Paleo Diet Beginners – Read This Guide To Get Started!

One problem many Paleo Diet beginners have, and beginners at just about anything, is the tendency to fall into the habit of waiting until the moment is absolutely perfect before taking the first step toward something new. It’s natural; people are afraid of change. How often have you heard yourself or others say things like, “I’m going to wait until the holidays are over, then I’ll start exercising and eating right.” Or another of my favorites: “Eating healthy costs too much, I’m going to wait until I can pay for it.”

The problem with that mindset is that there is no deadline to do anything. The timing will never be perfect. The planets will never align and present you with the sign you are looking for. The best way to get started is to do exactly that, get started! The most effective approach will always be to jump in and get both feet wet early on. Don’t worry so much about being perfect. We all know that perfection is unattainable anyway. Here are some simple steps you can take today to set yourself up for success and a lasting change with the paleo diet.

Step 1

Cleaning out the fridge and pantry: When I started the paleo diet, I was a hungry and broke college student. So naturally I found this step absolutely stinky! I tried to find reasons to hold onto everything, thinking it would be a waste of money if I threw away my side dishes for sandwiches, hot pockets, canned soups, ramen, and peanut butter – all breakfasts of champions! (not really) My initial thought was to finish all the unhealthy food I had and then I would start. Well, the problem with that line of thinking is that it doesn’t provide the impact to your system (metaphorically speaking) that this change in your life can actually mean. You can even see it as a symbolic gesture. By cleaning the house of all the things that are not aligned with the paleo philosophy, you effectively say to yourself: “That’s it! I’m done putting all that junk in my body!” Go ahead, take off the band-aid. Don’t get carried away, just go crazy and do it! By diving in and experiencing the growing pains now, you will set yourself up for a much better transition later. Remember, the hard way is usually the easy way. Here is a simple list of foods to keep and foods to discard to help you get started:

Foods to preserve

  • grass-fed meats

  • fish and shellfish

  • fruits

  • vegetables

  • eggs

  • Nuts and seeds

  • Healthy organic oils (olive, coconut, macadamia, avocado)

Food to throw away

  • cereal grains

  • vegetables

  • dairy products

  • refined sugar

  • white potatoes

  • processed foods

  • Salt

  • refined vegetable oils

Step 2

Now that you’ve cleared the house of everything not on the approved food list, take a quick trip to the store and fill in whatever gaps you now see you have in your refrigerator and pantry. Have you noticed that you lack fish and shellfish? or healthy fruits and oils? Fix it now. Don’t overthink things right now. Many beginners to the paleo diet think too much and not do enough. You can always make further adjustments later. It’s just about taking the first step.

So there you have it, two steps to get you going when you start the paleo diet. You have cleaned up all the bad things and replaced them with really good things. Of course, this is a bit simplistic, but it really is all you need to get started.

Best of luck!

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