Take the next 28 days to try keto, paleo, or Whole30 fad diets
The second quarter of 2022 is here. For most businesses, this is audit season. During audit season, financial professionals take stock of the business’s finances, measuring its needs against its budget and revenue. Of course, auditing is much more nuanced than that, but you get the point - everybody hates Chris. I mean, every business owner hates it. While businesses are auditing, working professionals are scrambling to file their taxes. And the rest of us? Well, we are still figuring out our summer bodies. Because walking into this summer toned and trim is most important, no?
In our last few posts, we shared how to transition your skincare routine from winter to spring, workouts that tone your body in 4-6 weeks, and five foods that you need to add to your diet if you want to have a summer-ready body. Although it is tempting to indulge in a diet fad, remember that the best results take time. Speaking of diet fads, can we talk about Keto, Paleo, and Whole30 diets? If you are clueless about any of these diets, yet want to try them, continue reading!
What is a keto diet?
Back in 2019, the keto diet surged in popularity when fitness and lifestyle influencers touted its benefits. Short for “ketogenic,” keto is a low-carb, high-fat diet. With this diet, you replace all of your carbohydrate-rich foods with high-fat foods. By drastically reducing the number of carbs your body takes in, you cause it to enter a metabolic state called ketosis.
Healthline defines ketosis as “an elevation of ketone levels in the body.” During ketosis, your body derives all of its energy from ketones produced by fat. With a keto diet, you remove alcohol, grains or starches, fruits (except small portions of berries), legumes, root vegetables and tubers, sugary foods, and all of the ‘ish that you love. Then, you replace these foods with avocados, butter and cream, cheese, fatty fish, healthy oils, low-carb vegetables, meat, nuts, and seeds. In other words, if you are vegan or vegetarian, a keto diet may be challenging to follow.
Most proponents of the keto diet suggest that you stick to foods that have a single ingredient, i.e., no additives. The best way to know what’s inside your food is to read the labels of everything you eat. It is easier to follow a keto diet if you plan your meals. There are keto-focused websites that can aid your journey to a ketogenic lifestyle. We found this 28-day keto diet plan by Keto Cycle.
Health benefits of the keto diet
Apart from weight loss, ketosis may help reduce seizures for people who have epilepsy. It may also help reduce blood sugar levels for people who have type 2 diabetes. There could be other health benefits for people with Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome. However, research is mixed. Before beginning this diet, consult a medical professional who knows your medical history and specializes in nutrition.
Why is the paleo diet so popular?
After one fad emerges, a more improved one comes along. If you’re a millennial, think hi5, turned MySpace, then Facebook. Paleo is somewhat similar to keto in that you consume foods low in sugar and high in good fats. Paleo is short for Paleolithic, an era that predates us from 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. According to Mayo Clinic, “a paleo diet limits foods that became common when farming emerged about 10,000 years ago.” These foods include dairy, grains, and legumes.
Proponents of the paleo diet purport that the modern diet is not suitable for the human body. Farming introduced staples that are mismatched with the human body genetically. They believe that this mismatch may cause diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Foods to avoid and eat with a paleo diet
A paleo diet is not that dissimilar to a keto diet. Like keto, a paleo diet calls for you to eat fatty fish, fruits (keto is more restrictive), healthy oils, nuts and seeds, and vegetables (keto is more restrictive). Naturally, a diet designed to help those who struggle with diabetes, heart diseases, and obesity will require you to avoid dairy, grains, high-processed foods, legumes, refined sugar, salt, etc. If you have a sweet tooth and worry that you cannot stick to a paleo diet, this diet allows for natural, unprocessed sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup.
Like the keto diet, we recommend that you plan your meals or subscribe to a meal planning service for paleo-friendly foods. As with any habit, it should take at least 28 days for you to acclimate to this new lifestyle. Be patient and do your best to stick to the diet if you are committed to its results. Some health benefits include improved appetite, blood pressure, glucose tolerance, and weight loss.
Are whole foods a part of the Whole30 diet?
This is not a Whole Foods ad. Most working adults lack the time and discipline to lead healthy lives. Our general focus is on paying bills, staying alive, and not getting slapped for saying something stupid. Heavy on that last part. These are difficult things to do for the average person. After working ourselves to the bone, our bodies often need a reset. That reset may come in the form of a weekend with our phones off, a full-day trip to the spa, or the Whole30 diet.
Whole30 is an elimination diet. It is similar to the keto and paleo diets. Whereas keto focuses on where your body derives energy from and paleo focuses on eating what matches your body's genetics, Whole30 is all about eating clean. Through this diet, you flush toxins out of your body and gain a heightened awareness of how your body, mind, and soul react to what you eat.
Everyday Health states that the Whole30 diet focuses on eliminating foods that cause common issues in the following areas: blood sugar regulation and hormones, cravings and habits, digestion, inflammation, and immune system. By doing this, you not only become more self-aware, but you may see improvements in your digestion, energy, focus, mood, pain management, sleep, and more.
Foods to avoid and eat while on a Whole30 diet
Like keto and paleo, you can eat the following foods on a Whole30 diet: black coffee, eggs, fruits (keto is more restrictive in this area), healthy oils, nuts and seeds, seafood (keto and paleo are more restrictive), vegetables (keto is more restrictive), and unprocessed meats. On a Whole30 diet, you must avoid alcohol, added sugar, bread, dairy, grains, legumes, pasta, and processed foods. In other words, avoid the junk and eat clean!
If you are struggling with deciding what would be best to eat while on a Whole30 diet, it is best to meal plan. This online community offers everything you need to know about the Whole30 lifestyle, including over 250 easy recipes that you can try while committed to the diet.
No matter which diet you try ahead of summertime, remember to stay consistent and do what works best for you. Always read food product labels and seek raw and organic ingredients for everything you eat. Also, don't forget to add our adaptogenic, Ayurvedic supplements to your new diet. We heard that The Good Stuff is, well, good.
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