I’m sure you’ve heard the diet “grain-free”, otherwise known as paleo, by now. Most people have heard of it, but many are not sure what it is. You might have even asked if grain-free, paleo living is also dairy-free? I’m here to tell you all about a grain-free lifestyle and why it is hands-down the ultimate way to eat and live. Is the Paleo diet a grain-free diet? Let’s discuss.
All about Grain-Free (Paleo Lifestyle). What is Grain-Free, and Why Might it Be What Your Body Needs?
To explain – picture yourself as a cavewoman millions of years ago. There was no such thing as cooking, let alone electricity to do it. So what would you eat?
The answer is anything that you can find.
Is Paleo Grain Free Too?
Yes, eating a Paleo lifestyle is about going grain free. Cavemen and women ate anything they could find to survive: fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and greens made up almost all their diet.
Eating certainly wasn’t a hobby, such as what it was today, but a means for survival – a means to nourish the body and thank it for all it does.
You’re probably thinking – That’s a great history lesson you’re teaching, but what does that have to do with me?
My answer is: It has a lot to do with you, especially if you’re looking for a way to eat healthier, get happier and live longer.
You can do a Google search for grain-free studies in your spare time and learn about the massive effects a grain-free lifestyle has on a person’s health.
But I’ll give you the rundown: it kills depression, slows down or prevents diseases and autoimmune disorders, gives you a ton of natural energy, and provides your body with every nutrient it needs. And that’s not even all.
As a matter of fact, grain-free is so popular these days that millions of people follow it as a lifestyle.
Grain-Free Paleo Lifestyle
Before I get into the benefits, let’s state the hard, cold reality of grain-free – there are NO grains allowed, NO sugar allowed, NO processed foods allowed, and for the most part, NO dairy allowed.
Wait, what did she just say? Yep, you heard it right. Your favorite grains – cereal, rice, oatmeal, crackers, quinoa, bread, pasta, etc., etc. – aren’t typically in a grain-free lifestyle, and there’s a good reason for it. Neither are your sugary treats, prepackaged meats, or yogurt.
Before you ditch this article altogether and tell yourself there’s no way you can do that, listen up. Trust me, your health is in jeopardy if you don’t.
How Glucose Can Harm the Body
The glucose, or sugar, consumed through grains by most Americans is the first reason grains aren’t allowed.
But why?
Grains contain glucose that when consumed, and not used for energy, turns into fat. You can see this example in action by simply looking around you at the obesity epidemic.
Put simply – eating grains can make us gain fat, and being overweight is harmful to every system and cell in your body.
The second way people consume glucose is pretty much straight-up. In their coffee, in their baked goods, in their pantry, in their fridge, and probably most other places you look.
We all know that too much sugar is bad. And frankly, I hate to break it to you, but any sugar that is not natural – like what is present in fruits and vegetables – is bad.
Sugar doesn’t just make you fat. Processed sugar harms nearly every component of your body.
It spikes your blood sugar, harms your liver, and causes insulin dependence, and those factors are only the tip of the iceberg.
Lectins, Glutens…Oh, My!
The second thing we should discuss is the two other things found in grains that also put your health in jeopardy. These evil little things are called lectins and glutens, which pose a serious risk to our bodies.
Gluten is a protein that an overwhelming majority of Americans are sensitive to and leads to a solid number of diseases and disorders.
I’m sure your eyes and ears have been inundated with the term “gluten-free”, and that’s exactly what we’re talking about.
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Grains also contain lectins, but we should probably just call them what they are – TOXINS, which are not meant to be consumed by the human body.
What do toxins do? Prevent your body from doing its job.
What about Dairy-Free on a Grain-Free Paleo Diet?
So is paleo dairy-free?
I know you’re probably wondering what’s so bad about dairy. As part of a grain-free lifestyle, you likely wouldn’t be consuming dairy (many don’t). But don’t worry, dairy isn’t as important as the dairy industry makes you believe.
Can you drink it?
Yes, you can, although many people have an extreme sensitivity to dairy, which causes health problems for many.
Do you have to have it to be healthy and is it considered in the grain-free paleo diet? No on both accounts.
What About Raw Milk and Link to Grain Free Diet?
I do want to mention raw milk and how some grain-free experts suggest it is a benefit to a grain-free diet. Raw dairy contains the enzymes needed to digest it, while pasteurized dairy does not.
Therefore, some people that are sensitive to pasteurized dairy and whose body does not contain the enzyme lactase, to help digest it, may do better on raw milk – if that’s what they choose.
So the choice is up to you and how your body reacts to dairy.
There is no right or wrong answer to paleo being dairy-free. However, most people following a strict grain-free paleo diet avoid all dairy products. It is all bio-individual.
So, if you prefer to go dairy-free on a grain-free Paleo diet, then go for it.
What Can I Eat on a Grain-Free (Paleo) Diet?
Here is a basic list of what you should and shouldn’t be eating in your grain-free diet. However, for more advice on this, please contact me.
Include: Foods To Eat On A Grain-Free Diet
- Grass-produced meats
- Fish/seafood
- Fresh fruits and veggies
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthful oils (Olive, walnut, flaxseed, macadamia, avocado, coconut).
Avoid: Don’t Eat These Foods On a Grain-Free Diet
- Cereal grains
- Legumes (including peanuts).
- Dairy
- Refined sugar
- Potatoes
- Processed foods
- Salt
- Refined vegetable oils
What’s Important to You When Going Paleo or Grain-Free?
By going grain-free and only consuming natural foods, you’re preventing all of these toxins from entering your body, thereby boosting your health immediately, draining your body of toxins and boosting your immune system so that illness and disease stands no chance against your body!
Going grain-free is a personal choice that only you can make.
But before you eat that next french fry or chug down that soda, be mindful of what it’s doing to your body – creating a perfect environment for disease to enter and thrive.
For tips and tricks that will help you kick grains to the curb for good, visit my blog post here: 5 tricks that will help you live a grain-free life, or read how to keep your grain-free diet interesting.
Have questions or need more guidance on achieving your wellness and nutrition goals? Contact me. Or email me at: admin@EatYourNutrition.com
Let’s Discuss the Paleo, Grain-Free Diet & Lifestyle!
If you have ever tried a grain-free paleo lifestyle, let me know your experience in the comment section below.
You can also connect with me @EatYourNutrition on Instagram. I love seeing your photos. #EatYourNutrition #LauraVillanueva
