The balanced paleo diet approach to food seems to have incorrect assumptions attached like “no carbs”, “extreme”, and “impossible to stick with.” I’ve developed what I call the balanced paleo diet. It’s reasonable long-term, and moderate while still giving you great results.
You are ADDING in FOOD, and REMOVING food-like PRODUCTS that are making you fat and sick. It is a lifestyle approach that WORKS – I’ve seen it work over and over! Pounds lost, energy gained, sleep better and hormones more balanced!
If you feel like you are constantly in a battle with food, give the balanced paleo diet a try!
What is the balanced paleo diet?
The balanced paleo diet refers to macro-nutrient ratios:
33% of calories from carbs (There are 4 calories per gram of carbs)
33% of calories from protein (4 calories per gram of protein)
33% calories from fat (9 calories per gram of fat)
The balanced paleo diet is a positive move from the Standard American Diet, or S.A.D.
The S.A.D.
The S.A.D. is high in refined carbs, high in inflammatory foods, low in nutrient value, and low in quality fats and protein. The S.A.D. packs on the pounds and detrimental to gut health. The S.A.D. welcomes chronic diseases.
Paleo foods exclude grains & gluten, all dairy, legumes, processed foods & drinks, refined sugars, and artificial sweeteners.
Paleo foods include organic/free-range meats of all kinds, wild caught fish, unlimited vegetables, potatoes, rice, low to moderate fruit intake, nuts, and seeds.
Results will vary from person to person; combine with strength training to see results faster!
Who can benefit from the balanced paleo diet?
Everyone! This ratio is a great place to start if you are struggling to lose weight, if you’re just looking to trim down a little, or maintain where you’re at. The carbs are low enough to produce gradual weight loss, or weight maintenance (depends on hormones and/or calories) but high enough to power you through a tough workout! The fat is low enough to keep your calories in check, but high enough to give you the tools to keep carbs down. And the protein is plenty to build muscle and burn body fat!
The switch from the S.A.D. to paleo foods will have a dramatic positive impact on gut health, allergies, digestion, sleep quality, mood, energy, and more!
Aside from body composition improvements, I guarantee you’ll feel more energy, improve digestion, and many other unwanted symptoms may just disappear!
How to implement the balanced paleo diet:
You might be wondering what to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
- Eat a protein and fat rich breakfast with low carbs. For example, a veggie 2-4 egg omlet or scramble, topped with avocado slices.
- Lunch should be centered around protein and veggies. Depending on your protein needs, a 5-10 oz piece of chicken, beef, pork, or fish, served with a large salad and/or roasted veggies. Include a carb with lunch like serving of rice or sweet potato. Make sure to include those satisfying fats like nuts or avocado.
- Dinner should look a lot like lunch. To keep yourself from getting bored with the food you’re eating, look up paleo recipes and experiment with different spices! Step outside the box and try new things!
- Good snacks are mixed nuts, pre-cut veggies, or my paleo muffins. (These are also great for breakfast!)
- If you think you have to skip desert, you’re wrong! Try easy paleo desert recipes this, or this. Yum!
- Aim for a total of a minimum of 6 cups of veggies per day. Work your way up to 10!
The balanced paleo diet will require a degree of planning and preparation in order to be successful. Try using a crock pot, grill, or oven to cook meat, veggies, and potatoes!
Related Articles and links:
If you like this article, Like me on Facebook
* Amanda’s Easy Paleo Recipes *
