I was reading this great article from Robb Wolf the other day explaining why the Paleo Diet can be so difficult for some and so simple for others.
I hope you all get as much out of this as I did.
Here is the full article…
For some people, the transition to Paleo is easy. Energy improves, weight loss is easy, digestion clears up and cravings are a memory. Well, other than for perhaps bacon and NorCal margaritas! But I think you get what I mean. For others, the transition isn’t so smooth – and they’re often left wondering if Paleo is the right diet for them after all.
In my work with people from around the world, I’ve noticed three common obstacles to fully adopting a Paleo diet.
Issue #1: Low stomach acid
If you’re switching to Paleo from a standard American diet, or even from a “healthy” vegetarian or low-fat diet, chances are you’ve been eating a lot more carbohydrate and a lot less animal protein. This can lead to a decrease in stomach acid production, which in turn reduces the output of digestive enzymes required to breakdown and assimilate everything we eat. Digestive signaling starts from “the north” end of things. If the stomach is not functioning properly, things downstream do not work well either.
When you switch to a Paleo diet your digestive system can go through a transition period while you’re “re-training” it to eat more nutrient-dense foods. If your stomach acid and enzyme production are low, this can be quite a shock to the system. I think I mentioned previously that I really benefitted from digestive support and have used digestive aids for years, particularly when traveling or under a lot of stress.
Issue #2: Sugar cravings and energy dips
It’s not uncommon to experience intense sugar cravings and energy dips when you first transition to Paleo. This makes perfect sense from a scientific perspective: your body has become adapted to burning carbohydrates for energy, and it takes time to make the switch to burning fat as the primary energy source.
When your energy dips, your body craves quick sources of energy – usually sugar and other carbohydrates. This can make sticking with a Paleo diet (getting off the crack) pretty difficult. Luckily, this was never a problem for me although I have seen a lot of clients in our gym want to do some terrible things to me while they were transitioning.
Issue #3: Nutrient deficiencies
Some people do see amazing results immediately after adopting a Paleo diet. But often your body has some catching up to do before you’ll begin to see these more tangible results.
Both the standard American diet and plant-based, low-fat or vegetarian diets are deficient in key nutrients that keep your body in balance and functioning smoothly on a cellular level. These cycles control important process like energy production, detoxification, and hormonal balance.
If any one of these cycles is disrupted, the symptoms of that imbalance could mask any progress you make as you transition to a healthier diet. In short, it may prevent you from enjoying the benefits of your efforts.
What are some struggles that you have or want to overcome when changing your health for the better?
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I hope you all had a very merry christmas!
Fit Chic