When you first get started on the Paleo diet, or any diet for that matter, one of the hardest things to get adjusted to is the new way of eating. But as hard as a new way of eating is on your tastebuds it is even harder on your body. After all, you have eaten one way for your entire life, if you are decide one day that you are going to change things up your body is sure to rebel. Yes, at the end of the rebellion you will find yourself healthier and more energetic than you ever thought possible but don’t be surprised if in the beginning you feel physical cravings for the unhealthy foods that you are used to eating.
The good news is that you can actually ease your way into a new way of eating. Just a few simple switches in your food will let you take that first step towards a healthy lifestyle without feeling like you are sacrificing your tastebuds to do it. And once you get the hang of these easy transitions you can move onto other easy transitions.
If you are trying to figure out what things you can start cutting from your diet, here are some easy ideas:
1. From Milk to Almond Milk
Almond milk isn’t just healthier than dairy, it is also a great source of protein. Instead of using regular milk in your cereals, smoothies, and recipes try using almond milk. One thing you don’t want to do in the beginning is drink almond milk straight from the glass if you are a regular milk drinker the taste might be too drastic.
2. From Butter to Coconut Oil
Instead of coating your pans in fatty butter, try using coconut oil instead. Not only is this a healthy fat that is good for your body but it is almost impossible to taste. For stovetop cooking, sauting, or just coating the bottom of a pan coconut oil will work beautifully. Note: coconut oil has to be melted to be good., if you throw it into your cake batter in place of butter you might end up with a nasty surprise.
3. From Syrup to Agave
Instead of smothering your favorite pancakes with processed syrup, try switching to agave. Not only is it Paleo but it is also a natural sweetener that will blow you away with its syrupy goodness.
4. From Sugar to Raw Stevia
One of the hardest things about going Paleo is ditching the sugar. Luckily stevia is here to help. Just be sure to look specifically for ‘raw stevia’ as this is unprocessed. If you look for stevia itself you will be getting the processed ‘non Paleo’ stuff.
Remember, getting healthy isn’t a sprint it is a marathon. You didn’t get to the place where you are now in a day, it took years of eating a certain way for that to happen. If you just expect your body to ‘get with the program’ of a new healthy lifestyle you will be setting yourself up for failure. Instead take your time, ease into it, and most importantly give yourself a break. Love yourself enough to have patience with yourself, the end result will be worth it.
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