The paleo diet has become one of the latest fitness ‘crazes’ around. Those who have adopted it swear by its effectiveness and extol its life changing benefits. Others however, feel like it is better suited for feral cavemen.

So what is the paleo diet?

The paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet, is a nutritional plan similar to what our early ancestors who lived during the Paleolithic era followed. Basically, the consumption of natural foods such as fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, fruit, fungi, eggs, vegetables, roots, and nuts. The diet excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, potatoes, refined salt, refined sugar, and processed oils.

Is it effective?

Definitely. It is an extremely healthy diet and the health benefits are many. This article will highlight 5 paleo diet tips you should be aware of to help you get the best out of this fantastic way of life.

1.    Use spices effectively and wisely.

Since the paleo diet does not allow for sauces and other refined products, you will need to learn how to use spices effectively to season your food. One of the major causes for people giving up the paleo diet is due to the fact that the food tastes bland.

This is true if you do not use spices to flavor your food. The East Indians are very good at using spices to prepare their dishes. The food is aromatic, tasty and the spices have various medicinal properties too. So, learn how to flavor your food using spices.

2.    Vary Your Veggies

Consume a wide variety of vegetables. It is common to just stick with one vegetable and go by a week eating only that. Since most people who adopt the paleo diet buy their food in bulk, it’s so much easier to just dump four large broccolis in the cart and walk to checkout. If you do that, you’ll be missing out the benefits that other veggies will bring you.

Consume different vegetables of different colors. Kale, spinach, cabbage, eggplant, carrots, etc. are all excellent choices. Do try them.

3.    Precook Your Food

The best way to stay focused on your paleo diet will be to pre-cook your food in batches and keep them in the refrigerator. It is advisable to cook for 3 or 4 days in advance. Preparing paleo meals is fast and easy. So, you can do this once or twice a week.

When your food is all prepared and ready, it is much easier to just take a pre-prepared meal to work. The idea of cooking daily is can be quite demoralizing. Being unprepared or if you’re suddenly short on time will lead to difficult decisions and you may even have to eat food you’re not supposed to.

4.    Don’t Create Temptation

Do not keep junk food such as ice-cream, cakes, chocolates, etc. in your house. You will be tempted and that makes things much harder.

5.    Learn To Make Paleo Smoothies and Other Treats

The paleo diet is not a boring one. It is slightly restrictive but there are many recipes available online that will teach you how to make smoothies and even ice-cream to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Learn more and try more recipes out. Knowledge is power and with the knowledge, you will be able to make your paleo lifestyle fun, sustainable and rewarding in the long run.