Although the Paleo Diet may seem like another trendy weight loss plan, this lifestyle has its roots not only in the Paleolithic Age, but also in science. The Paleo Diet was first popularized in the 1970s by gastroenterologist Walter L. Voegtlin. Voegtlin argued that humans are “carnivorous animals” who would benefit from a diet similar to our Paleolithic ancestors—foods rich in protein and fat with very little carbohydrates. Since Voegtlin’s revolutionary theory, thousands have decided to endorse and partake in more caveman-friendly fare.

Basically, the Paleo Diet promotes fat—and not carbs—as the body’s biggest source of energy. Our ancestors had easy access to meat, and seasonal fruits and veggies. More relaxed Paleo eaters also say small amounts of dairy are fine. The biggest no-nos on the Paleo Diet are saturated fats, wheat, refined sugar, and almost all packages and processed foods. The best part? Bacon has the Paleo Diet’s seal of approval!

As you embark on your Paleo adventure, it’s vital you have tools to ensure success. You’ll need a map, a compass, and beef jerky for the road. Here are seven resources to guide you through the first weeks of your brand new Paleo lifestyle.

1. Get Paleo’s Story Straight: As you dive into the world of Paleo, it’s helpful to understand the history and science behind the lifestyle. Luckily for us, people like Dr. Sarah Ballantyne (a.k.a The Paleo Mom) and Robb Wolf have created foolproof guides to Paleo eating. Check out the Paleo Mom’s simple starter guide. Or, if you want a shorter explanation, look no further than Robb Wolf: What is the Paleo Diet.

2. Learn the Paleo Food Pyramid: Without a proper understanding of what is and is not allowed on the Paleo Diet, a trip to the grocery store can be daunting. You might know the rules, but seeing a complete list of foods that have a caveman’s stamp of approval is incredibly useful. Check out The Ultimate Paleo Guide and Paleo Plan for comprehensive (and super easy to understand) lists of ancestral foods.

3. Tune in to YouTube Channels: YouTube has more to offer than just adorable videos of puppies. Experts and enthusiasts alike create and post Paleo-focused videos on YouTube. A YouTuber simply known as PaleoDiet posts videos about the history and science behind ancestral eating. YouTuberSexyPaleoFood posts videos about the Paleo lifestyle, cooking, and basic tips and tricks to maintaining a Paleo diet.

4. Let Recipe Blogs Make Your Mouth Water: The internet has easily eclipsed cookbooks in recent years. Food blogs are all over the web, and the Paleo Diet has inspired many cooks-turned-bloggers to post irresistible Paleo recipes for the world to try. Nom Nom Paleo is written by Michelle Tam who includes eye-catching step-by-step photographs with each recipe. Sarah Fragoso over at Everyday Paleo posts lifestyle pieces, awesome recipes, and food photography so delicious you can almost taste it. Find a Paleo Diet food website that makes you hungry! Visit it frequently to find new recipes and to stay inspired.

5. Build a Meal Plan: As you become accustomed to your new Paleo lifestyle, picking the right foods will be second nature. But as you get started with the Paleo Diet, having a structured meal plan may be beneficial. Caveman Strong offers Paleo eaters a two week plan which includes meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Robb Wolf also offers up basic meal plans for everyone from Paleo rookies to endurance athletes. You can check out the meal plans here.

6. Adopt the 85:15 Rule: Nearly any Paleo eater will admit that kicking processed carbs was the hardest step towards a healthier lifestyle. While the Paleo world is bursting with mouthwatering bites, the siren song of pancakes at Sunday brunch or a slice of pizza during the hockey game can be impossible to resist. Fortunately, it’s possible to maintain a healthy Paleo Diet and still sink your teeth into jam-slathered toast… occasionally. Many experts recommend the 85:15 Rule: 85% of the time you’re strictly Paleo, 15% you enjoy non-Paleo food. This rule translates to 2 or 3 “cheat meals” each week, or even an entire cheat day every 1-2 weeks.

7. Start Fresh: It won’t be easy, but purging your kitchen of non-Paleo food will help you totally commit to this caveman diet. As you sort through your fridge, you’ll most likely toss expired mustard you didn’t know you had, but you’ll also learn exactly what kind of strange ingredients and chemicals you’ve been ingesting for years! Read each label, recycle what you can, and breathe a sigh of relief once your kitchen is Paleo-friendly.

Originally published at http://www.wodlounge.com/7-steps-eating-caveman-starter-guide-paleo-diet/