If you’re wanting to start a new diet but are on the fence about the many options out there, you’re not alone! These days, books, magazines, and the internet rave about the latest fad diet.
But when it comes to your health, you don’t want to choose just any old diet–you want to choose the one that fits best within your lifestyle.
In this blog post, we’re breaking down two popular diets–keto diet versus paleo–to help you determine which one is right for you.
What does it mean to go keto?
The ketogenic diet is strictly low carb, and in limiting carbs, the goal is for the body to enter a state of “ketosis.”
But what is ketosis anyway?
Under normal circumstances, our body uses glucose from carbohydrate foods for energy. In the absence of glucose, a process called ketosis occurs. This is a state in which the body burns fats instead of carbohydrates as its main fuel source. When you don’t eat carbs, the liver breaks down fat stores to produce energy. This energy is in the form of (and also creates) molecules called ‘ketones’.
Reasons to start the keto diet
There are many benefits associated with the keto diet! Let’s see them.
Weight loss
Because fatty foods take a longer time to break down in the body, people on the keto diet often report feeling less hungry. Weight loss can result from ketosis, as well as reducing calorie intake by eliminating certain food groups.
No more “low fat”
Many diets restrict healthy fats, even the ones that are good for you! But not the keto diet. This lifestyle promotes many high healthy fat foods people enjoy, like red meat, fish, nuts, and cheese.
Health benefits for certain people
The keto diet has been found to reduce seizures in pediatric patients with epilepsy. Endurance athletes and bodybuilders also find keto useful for losing weight in a healthy way within a short time frame.
But you don’t need to be a bodybuilder to see the benefits of keto! Casual gym goers can also reap the benefits of the keto diet and can experience more energy and muscle growth.
Foods that are keto approved
On the keto diet, 5 percent of calories come from carbohydrates, 20 percent come from protein, and 75 percent from healthy fats. But determining which foods are keto-approved? It feels a little tricky but doesn’t have to be!
Here are a few basic foods that are approved on the keto diet.
Fish and seafood
Salmon, mackerel, and tuna have high levels of omega-3 fats, which have been found to lower blood levels and increase insulin sensitivity. Those who frequently eat fish may have a decreased risk of chronic disease, plus improved mental health!
Low carb vegetables
Broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach are all non-starchy vegetables approved on the keto diet. They’re low in carbs but rich in antioxidants, which help protect against cell damage. And, they include nutrients like vitamin C and minerals.
Enjoy your favorite vegetables raw or cooked in a variety of dishes!
Nuts, seeds and healthy oils
Nuts and seeds check the box when it comes to low carb snacks! They contain healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and protein to keep you feeling full in between meals. Olive and coconut oils are the two types of oil most commonly recommended on the keto diet.
What is paleo?
The paleo diet centers around foods that may have been eaten during the Paleolithic era, which was 10,000 years ago. People in the Paleolithic were hunters and gatherers, so this way of eating focuses on lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. It veers away from dairy, legumes, and grains.
Reasons to go paleo
The goal of paleo is to return to a way of eating that’s more like what early humans ate. Farming changed what people ate and established dairy, grains and legumes as additional staples in the human diet. This relatively late and rapid change in diet, according to the hypothesis, outpaced the body's ability to adapt.
The reasons to go paleo are vast!
Promotes lean muscle growth
The paleo diet relies heavily on meat intake, and this can help promote a leaner form over time for those who are also hitting the gym.
Helps you feel satiated
Because it’s focused on whole foods, the Paleo diet helps you keep full after mealtime and when snacking. Paleo consists of healthy fats, which also promote a feeling of fullness and prevents cravings.
Improves sleep
Who doesn’t love the idea of more sleep? By cutting out additives and chemicals, the signal for your brain that it’s time to sleep, serotonin, is not overridden by other chemicals from food.
Paleo foods to eat
There are many food similarities between keto and paleo, as they’re both focused on wholesome foods. Here’s a list of paleo-approved foods at a glance:
- Meats (i.e. poultry, beef, eggs)
- Fish (i.e. salmon, tuna, tilapia)
- Vegetables (i.e. asparagus, mushrooms, brussels sprouts)
- Oils (i.e. olive oil)
- Nuts and seeds (i.e. almonds, walnuts, chia seeds)
- Fruits (i.e. apple, blueberries, strawberries)
Keto versus paleo: which one is right for you?
A big difference between keto versus paleo is that paleo restricts dairy, whereas on keto, dairy foods like cheese are technically approved. If you have a dairy allergy or sensitivity, that’s an important factor to keep in mind.
Otherwise, the two diets are both good for you and emphasize the use of wholesome, nutritious ingredients in meals and snacks.
Keto Proper Good meals
Fortunately, for those thinking about or joining the keto diet, Proper Good meals make it easy! Don’t spend hours hunting for keto-approved foods at the grocery store! Proper Good meals are delivered straight to your door and there’s no doubt about whether they’re keto-compliant or not … we’ve taken the guesswork out for you.
With delicious soups like red pepper meatball, tomato basil, broccoli cheddar, cream of chicken, and chicken and mushroom … you won’t even think twice about being on the keto diet! And dare we say, even notice a difference.
Keto diet versus paleo … paleo versus keto … we hope we cleared up how each diet works for you! Using this information, you can make a decision about which lifestyle best suits you.
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