Week Five - Is Paleo right for me?
Paleo seems to be all the rage right now...so we wanted to create a section entirely dedicated to it! If you did the elimination diet you at least ate paleo for one week. How did you feel? What did you notice?
'Paleo' is short for paleolithic and is how our ancestors ate a loonnnnggg time ago! The broad focus is on eating real, whole foods and eliminated refined foods. More specifically avoiding grains, dairy, starchy vegetables, legumes, processed foods, and most sweeteners.
The dietary focus is on meat, fish, fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds. Our ancestors were eating paleo until humans began cultivating grains and legumes. The idea is that our bodies have not adapted enough to eating grains and legumes and are best off without - some argue evolution hasn't caught up yet!
The Standard American Diet consists of high carbohydrate, low nutrient, highly processed foods. The benefit of eating paleo ensures you fit healthy fats, nutrient dense fruits/veggies. Highly refined oils and grains can lead to inflammation=root of many diseases. The idea is that paleo could help lower inflammation in your body and lead to great results.
Understand the whys and then decide for yourself - if you try eliminating grains and legumes and you feel better than go with that. If you're able to tolerate some grains or legumes, then that's how we want you to eat. Every body is different so we want you to do what works for YOU.
It is absolutely possible to eat paleo as a high profile athlete but you have to be smart about it. Be sure to check out the section "Eating on WOD days vs rest days" and let us know of any questions!