The transition to Paleo/Gluten-free was not overnight. I made small changes to get where I am today. The first thing I did was eliminate bread, pasta, cereal, and oats. Over the next few years, I slowly let go of other things like fast food, coffee creamer, and sweet tea. Once you eliminate processed foods, and then go back, you quickly realize how much your body hates them. My stomach would immediately bloat up, or I would get heartburn and headaches. These are symptoms you don’t realize when you eat them daily. Give it a shot if you are experiencing extreme fatigue, headaches, stomach aches, inflammation, or any other ailment. Food is the source of it all! You will be so surprised how much better you feel when you are fueling your body with clean and nutritious food!
I know at first you are thinking, “What will I eat?” The answer is simple to me, but I know it is overwhelming for you, so I wanted to make it simple for you! I will list some non-paleo meals and then some great ideas on a paleo alternative! Also keep in mind, that all paleo really is, is eating real food. Food naturally occurring. You cannot grow cheese-itz, oreos, or pasta. Paleo eating is actually very simple when you think about trying to only eat things that go bad! If it can sit in your pantry for a month and be fine, probably not the best idea! Anyway, I hope this helps, and if you need any more ideas please don’t hesitate to ask.
Breakfast is my biggest meals most days. I try to take in protein and good fats. I stay full longer, and my energy is much better when I take the time to prepare a breakfast. Every morning I eat eggs, bacon or some leftover protein, and some veggies. If you would have told me three years ago I would be eating raw spinach with my eggs, I would have laughed in your face but now it is one of my favorite breakfasts. I cook bacon, fry up some eggs, and put it all over spinach. Seriously, yummy! You can achieve the body you want and eat bacon. Remember moderation. I don’t eat 8 slices. I eat two ok maybe three. Below I have listed some great swaps, and then some bulk breakfast items you can prepare when you are on the go!
Quiche-I love eggs, and I love mixing anything into my eggs, so a quiche is a match made in heaven for me! The best part is you can make the quiche tailored to your favorite foods! I make mine in a muffin tin, and that way I can grab and go!
Pancakes and Waffles- I make my kids paleo pancakes and waffles in bulk and keep them in the fridge for the week! My favorite pancakes are from Nom Nom Paleo called Cinnamon Coconut Flour pancakes. You can find them on her website. My favorite waffles are from Against All Grain. You can find the recipe on her website! They are made with ground cashews and super simple to blend up and pour in the waffle iron. Then my kid’s breakfast and sometimes mine is already made and our day is off to a good start!
Boiled Eggs-Hey, don’t turn your nose up at me! Sometimes you have to eat for fuel! Eggs are the perfect food, and so good for you. Boil them up, and eat them with some hot sauce and an avocado. Boom. Perfect breakfast.
Breakfast Veggies- My favorite breakfast veggies are kale, spinach, sweet potato, brussel sprouts and cabbage. Again, try before you judge! I usually make these veggies during the week for dinner, so I just double up and have them with eggs the next morning!
Paleo Muffins- Again you can make these in bulk and keep in the fridge. Take them to work with a boiled egg and a banana and you are set! I have so many favorites but I am going to tell you the best and easiest baking ideas are on a blog called PaleOmg. Juli is amazing, and hilarious. I love her blog, and she keeps cooking so simple! Try blueberry muffins, hidden veggie muffins, or my family’s favorite Banana Nut!
Bacon and Breakfast Sausage- Sometimes I make a ton of bacon in the beginning of the week, then I toast it up in the toaster over or on the griddle. Breakfast sausage is hard to find with clean ingredients, but it is so easy to make your own. Ground pork with some spices is all you need!
Paleo Breakfast Swaps
Coffee Creamer-I held onto this one for the longest time. I actually just gave it up last summer. Now I use organic half and half because I can tolerate dairy, and liquid stevia which is the only paleo-approved sweetener besides honey. You could also do bulletproof coffee which is insanely delicious it just takes a few more steps! It is coffee, grass-fed butter, and coconut oil Sounds gross but it is like a cappuccino. Sometimes I add coconut milk, and it is so good!
White Flour-The three flours I use the most are almond flour, coconut flour, and tapioca flour. Most cookbook authors are using these three now, and you can achieve and identical and in my opinion better tasting baked good!
Syrup- Please stop buying Aunt Jemima and use Grade A Maple syrup (you know it is real maple syrup) or honey. Low glycemic index and REAL FOOD.
Cereal-Paleo Granola with Almond Milk is just as good! Making your own is simple with nuts, dried fruit, and spices. All you need is an oven and a blender. Cereal is usually all grains, which means it is hard to digest and it spikes your blood sugar. Both things you do not want!
Oatmeal- Steel Cut Oats are gluten-free if you can tolerate them, but I like Danielle Walker’s Banana Porridge Recipe in Against All Grain. Basically a blend of soaked nuts, bananas, almond milk, and spices.
Yogurt- My kids like yogurt and so do I. We all tolerate dairy fairly well, so I just buy a really good brand. I purchase Stoneyfield Greek Yogurt. It has no additives and it is organic. Then I just add what my kids want to it. Usually cinnamon and honey. I also use it for homemade ranch, a substitute for sour cream, or to thicken sauces.
Alright, I hope this helps you get your day off to a good start! Breakfast really is so important. You are starting your day off fueled up and focused. I promise you if you struggle with binge eating or constant snacking, eating a big breakfast will help. You might say you aren’t hungry in the morning, but it is because you have trained your body to not be hungry. You have told your body by skipping meals to go into starvation mode, storing all your food as fat in order to sustain itself through missed meals. You aren’t doing yourself a service by eating twice a day. Intermittent fasting can be helpful for your metabolism, but not every single day. Take care of your temple. God gave it to you to be cared for, not mistreated. It all starts with food guys! You can work out all you want, but if your food isn’t where it needs to be, none of that will matter!