Recently, about a month ago, I started a program called Paleo Restart because I was having a very difficult time getting all the aspects of my paleo attempts put together. I managed to stay pretty strict with my diet for a good nine days of it. Here are the things I learned about myself and some tricks to truly incorporate Paleo food into your lifestyle:
- I have a terrible snacking habit. Every meal except for breakfast, I immediately look for a snack. Solution: If I feel a need to grab a snacky something, I will grab fruit.
- You really have to plan ahead. A detailed menu plan does wonders. And in my family, where I have two teenagers who want to eat vegetarian, and a husband who expects starches at the table for every meal, I really need to think it through ahead of time. You’ll see my four main meal plans here on this website. Each one can be tweaked to suit your own needs, and meals can easily be swapped around between the days if needed. Solution: Make a detailed plan at least once a week, starting with one that already has a lot of thought thrown into it.
- A well stocked pantry and freezer is essential and can be a life-saver. Solution: Shopping lists are critical. The bulk of your food requirements doesn’t change from week to week, so create a standard list. Check off the things you need as you run out each day. Leave room at the bottom to add in some of the more unusual ingredients that go with a particular recipe you’re trying.
- Make big batches. This is useful because:
- My teenagers bring friends home around dinner time, and spending time with your children and their friends is invaluable/priceless. Knowing you can just set an extra plate or three is less stressful.
- Leftovers make quick and easy lunches.
- A kid can grab a healthy snack after school. Although grains of any kind aren’t paleo, I like to keep corn and flour tortillas stocked up in the house. My son can grab a tortilla, throw it in the microwave with some leftovers on top, roll it up, and have a satisfying snack that will hold him over until dinner. Since I started sincerely following a Paleo diet, we have had healthier snack options in the house much more consistently.
- After about three days, if it isn’t all gone, then finish it up, or freeze it. If there’s enough for another meal for the family, freeze it all together. If not, freeze it in single portions. Remember that it’s there, though, and use them up before more than two months go by. After that, you are likely to look at it and put it back because it won’t look as appetizing any more.
- Try different seasonings. You won’t notice the foods you’re missing if the foods you’re eating are interesting.
- Learn a few recipes really well. This is especially useful for breakfasts when you have less time. Everyone needs some Go To recipes that you know really well, and can throw together quickly and easily. Frequent repeats are not a bad thing, particularly at first. Also, once you have a recipe down, it’s easy to make tweaks and adjustments to bring some variety to the menu.
- Try new recipes. After you’ve gotten the hang of a menu plan, switch it up a bit, and find different recipes to add variety. Your kids will love the return of old favorites, and so will you, but everyone appreciates a little newness.
