Following the Paleo Diet with Today’s Technology

No diet was searched more last year on Google than the Paleo Diet. Some attribute this trend to the rise in popularity of CrossFit, which promotes the Paleo and Zone diets as preferred meal plans. Supporters of Paleo cite its focus on whole, unrefined foods as making it an ideal choice for a healthier lifestyle. Despite being based on Stone Age staples, Paleo can be made easier with today’s technology.

So what exactly is Paleo? The standard premise of this diet is if the cavemen didn’t eat it, you shouldn’t either. Opt for a diet rich in animal proteins, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds in place of refined sugars, grains, dairy and processed foods. Essentially, if it was around 15,000 years ago, it’s fair game.

There are a number of Paleo enthusiasts that have been blogging about their experiences, along with some great original recipes. Michelle Tam’s Nom Nom Paleo and Julie Bauer’s PaleOMG blogs offer plenty of step-by-step recipes. Even a simple “Paleo recipe” YouTube search yields more than 100,000 results.

There are also a number of smartphone and tablet apps that can help you observe a Paleo lifestyle. As with any diet, sometimes there are blurred lines. That’s where apps like Paleo Central come in handy. With a database of thousands of items, the app helps draw the line on what’s Paleo and what doesn’t make the cut, making this app a handy grocery store companion.

Alternatively, trying to observe the Paleo Diet while eating out at restaurants can sometimes be a challenge since you’re not the one cooking. HealthyOut takes restaurant ingredient information and measures it up against diets like Paleo, Zone, Atkins and more to help you make more informed menu choices without having to ask servers a slew of questions.

Thinking about trying the Paleo Diet or have any tips, apps or tricks to making the transition? Tell us about it on Twitter at @VZWnews.