Are you satisfied with what you’re eating? I think most of us have a pretty good idea of what’s junk and what’s healthy in terms of food, but somehow we’re often left with a feeling that we could do better. Isn’t it time to cultivate a healthy relationship with food?
I decided to adopt a primal diet around 10 years ago, and it’s been a personal journey for me since then as I gradually made a lifestyle change to establish new, sustainable eating habits. I wanted to feel fantastic, and fuel myself with the right nutrients to live, work and play at the peak of my powers. And, I wanted to still enjoy my food.
The more I looked into it, the more I realised that there are many benefits to adopting a primal diet:
- More energy – it was great to leave behind the carb driven cycle of energy peaks and troughs
- Effortless weight loss and maintenance – as you change your eating habits, changes in your insulin levels generally lead to weight loss without dieting
- Better gut health, cognitive function and immune function
- A stronger, leaner body
- Improved digestion, blood sugar and cholesterol levels
- Reduced risk from the disease epidemics of the western world
- A better mood – that one’s a winner both for me and my family!
But, it needs to be simple doesn’t it. The word primal can be a bit off-putting – are we really talking caveman stuff? Well it boils down to six main principles, that tend to reflect how man used to live before the agricultural revolution and definitely before Deliveroo, Ocado and Just Eat 😊.
- Eat more vegetables – A LOT MORE!
- Eat more fat – yes, you heard us) – healthy fat
- Eat good quality protein
- Eat less carbohydrate
- Junk the junk
- Enjoy your food
To help visualise the direction of travel, take a look at this Food for Life Pyramid.
It’s based on a diet of nutritious, satisfying high-nutrient value, low-insulin stimulating natural wholefoods. We’ve all got different tastes, so it allows for flexible food choices and meal habits to suit your lifestyle and what you fancy.
I’m still on my journey. Every day. It’s personal to me. And I’ll still sneak the odd Chinese or Indian takeaway and glass of wine. But it feels great to shift away from running on carbs and quick fix energy boosts.
Where are you in your own journey? You can learn more about our Food for Life nutrition course here: https://ludosprimalwellness.com/food-for-life-nutrition-course/
