30 days Paleo in India – Day 5: How to Tailor-Make the Perfect Diet
Bio-individuality is a concept I put at the top of the list of all health-building measures. It is what I instinctively realized after several years of trying different health boosting diets and failing each time. It is what drew me to the ancient practice of Ayurveda, and it is what drew me to Metabolic Typing.
In my coaching classes I stress it continuously: the importance of tuning in to your body and its requirements and the need to tailor your eating and lifestyle habits to these unique requirements. Because only when you are able to really listen to your body and respond accordingly will you be on the fast track to full function.
And yes, we do need a bit of help from time to time. Like me at the moment, battling an H. Pylori infection and a compromised digestive function. I am so thankful for FDN for teaching me how to put together an all-natural and high quality antibacterial and supplement protocol that is supercharged with health boosting powers.
I am sure it is partly due to this therapeutic protocol that I am feeling so much better already. Additionally, 4 days of Paleo has led to increased energy levels, deep and restful sleep, better focus and a much (!) better digestion. These benefits came on almost instantly after cutting out grains, dairy and legumes, so quick it is almost unbelievable.
It has not been easy to make the switch but I think that one of the reasons I have been fairly quick to adapt is because I use the concept of bio-individuality in my approach to eating a Paleo diet.
There is a common misconception that eating Paleo style means eating huge portions of red meat. Meat and other animal protein sources play an important role for good reasons but I believe there is no need to start piling your plate high with steak.
Here is what guides me in my Paleo meal choices:
Protein:
Protein is an important part of every meal. Animal protein is the most nutrient dense and complete protein available and it has been the main part of the human diet for millions of years. To ensure you get adequate protein intake, include one or two portions the size of the palm of your hand in every meal.
Rotate your protein sources. My choices are a currently a bit more limited because I was tested to be sensitive to chicken, beef and shrimp but I have the choice between eggs, different types of fish (and I feel very lucky to be living in Mumbai for that reason because there are plenty of options!), mutton, clams, crab, etc.
Vegetables:
Fill the remaining part of your plate with rainbow colored veggies and/or leafy greens in the form of salads or cooked vegetables.
Fat:
Healthy saturated fats are a part of your animal protein sources. (And if you are still under the mistaken impression that saturated fats are not good for you, please read this article). Additionally use healthy fats such as ghee, coconut oil for cooking and olive oil for dressing.
Fine-tune your diet according to your unique requirements:
Some people do well with higher percentages of protein, some people do well with higher percentages of carbohydrates. I myself am a Mixed Metabolic Type, which means I do well on equal size portions of meat and carbohydrates. In a Paleo type diet this means I can include more starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes (which I can’t have since they showed up on my “sensitive foods list”), other root vegetables such as beet, carrots, parsnips, yam, lotus root and vegetables such as pumpkin, butternut squash, plantains, and green bananas. These carbohydrate dense vegetables can be included in addition to all the other kinds of rainbow colored veggies and leafy greens.
I find it very helpful to keep a food journal and record my meals and how I feel physically and mentally after eating them. This helps to soon figure out what works.
Other bio-individual considerations to keep in mind when making such food choices are things like your activity level, weight loss goals, and health issues such as diabetes or insulin resistance.
As far as I am concerned, I have made green bananas my new best friend. They make an awesome flatbread that takes the place of roti with my Indian meals, and toast with my eggs. Or slathered with tahini and a bit of honey they satisfy my need for dessert. Seriously, they’re the best things since sliced bread ;). Recipe to follow!
Here’s to you, me and our perfect uniqueness…
X
Monique
Additional blog posts on my Paleo Experience:
Paleo Lesson 1: Pancakes Have to Go
