The most important work I’ve done in my life has been to inspire others to get healthy. I’ve spread the paleo msg since starting Survivalpunk. Over the years some have listened to that msg. They have decided to follow me down the paleo rabbit hole. Badass! I have emails and text msgs about feeling better and losing weight. Every time I think I’m spinning my wheels with this whole thing they lift me up. You are why I’m compelled to keep on preaching the paleo word. There is another kind of msg I get often though. Is this paleo? Can I eat this? I get those questions so often. I try not to get aggravated though. They are making a huge leap into a world they don’t know. It’s also a mistake on my part for not teaching the bigger picture. So today I’m going to try to teach a little better to help y’all out.

Paleo Flow Chart Is this paleo — Paleo Flow Chart

Is This Paleo? Can I Eat This?

If you have to ask Is This Paleo? then the answer is it’s probably not. Don’t try to justify things. Though we can bend the three rules they are your guides to live by. No grains No Dairy and No Legumes. Those are your rules. If wondering is this paleo look at the ingredients. If it is either grain, dairy or legume then no. Eating paleo means removing as much processed junk as possible too. I tend to eat 85~90 percent of my food as whole foods that have no ingredients. Steak, kale, banana. If your foods are whole foods you are good. We need to eat whole foods. You never have to ask is this paleo with whole foods. You can’t eat grains without processing them. You can drink raw milk and I think you should.

Other Concerns

There are a few more things besides the three rules to watch out for. If you are buying a packaged food look out for things. Sugar is a main item to watch out for when asking is this paleo. Refined sugar in its many forms are bad. Recently a question was asked to me. Is beef jerky was paleo. I responded with “Short answer yeah long answer no.” Dehydrated meat is great and a staple of humanity for centuries. Beef jerky now is loaded with preservatives and sugar. If you make your own or buy from a paleo place like WellFoodco then yes. If from a store maybe not. If you are starving and it’s either beef jerky or a bagel eat the damn jerky. Don’t make it a habit and don’t fret over it.

85/15 Rule

Most in paleo follow the 85/15 rule. Myself included. I follow a paleo diet 85% of the time. I do full fat dairy and grass fed cheese and butter. I don’t have any negative issues with them and like them. Give yourself a little wiggle room on the diet. If you love green beans have some of them. They might be the best example of a legume exception. If I didn’t hate them I would eat them. I am also a big believer in a weekly or monthly cheat day. At first you need it. I’ve skipped the last few months of cheat days. I have had a cheat item or so but nothing big. If I’m at mexican I’ll have a few tortillas. If forced into absolute rigidity most will trash the lifestyle. When asking is this paleo don’t stress out about it. Make an informed decision and move on with life. Make the best decision you can and the results will show.

Recently my co host Mike decided to go Paleo and I’m very proud of him. I can tell he is taking it very seriously and I don’t want him to get discouraged. Never get caught up in the information overload and not act. Don’t let is this paleo bring you down. Look at the ingredients. Make the call. When in doubt eat more bacon. Good luck Mike!