Cook It Up Paleo: That’s the name of my blog, but what is this paleo thing anyway? In a nutshell, paleo starts with gluten-free, and then takes it a step further. A paleo diet removes:
- Grains
- Sugar
- Legumes
- Dairy
- Processed Foods
- Refined Seed Oils
I don’t want to dwell too long on what paleo takes out of the diet, so let me just say that our bodies aren’t made to handle all of the excess carbs, sugar, gluten, feedlot meat and dairy, chemicals, and other junk that we refer to as food. Take that stuff out, and what are we left with? A diet of nutrient-dense, healing, anti-inflammatory foods that helps our bodies to be healthy and strong the natural, sustainable way.
While I am a Christian and do not subscribe to the evolutionary model that paleo is based upon, I think that the science behind this way of eating is solid, and the results cannot be argued with. I technically eat paleo/primal; however, I try not categorize myself as “on the paleo diet.” I believe in real food and taking full advantage of the healthfulness the great variety of foods God gave us.
So how to I define “real food,” anyway? Ask ten people that question, and you’ll get ten different takes on nutrition. To me, real food is whole, unprocessed, delicious, and nourishing in every way. Good nutrition isn’t just about not gaining weight, it’s about giving our bodies what they need to thrive. To paraphrase Jason Seib, no diet works, not even the paleo diet. Good nutrition is not a passing fad or few weeks of deprivation so our jeans fit better. It’s about having an open mind and an insatiable eagerness to be good stewards of our bodies.
I’m no nutritionist, but I do love to learn about food. Below is my food pyramid that I thought many people may find useful in their quest towards more real food knowledge. Tack it up on your fridge for reference.
Want to find out more? Here’s some amazing resources to get you started:
Websites:
Chris Kresser: Chris is so smart, and everything he says is backed my solid research, not dogma.
Mark’s Daily Apple: Sporting articles, recipes, and weekly success stories, Mark’s Daily Apple is a wealth of information.
Balanced Bites: Diane Sanfilippo’s blog, Balanced Bites is home to my favorite weekly podcast. Diane is a wonderful resource because she distills the science down to terms that everyone can understand.
Books:
For a gold mine of up-to-date nutrition and lifestyle info, check out The Paleo Cure by Chris Kresser.
For great nutrition info, amazing recipes, and extensive meal plans for numerous conditions, check out Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo.
For a great paleo primer, It Starts with Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig can’t be beat.
Cookbooks:
I must mention Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo again here, it’s just that amazing.
Everyday Paleo by Sarah Fragoso is full of simple, family-friendly recipes.
Grain-Free Family Favorites by yours truly is full of easy family recipes, and it’s only $4.97!
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