The idea behind a Paleo diet is that you avoid foods that cause gut irritation, chronic inflammation, hormone imbalances and insulin sensitivity issues.  This means avoiding all grains, legumes and dairy products as well as refined sugar, processed food chemicals and modern vegetable oils.  But everyone needs to decide for themselves which foods cause irritation and imbalance in their bodies and which foods are tolerated best and make you thrive.  You may choose to include or to avoid these foods in your implementation of the Paleo way of eating.  Many advocates of Paleolithic nutrition suggest cutting out all gray area foods for a month or two, then adding them back in one at a time and see how they make you feel.  They become especially important factors if you are suffering from an autoimmune disease or have a history of leaky gut syndrome.

The best resources that I have found for all things Paleo comes from Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, who I got to chat with extensively this year at Paleof(x) in Austin.

She is the blogger behind the award-winning blog  www.ThePaleoMom.com, cohost of the top-rated and syndicated  The Paleo View podcast, and New York Times Bestselling author of The Paleo Approach and The Paleo Approach Cookbook.  Be sure to check out her blog post titled, "I Want to Eat Paleo, But I Don't Know Where to Start!"

Give it a try for at least 30 days. You have nothing to lose, and yet so much to gain! If it doesn't work for you or if you don't experience any noticeable changes, then go back to the way you were eating before. It's just a 30-day trial, but I'll bet it makes a huge difference.  The best thing you can do for your health is to find out how the foods you eat effect the way your body functions, feels and responds.

xo,

Angela