As a female college student, of course I worry about gaining the dreaded “freshmen fifteen.” And although I am no longer a freshmen, those fifteen pounds still haunt me with every bite of junk food I take. Diets that limit how much I am allowed to eat just don’t work, so I looked into a diet plan that is becoming increasingly more popular: The Paleo Diet. I wouldn’t say this is a new diet, considering it involves eating food that the cavemen ate in the Paleolithic times (hence the name of the diet), but more and more people are becoming increasingly interested in this way of life.
Because of the societal factors that are coupled with food, Americans have forgotten about the foods that their bodies are genetically programmed to eat. Despite the intricate genetics that make up our body, the food that we are supposed to put in them is quite straightforward. The Paleo Diet follows six simple rules:
- Eat as much lean meat, fish, and seafood that you want.
- Eat as many fruits and non-starchy vegetables that you want.
- No legumes
- No dairy products
- No cereals
- And especially, no processed foods.
When I first looked at these rules, I thought that it was going to be extremely difficult to follow, especially living at college. Eating healthy isn’t cheap, but paleo food isn’t expensive either. If you think about it, you’re actually cutting out a lot of food that you would be buying at the grocery store, so it may actually save you money in the long run. And although fresh fruit and vegetables are expensive, this may not be the best way to buy them. Fresh fruit and veggies began to lose their nutritious value as they are exposed to oxygen. Because of this, I usually buy frozen vegetables, so that they stay nutritious and last longer. They’re cheaper than the fresh stuff, and come in perfect portion sizes.
Cutting out the processed foods is probably the hardest part of this diet, especially when I have roommates that eat junk for every meal. However, after seeing the quick results this diet has had, resisting processed foods is that much easier. Not only can I tell that I have become leaner and toned in my body, but I sleep better and just feel healthier in general. According to Loren Cordain, Ph.D, who is the world’s leading expert on Paleolithic nutrition, the paleo diet could allow you to lost up to 75 pounds in six months, and prevent and treat heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome and many other illnesses.
Cutting out processes foods has also allowed the little chef inside of me to come out. Coming to college, I bought mostly frozen foods because I thought I didn’t know how to cook. I didn’t think Googling recipes and cooking up meals would be as easy as it is. There’s an abundance of paleo recipes online. Now, I make homemade burgers (without the bun of course), fish, and grilled chicken with no hassle. Not only is it fun to prepare my meals now, but they taste much better than the stuff coming out of the freezer aisle.
If I haven’t convinced you yet that the Paleo Diet is easier than it seems, try doing it with a friend. Like any other diet, having the support of another person always makes it easier because you can both help each other with what you should and shouldn’t eat. My boyfriend has been eating the Paleo Diet for quite some time now, and having him eat it as well is a big help in staying on track. When our friends want to go out and get fatty and fried food, we have no problem staying at home and cooking our paleo-friendly meal.
If you want results that will come quick and won’t fade away after dieting, try the Paleo Diet. Westernized diets are nothing more than food to satisfy your palettes. The Paleo Diet allows you to satisfy your palette while also satisfying your body.
For more information on the Paleo Diet, read Cordain’s book The Paleo Diet, which includes meal plans and foods to eat/foods to avoid.