My 30 day Paleo lifestyle challenge!

I am not going to criticize you for trying to eat closer to nature, or for calling it "Paleo", as I have no problem with that. I say, find what works for you and do it.

But, for the love of Pete, PLEASE do not compare yourself to a vegetarian. A vegetarian (at least none of the ones I know) does not EVER have an occasional day where they "treat" themselves to meat. Most do it for ethical reasons and don't feel that "oh, today it's ok to kill a pig because I am craving bacon".

There's a lot of variety in what anyone calls "clean" or "paleo" and there's precious little science behind any of them. Where aiming toward clean or paleo eating is positive is in their efforts to eat minimally processed foods. Arguably, none of the plant-based foods we buy at the supermarket or farm stand are truly "paleo" because much formal and informal hybridization occurred through time to change them.

Many (but not all), processes damage the nutrients in many (but not all) foods. Many (but not all) processed foods contain added or artificial salts, sugars, fats, and other chemicals that (may) be hazardous to your (but not everybody's) health.

All of it is murky. No one knows whether sweet potatoes are "paleo" or not because there is no proven scientific basis to a specific "paleo" diet but, certainly, a baked sweet potato is better for you than fast food french fries.

No I just think people being negative is just pointless when someone is clearly trying to make a positive change. I must have misunderstood the supportive community that is advertised on my fitness pal.

Its no longer found here.

I have found if you are not with the mainstream way of eating processed, packaged - manufactured foods, then you will indeed get bashed.

My Dr used to recommend this site to people and he has stopped because he reads on here and he said it is no longer the supportive community it was. He is recommending people over to Spark people now.

Paleo does not mean eating whatever people in the paleolithic era ate. It was simply inspired by the idea that those ancestors probably did not eat much processed food or grains.

Our ancestors DID eat a lot of grains

What they didn't eat was butternut squash and bacon.

I live a 80/20 paleo lifestyle now after being pretty strict into it last year. It was so helpful to me and I am so glad I found it. I now do it about 80/20 with some non paleo things added in (greek yogurt, feta cheese on occasion and 2 scoops of protein powder). For all the "its not paleo people"... I just call it the "BECS SORT OF PALEO EATING PLAN". Ha.

I don't eat any bread, white potatoes, pasta, rice etc at my home or at work. I have a cheat item every once in a while in a corn tortilla etc when out with friends. Oh and BEER when I go out. Also when I eat with my family I eat what they serve. I don't want it to be an issue. It has been a really good experience for me and I hope it is for you too.

Paleo does not mean eating whatever people in the paleolithic era ate. It was simply inspired by the idea that those ancestors probably did not eat much processed food or grains.

Our ancestors DID eat a lot of grains

What they didn't eat was butternut squash and bacon.

Cool, it's a good thing I already explained that the paleo diet took inspiration from the idea and isn't a history lesson.

The issue people have is that the inspiration is arbitrarily applied to some foods but not others which meet the exact same criteria, and that same inspiration does not match up with what we know of the diet of the paleolithic era. It's a made-up diet based on fiction.

Well thanks for your comments but please don't post if this is just a dig at paleo. The reason I have chosen this style of eating is because it allows you to eat good healthy whole foods. Like I said still have treat days but everything in moderation. Obviously not everyone agrees to this style of eating but for me personally it just makes sense and this is why I am giving it a trial.

Here is the list of vegetables that are good for Paleo eaters and also a list of nuts. This is off the Ultimate Paleo guide. So to the above poster I am not sure where you found for info but I have searched severe sites which all allow sweet potatoes and almonds. Thanks for pointing it out though.

Asparagus
Avocado
Artichoke hearts
Brussels sprouts
Carrots
Spinach
Celery
Broccoli
Zucchini
Cabbage
Peppers (All Kinds)
Cauliflower
Parsley
Eggplant
Green Onions
Butternut Squash
Acorn Squash
Yam
Sweet Potato
Beets

Almonds
Cashews
Hazelnuts
Pecans
Pine Nuts
Pumpkin Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
Macadamia Nut
Walnuts

You say Paleo " allows " you to eat healthy food, which I think is a good thing. However , I think that any healthy food you chose is a good thing no matter what label you give them.
I eat a diet based on natural and minimally processed ( especially not industrially or chemically processed ) foods. They are all " healthy & natural ", but need no label. I find any diet that has a specific name too restrictive for me, even though I am someone who choses not to eat anything that falls into the 20% of " not-so-healthy " foods that most people need to be able to comply with the 80% they eat Paleo style.
I personally do not understand the cheat & treat days from a certain diet, because I believe we either adjust to a new lifestyle, or we don't. It's like saying someone is a vegetarian, but they eat chicken.
I eat none of the nuts and seeds you mention in your list ( not because I consider them unhealthy, but for me they are too calorie dense and because in the country were I live they are a very expensive luxury food ), but eat many, many more foods that are all natural and healthy....I would find the Paleo diet very restrictive, but think it is great of you like it and feel better than you did before, because that is the only thing that really matters. I just feel that all those labels really box us in and if we step outside of the box most people feel like they have to defend their choices.....something I am not willing to do....at least not based on the name/label of a specific diet.
If anyone is interested in what I eat and why, I am very willing to share ........even though what works for me ( for example, I am a volume eater ) might not work for most people .