Nowadays, people are more conscious of their dietary choices. As much as possible, they want to incorporate food that is suitable to their lifestyle requirements. However, with many diet programs on the rise, it can be quite tricky to choose the one that best matches your priorities and certain preferences. Low-carb diet programs such as keto and paleo are trending for their numerous health benefits. Are you confused about whether to go with Keto or Paleo? We hear you! Here is what you need to know.
Keto Vs. Paleo 101:
Keto and paleo diets have easily become one of the most popular types of diet mainly due to their convenience. For instance, most food products under these diets are easily accessible and can be found in most grocery stores. Also, with an array of success stories circulating around the Internet, no wonder why more people want to try out these two trendy programs.
The Keto Diet - Things You Need to Know
The keto diet prioritizes foods full of wholesome fats, adequate amounts of protein, and some carbohydrates. This diet emphasizes cutting carbs that are easy to digest to prevent a spike in blood sugar and better regulate the calories you store. When you’re able to manage your caloric intake, your body will be compelled to lean more to burn healthful fats and sustain your energy needs.
Paleo Diet - An Overview
On the other hand, the paleo diet is a type of eating plan that focuses on eliminating processed and high-fat sources with little to no nutritional value. Also called the ‘caveman diet,’ paleo is believed to be a healthier alternative to prevent certain illnesses caused by modern food sources. By ruling these out from your diet, you might enjoy several health benefits, including weight loss.
Food Sources Common In Both Diet Plans:
While you might think that keto and paleo are different, both actually have similarities that allow you to either follow or combine the two diets. As suggested by websites like eatpropergood.com, both diet plans focus on removing processed food and added sugar while adding healthy fats and whole foods.
If you’re currently weighing which diet plan you want to adopt, here are three essential components common to both, so you won’t have to change your diet drastically:
- Nuts And Seeds
While it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly what the stone-age ancestors consumed regularly, a lot of researchers believe their diets include an array of whole foods, including nuts and seeds.
Most nuts and seeds are low in carbohydrates and high in wholesome fat, which makes them the most appropriate match for both keto and paleo. Keto and paleo-friendly nuts such as almonds, macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts may also help reduce insulin levels and promote a healthier weight. For seeds, this includes, but is not limited to flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and more.
Both nuts and seeds are versatile and straightforward ingredients you can either snack directly or add to your daily meals. For instance, you can top your favorites into your fruit bowl or add them to your vegetable salad for an extra crunch.
Apart from these ready-to-eat food sources, there are brands that offer tasty and nutritious options that you can check out on their website. Looking into other food products allows you to have more choices, especially for the on-the-go professionals.
- Non-starchy Vegetables
People who follow either keto or paleo diets consume non-starchy veggies to meet their daily carbohydrate requirements. While paleo allows more variety, it might be best to stick to the common non-starchy vegetable sources. These include but are not limited to leafy greens, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, celery, zucchini, and more.
Most people tend to throw all these veggies into a bowl and make a filling salad for lunch. However, you can also take a look into quick recipes that incorporate these and similar keto- and paleo-friendly food sources.
- Healthy Fats
The keto and the paleo diet are all about healthy fats. Hence, extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil can be included in your shopping list, as these are rich in wholesome fats.
Moreover, olive oil and avocado oil’s fat content is mostly monounsaturated fats, making them healthier alternatives. The fatty acid in coconut oil comes from lauric acid, which is known to be the easiest type of acid to digest. Coconut oil is also vegan and is rich in antimicrobial properties.
Aside from the fact that these oils are loaded with wholesome fats, they also contain several nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These oils can also be used as salad dressings, for cooking, making homemade mayonnaise, and others.
The Takeaway
Knowing that both keto and paleo diets have some things in common, will help you decide which plan suits you more. By studying what’s in this guide, you can have an idea of the types of food you can add to your next meals.
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