Is my diet consider paleo?

Q: What Exactly Makes a Diet Paleo?

The paleo diet is built on the idea of eating the way our hunter-gatherer ancestors did before agriculture. That means focusing on whole, unprocessed foods: grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. You strictly avoid grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugars, and industrial seed oils. If your current eating pattern follows these rules most of the time, it can be considered paleo. In my book, I explain how I modified these principles to create sustainable fat loss for people in their 40s and 50s who struggle with hormonal shifts.

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN

What Exactly Makes a Diet Paleo?

The paleo diet is built on the idea of eating the way our hunter-gatherer ancestors did before agriculture. That means focusing on whole, unprocessed foods: grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. You strictly avoid grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugars, and industrial seed oils. If your current eating pattern follows these rules most of the time, it can be considered paleo. In my book, I explain how I modified these principles to create sustainable fat loss for people in their 40s and 50s who struggle with hormonal shifts.

Common Ways People Get It Wrong

Many think “eating healthy” automatically equals paleo. If you’re still including oatmeal, Greek yogurt, or peanut butter, your plan isn’t truly paleo. Even “paleo treats” made with almond flour and maple syrup can push you over the edge if they become daily habits. For those managing diabetes and blood pressure, hidden sugars in processed “paleo” bars can spike glucose. Joint pain often improves dramatically once inflammatory grains and dairy are fully removed for 30 days. Track your intake honestly for one week; most beginners discover they are only 60-70% paleo at best.

Adapting Paleo for Real Life and Hormonal Changes

At CFP Weight Loss, we don’t demand perfection. Midlife estrogen decline and insulin resistance make strict paleo difficult and sometimes counterproductive without tweaks. I recommend a “Paleo Plus” approach: emphasize leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables for natural hormone detox, include plenty of omega-3-rich fish to calm joint inflammation, and time your higher-carb fruit intake around workouts. This fits busy schedules—no complicated meal plans required. Most clients see blood pressure drop 10-15 points and fasting glucose improve within six weeks when they reach 85% compliance. Insurance rarely covers these programs, which is why I designed simple, affordable systems that deliver results without expensive coaching.

Simple Test to Know If Yours Qualifies

Ask yourself three questions: 1) Did I eat any grains, beans, or dairy today? 2) Are my plate choices mostly vegetables and quality protein? 3) Am I using inflammation-causing oils like canola or soybean? If you answered no to the first and yes to the second and third on most days, congratulations—your diet is paleo. For those embarrassed about past diet failures, start with a 14-day reset using my free starter guide. The key is consistency over perfection, especially when joint pain makes exercise feel impossible. Small daily wins rebuild trust in yourself and the process.