Want to try paleo, but it seems so BORING.

LaurenAOK
LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I absolutely love a variety of foods in my diet and I've never been one to cut out specific food groups. However, I'd like to give paleo a try, more as a personal challenge to myself than anything else. I've been eating pretty badly lately and I think really cracking down for a month or so would be good for me. Plus, I'd be trying something new, which is never a bad thing. For this reason, I've decided to try the Whole30 program by Whole9 (it's basically just really strict paleo for 30 days). After I finish that I'll probably try to keep eating mostly paleo, but allow myself treats in moderation.

Here is the shopping list for the Whole30 program: http://whole9life.com/book/ISWF-Shopping-List.pdf

Based on those foods, I just feel like I'd be so bored and go nuts after three days of this thing!! I have friends who have done Whole30 and everyone says they loved it and the results were amazing. But I just don't see how anyone could "love it." Based on the shopping list here's how I picture a day of eating:

Breakfast: egg scramble with veggies
Lunch: grilled chicken salad with olive oil dressing
Dinner: steak with broccoli and sweet potato
Snacks throughout the day: fruit and nuts

That doesn't sound so bad for a day at all... but EVERY day? I feel like I'm going to get so bored... How do you paleo people do it?
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Replies

  • dynamitegalxo
    dynamitegalxo Posts: 299 Member
    so you need bread to entertain you? get creative dude.. there are seriously jillions of combinations that you can make.

    learn to love seasonings. chicken can be italian, mexican, greek, indian, whatever. fish, same way. steak and pork can be prepared and seasoned in a ton of ways too. get creative with chia, flax, and other seeds. try new vegetable preparations. add fruits to meat dishes. experiment with a slow cooker or blender. you're only limited by your imagination.
  • CookNLift
    CookNLift Posts: 3,660 Member
    Try mixing your proteins up throughout the day. Instead of eggs and veggies try having steak and eggs. Or making an egg white frittata with roasted garlic.

    You can make baked sweet potato fries. Don't forget to use the fat from the proteins you are eating. You can make a grilled chicken cutlet over a bed of baby spinach with an overeasy egg on top with demi glace from the chicken or beef you've cooked previously as an aus ju.

    You can roast the nuts as a snack or make beef/turkey/lamb/venison etc jerky as a snack as well or some hardboiled or deviled eggs.

    There are a million things you can do. Think of your favorite meals and cravings and attempt to recreate it paleo style. I personally am doing a hybrid of Mediterranean and Paleo bc I love having some sort of grain every once in a while but avoid processed flour products.

    If you ever have some stuff you need help with message me on here and I can give you some ideas. I have been working as a chef part time for over 6 years so I'm always willing to share some insight.
  • RobynLB83
    RobynLB83 Posts: 626 Member
    1) There are other things to entertain yourself with besides food.
    2) Hot sauce.
  • waldo56
    waldo56 Posts: 1,861 Member
    Why would you want to try paleo?
  • CookNLift
    CookNLift Posts: 3,660 Member
    If you have a craving for bread there are plenty of Paleo recipes using almond flour as a substitute that comes out pretty darn close.

    Also, try reading the Hunger Games. I love the series, but if you look closely at what Katniss eats almost everything is Paleo. One of my favorite recipes that is extremely easy to make is:

    Lamb Stew with Dried Plums - Essentially you braise the lamb in stock, add in sweet potatoes, onions, veggies, and dried plums (prunes) and let it slow cook for an hour or so. It is supposed to be served over wild rice, but is plenty delicious to eat on its own.

    Here is the recipe for it from a Paleo Website too! (Just realized I used this as a reference the first time I made it and wasn't doing paleo at the time either!)

    http://paleospirit.com/2012/hunger-games-lamb-stew-with-dried-plums/
  • HannahJDiaz25
    HannahJDiaz25 Posts: 329 Member
    I don't eat paleo, but I downloaded a paleo app called "nom nom paleo" on my I-pad. Its a GORGEOUS app, very well developed and with a ton of paleo recipes. Lots of pictures and takes full advantage of a touch screen environment.
    App cost 6.99, but that's a ton cheaper then the cook books. It gave me a ton of low carb ideas...
  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Posts: 923 Member
    I had bruschetta chicken over zuchinni noodles last night, pork loin with sauerkaut and apples for tonight, stuffed cabbage using riced caulifour in the filling, then spaghetti meat sauce over spaghetti squash noodles and then Thai taco wraps. It is not boring it does require you to do a little work to learn how to cook and eat. Like any other eating plan.
  • sam_the_wicked
    sam_the_wicked Posts: 14 Member
    I have founds ways to make all the things i love in a paleo manner. Here's a list of some of my favorite sites that have paleo recipes. I was going to buy recipe books to cook paleo but there is so much for free online you really don't need to! And any recipe you have you can sub out regular or wheat flour for coconut or almond flour (they each have their uses... i like coconut better and it's cheaper). Good luck... I haven't made the plunge to total paleo but thinking about it. Interested in seeing how you make out :)

    http://www.primalwill.com/
    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-recipes/#axzz2VqRIcHOF
    http://www.elanaspantry.com/paleo-diet-recipes/
    http://everydaypaleo.com/
    http://www.proteinpow.com/2013/04/blueberry-protein-pancakes-egg-free.html
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Spices are your friend. I don't think going paleo is necessary, but it definitely doesn't have to be boring. There are tons of recipes on the internet. Most sauces are off the list, but fresh and dried herbs can really liven up a dish and make one piece of chicken taste completely different than another.
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    Thanks for the ideas everyone!! I'm just used to snacking on things like string cheese, greek yogurt, air popped popcorn, peanut butter toast, etc. As well as occasional treats like ice cream!! So it's just a little hard to fathom eating ONLY meat, fruits, and veggies, you know?

    Also I'm a HUGE fan of The Hunger Games so whoever suggested looking into that, I'm in love with you haha. The thought of eating like Katniss just motivated me like 10000x more :D

    I'm pretty picky about my meats and will only eat chicken, steak/beef and occasionally pork (I used to be vegetarian and most meat still grosses me out). So that limits my options somewhat but I think I can live with it.

    I will check out that paleo app, sounds cool.

    Also, part of the Whole30 program is that since it's only 30 days, you're supposed to not try to "re-create" your favorite foods paleo style. They claim that defeats the purpose of learning to eat like this. I don't know how much I buy into that so I may break that rule :P
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    It doesn't have to be boring, you're just going to have to learn to cook and make things interesting. That said, way to restrictive for me, and IMHO, completely unnecessary.
  • Tiffanylperez
    Tiffanylperez Posts: 6
    I just started paleo yesterday, but I'm already considering changing my mind!! I thought you couldn't have potatoes of any kind or jerky of any kind whether homemade or store bought... please correct me if I'm wrong!
  • mollynz
    mollynz Posts: 3 Member
    I'm two days away from finishng my first whole 30 and feel insanely good! My energy levels are up, daily headaches are gone and I'm well on my way to slaying the "sugar dragon". I know at first it seems that eating this way would be restrictive, but once you start delving into all the different vegetable/spice/meat or egg combinations there are (as well as the myriad of ways in which both vegetables and meat can be prepared) you soon realise the possibilities are endless. Not forgetting that you can add some fruit and nuts to your day too. Have fun with it and go mad with your veggies - I read a lot about paleo being meat based, but I've never eaten so many vegetables in my life! I highly recommend a paleo recipe book called Well Fed. This has been my go to source for all things delicious.

    Anyway, good luck with your whole 30, I hope you enjoy it and the results.
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    Pretty easy to make good food with paleo restrictions. The premise on the other hand, seems mildly absurd.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    Paleo/Primal can be as fancy or boring as you choose. I don't find it boring at all to be so healthy and losing weight effortlessly. A lot of us make so many things from scratch and use lots of tasty seasonings and fats. However, I do not think this lifestyle is useful for a temporary diet at all. It's best as a permenent lifestyle change and, honestly, I love it. But then, I was just about dead when I finally came to a Primal lifestyle so I'm pretty passionate about it. It is not "absurd" to eat whole natural foods. It's absurd that so many people don't think that what one eats affects health.

    Based on your thread title, I was going to say "with your attitude, don't bother" but your post was much more thoughtful than the title. :flowerforyou:
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    It is not "absurd" to eat whole natural foods. It's absurd that so many people don't think that what one eats affects health.

    It's absurd to call it an obviously inaccurate name.
  • laurynwithawhy
    laurynwithawhy Posts: 385 Member
    Why don't you try a more open approach? Maybe eat Paleo during the week, then normally on the weekends? Maybe once you get used to Paleo you can eliminate the non-Paleo days from your diet. It doesn't have to be all or nothing!!
  • sailawaykate
    sailawaykate Posts: 126
    I just started paleo yesterday, but I'm already considering changing my mind!! I thought you couldn't have potatoes of any kind or jerky of any kind whether homemade or store bought... please correct me if I'm wrong!

    Regular white potatoes should be avoided for the most part (very starchy, fairly high glycemic index), but sweet potatoes are totally great in moderation!

    Also, jerky is just dried meat...as long as you're not bathing it in sugar sauce during the curing process (like so much of the store bought stuff is), eat up!

    This is a pretty good resource for newbies to the paleo/primal thing: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/10/04/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet/

    And while the basis of paleo - "eating like a caveman" - is based on a skewed view of how our ancestors lived, there are many benefits to cutting out grains and most dairy, like improved digestion and an increased ability for the body to burn stored fat.
  • Jxnsmma
    Jxnsmma Posts: 919 Member
    wrong
  • CookNLift
    CookNLift Posts: 3,660 Member
    wrong

    ? ?? what is wrong?
  • Kayciemae02
    Kayciemae02 Posts: 58 Member
    I haven't completely switched over, but I really like it. If nothing else, it makes me pay attention to what I'm eating more and be aware when I am eating crap. I made baked chicken fajitas and had them in a lettuce wrap along with cilantro riced cauliflower the other night. Turned out pretty darn good - the fact that my boyfriend had 2 helpings of the rice was incredible! I have a hard time completely diving in to something - I prefer to slowly change over. Once I get a better handle on snack ideas, I may try the whole 30 myself...
    Like others said, there are a ton of recipes online and if you are on Facebook there are a ton of pages that help post recipes all the time! Just Eat Real Food is one of my favorites!! It's not all paleo - but many are. In general they post some great healthier alternatives for recipes!
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    Why would you want to try paleo?
    Exactly.
    It's just another fad diet, and it's based on a flawed premise.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    The original post made me laugh.

    I could be just as creative as a cook restricted to paleo, as I a unrestricted. Sheesh.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    oh, and check out paleomg.com, there's more out there.
  • ChasingKatie
    ChasingKatie Posts: 331 Member
    There is no snacking during Whole30, problem solved.
  • shannashannabobana
    shannashannabobana Posts: 625 Member
    I feel like I'm going to get so bored
    It seems that way when you're starting out, but then you realize you can have a ton of variety. Grains are mostly filler, anyway. Experiment with different vegetables, sauces etc cooked differently. I have been roasting cabbage and it's freaking awesome. I had halibut with a lemon/dill/butter/caper sauce monday night.

    It's not all bacon and eggs.
  • shannashannabobana
    shannashannabobana Posts: 625 Member
    Lamb Stew with Dried Plums - Essentially you braise the lamb in stock, add in sweet potatoes, onions, veggies, and dried plums (prunes) and let it slow cook for an hour or so. It is supposed to be served over wild rice, but is plenty delicious to eat on its own.
    This is going on my list.
    "nom nom paleo"
    I definitely am going to check that out!
    I'm just used to snacking on things like string cheese
    I am doing a little more ‘primal’ which is not quite as strict as what you’re doing but it allows cheese. I snack on cheese, when I snack. Also olives.
    I thought you couldn't have potatoes of any kind or jerky of any kind whether homemade or store bought... please correct me if I'm wrong!
    You can definitely have potatoes, but if you are trying to keep carbs lower you may want to not have too many. Ditto fruit. I don’t know what would be wrong with homemade jerky – it’s just meat. (I’m not doing whole30 though, I understand those rules are quite strict. I’m just inching towards the whole thing)
    It's absurd to call it an obviously inaccurate name.
    What does it matter what it’s called? A rose by any other name and all that. The premise is eating good whole foods as unprocessed as you can, and staying away from grains which some people have problems with.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    It is not "absurd" to eat whole natural foods. It's absurd that so many people don't think that what one eats affects health.

    It's absurd to call it an obviously inaccurate name.

    I wish people could get over the hang up with the name. We humans like to put labels on things. I don't agree that this lifestyle should be called a "Paleo Diet" either, but that doesn't change how my health has improved by living this way. Paleo/Primal/ketogenic does not have to perfectly match what we were eating historically to still have huge benefits. And, I eat quite a bit of wild meat, so I'm happy to accept that I am eating close to what my ancestors ate while still enjoying many of the foods available today.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    I absolutely love a variety of foods in my diet and I've never been one to cut out specific food groups. However, I'd like to give paleo a try, more as a personal challenge to myself than anything else. I've been eating pretty badly lately and I think really cracking down for a month or so would be good for me. Plus, I'd be trying something new, which is never a bad thing. For this reason, I've decided to try the Whole30 program by Whole9 (it's basically just really strict paleo for 30 days). After I finish that I'll probably try to keep eating mostly paleo, but allow myself treats in moderation.

    Here is the shopping list for the Whole30 program: http://whole9life.com/book/ISWF-Shopping-List.pdf

    Based on those foods, I just feel like I'd be so bored and go nuts after three days of this thing!! I have friends who have done Whole30 and everyone says they loved it and the results were amazing. But I just don't see how anyone could "love it." Based on the shopping list here's how I picture a day of eating:

    Breakfast: egg scramble with veggies
    Lunch: grilled chicken salad with olive oil dressing
    Dinner: steak with broccoli and sweet potato
    Snacks throughout the day: fruit and nuts

    That doesn't sound so bad for a day at all... but EVERY day? I feel like I'm going to get so bored... How do you paleo people do it?

    I eat a variety of meats to include bison, venison, free range chicken and wild turkey, grass fed beef (many cuts)......I also eat seared liver, cow tongue, cheek and etc....

    I also eat a variety of vegetables.... all salad vegetables, bok choy, cabbage, zucchini, yellow squash, pumpkin, butternut squash, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, etc.........

    Fruits.....watermelon, berries, cantelope, peaches, apples, bananas, etc.........

    The fruits and vegetables I eat what is in season and available at the farmers markets and in my CSA box every week. Right now we are coming to an end of strawberry season and blueberries are to die for good.

    I have a few cook books if you want to download them for variety and I can also email you a couple of websites that publish their recipes for free.

    Please message me if you want the above mentioned.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    If you wanna do it, just do it. Just get started. As you are doing it more ideas will occur to you and you'll find more recipes as you go along. Don't talk yourself out of trying something especially as a challenge if you really want to do it. Unless you don't really want to do it, which is okay too. IIFYM works fine too. I do that, hubby does paleo. I've lost weight, he's gotten healthier. It's all good.

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