited time offer http://paleobreakfastkit.blogspot.com
-Eggs, mushroom, garlic, onions and steamed spinach
-Use coconut oil
-Avocado
Lunch
-Chicken salad with red onions
-Herb, olive oil and lemon juice dressing
-Pecans, cantaloupe and blackberries Snack
- ¼ cup macadamias
Dinner
-Venison steak
-Ginger cabbage and olive oil
-Steamed summer squash with lemon juice, cinnamon and coconut milk Desert
-Shaved almonds
Your first shopping trip ought to include fresh vegetables, lean meat, chicken, fish and some allowed snacks. Buy load of herbs, coconut oil, epsom salt, olive oil and anything that will help you survive the adjustment phase.
Taking care of yourself
It is a great idea to observe your body's reaction to the new diet. There are plenty of nutrients and no filers in the Paleo diet. Many people experience a detoxification period where their bodies learn how to use fats as the main source of energy instead of carbohydrates.