Now that you’ve read about the good, the bad, and the yummy, it’s decision time. Is this the right diet for you?
For better or worse, food is a big part of who we are. Our family and social lives often revolve around it. It’s the trigger for how we feel about our health, our bodies, and ourselves. It impacts everything from the way we think to the physical activities in which we choose to engage. For that reason, it’s worth taking some time to think about how we want to live. Not just “I want to be thin,” but also “How am I going to think about and relate to food for the rest of my life?”
That’s kind of a big deal. And it’s why, unlike other diet books that claim, “Yes! This is the perfect diet for everyone!” I’m okay with putting it out there that a Paleo Vegetarian diet is not for everyone. There probably isn’t a diet out there that you can’t lose weight on, assuming you can hang with the rules. But diets that rely on calorie restriction and leave us feeling hungry and deprived rarely work. At least, not long-term. The Paleo Vegetarian diet is simple in that you eat whole, nutritious foods that nurture your body, fill you up, and make you feel good. It’s a challenge, however, because we live in a society that relies on prepackaged, fast-food convenience, and Paleo Vegetarianism doesn’t fall into that box.
You may think you know just from reading this book whether Paleo Vegetarianism is a sustainable way of eating for you. However, the very fact that you picked up this book indicates food, your health, and your diet are important factors in how you chose to live your life. For that reason, even if you’re undecided, give it a whirl. The best (and really, only) way to determine if this way of engaging with food works for you, your lifestyle, and your goals is to commit to a time period—one month, three months, six months—and see how it goes. Measure your results in inches lost, your energy level, and how you feel. Chances are, once you start, you’re not going to recognize the soft, sluggish, carbohydrate-overdosed individual you used to be.
However, let’s play fair. Below are some areas to monitor as you move forward with the PV plan. These areas are hurdles most people switching to a PV diet deal with. There are ways to move through each of them, but it may be you find yourself stuck in one or more. If you can’t move past them, it may make sense for you to consider a different way of eating. Don’t jump to conclusions, but do keep these areas in mind and use them as a basis for evaluating whether or not the Paleo Vegetarian diet is right for you.
MORE ENERGY. Any diet that leaves you feeling lethargic and drained won’t work long-term. Assuming you’ve made it past the carb-flu stage, you should be experiencing a noticeable increase in your energy levels. This is the transition from being a sugar-burning to a fat-burning beast that we’ve discussed. If after months of eating PV you find yourself drained and tired, something’s off. It may be you’re not getting enough carbs, protein, or healthy fats. Make some adjustments to see if adding more carbs like sweet potatoes or more protein does the trick.
NO TIME TO COOK. Maybe you’ve identified you’re not getting enough protein or healthy fats. But if the problem is your schedule doesn’t allow you the time to plan and cook to get the balance of foods you need for your body to feel good, this may not be the diet for you. Cut yourself some slack on this, though, before you make this a reason to leave the plan. It takes time to establish cooking and go-to recipe routines. Once you know what to eat, cooking your PV meals truly does go a whole lot faster.
GAUGING HUNGER. I refuse to go through life hungry and you should too. Simply put, it’s just a miserable way to live. If you find yourself constantly hungry on the PV diet, you’re doing it wrong. (See how I put the blame on you, not me? I’m so clever.) Fortunately, the fix is simple: Eat more. While PV is not a free-for-all food fest, the fact that you’re eating whole, natural foods that are heavy on vegetables means you can—and should—eat enough to satiate your hunger. There is no calorie counting, and as long as you’re keeping your sugar intake low, you can eat to your satisfaction and still lose weight. The key here is learning to differentiate between true hunger and the sneakier “Ooh, that sounds good and I want some” hankerings. Listen to your body and let it tell you if you’re really hungry or if it’s just an in-the-moment craving.
FEELING DEPRIVED. There’s a difference between feeling hungry and feeling deprived. Hunger is a physical need. Feeling deprived is a mental/emotional aspect that often accompanies changing our diet. It’s normal to feel deprived at the start of a diet that requires a major change in your eating patterns. That’s why the Paleo blogs are filled with people reminiscing about pancakes. You may have experienced a feeling of deprivation when you went vegetarian and your plate suddenly looked empty without the big portion of meat or fish to fill it up. But once you adjust to the lifestyle and find your way around the foods and new meals you’ll create, that feeling of deprivation should subside. If it doesn’t, take a closer look at why not. Are you eating enough fat and protein to fill you up? Are you still seeing food as a reward or punishment instead of as a nourishment for your body? Are you “cheating” a little too often, not allowing your body to transform from sugar burning to fat burning and therefore keeping the sugar cravings in place? If you’re consistently feeling deprived, it’s worth tracking your food intake and mood for at least a week to see if you can pinpoint what’s triggering these feelings, allowing you to find workarounds to overcome them.
LOSING INCHES AND FEELING FIRMER. It’s hard to step away from the scale but please, please try. It’s such an arbitrary number; especially as good, healthy (sexy!) muscles weigh more than even being skinny-fat. Instead of judging progress by a number, take your measurements or a photo before you start PV and then revisit on a monthly basis moving forward and judge results that way. Wouldn’t you rather be a firm, sculpted 145 pounds versus a soft, bloated, and jiggly 130? The PV diet isn’t about tricks or quick water-weight loss. We’re after long-term sustainable health that empowers your body to conquer whatever you place before it. Badass takes time. Keep that in mind.
ALIENATING FRIENDS AND FAMILY. There’s no question that eating PV is going to set you apart from friends and family, at least in terms of what you eat. Sometimes, there are greater consequences. A spouse might apply pressure or guilt about why you can’t eat what the family eats. Coworkers may gently (or not so gently) mock you. You may grow tired of the raised eyebrows or having to explain yet again what you do and don’t eat and your reasons behind it. All of this can cause stress. And too much stress can wreak havoc on even the best-laid plans for our bodies. If you’re constantly fighting battles and feeling like your diet is coming between you and the people you love, maybe this isn’t the plan for you—at least right now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take portions of what you’ve learned (limit the grains and sugar) and apply it until you’re in a better place to circle back around and go all-in.
HOW DO YOU FEEL? Ultimately, the best measure of any diet is how it makes you feel. Do you feel stronger, healthier, and more energized? Do you feel your body responding in a positive manner to the changes you’re making? Do you feel proud of yourself for taking care of your body and mind, and laying the foundation for a healthy future? Do you enjoy the foods you’re eating? While the answer may not be “yes!” 100 percent of the time, it should be “yes” more often than not. We eat to feel healthy, happy, and strong. Make sure your way of eating makes you feel that way.