Your Paleo Template
If you’re here, chances are you’re intrigued by the idea of reclaiming your health. You may have no idea what to do or where to start, and that’s OK. I can help.
Perhaps you’ve already been to doctors who’ve told you that you need to make changes, but you struggle with how to do this on your own. Odds are that you saw a conventional medical doctor, who is generally trained to treat symptoms. Perhaps you’ve been to a functional medicine doctor, although this is less likely, since they’re less common and harder to find. But functional medical doctors look at the root cause of a condition. They will try to prevent you from developing a full-blown disease in the first place if at all possible, or will help you restore your health.
Chris Kresser, whose training program I selected, is a functional medicine practitioner who works with his patients within what he calls a “paleo template.”
In recent years, the paleo diet has been all the rage. However, what we see is that this term means different things to different people. Is it a 100% strict plan, or more like 80—20? Is dairy allowed? What about quinoa or rice occasionally? What on earth IS quinoa?! What if I am a vegetarian? Can I still do it? Ask 10 people, get 10 opinions. (Don’t worry; I will help you sort all this out in ways that will fit best for you!)
Chris Kresser’s “paleo template” respects the fact that every body (literally) is different, and he puts forth that there is no one-size fits all diet plan. It needs to be personalized (again, we’ll figure this out together and go at your pace). Some people tolerate full fat dairy, which does have some nutritional benefits. Some don’t. Some people have no problem eating meat. Some find it objectionable. Some people are allergic to eggs. Some people love vegetables more than others. Some people love liver (one of the most nutrient dense foods out there). Others hate it (hello).
Furthermore, this template includes more than food. In keeping with the idea that we still share most of our genes with our hunter-gatherer ancestors, we also need to consider the impact that sleep, play, social relationships, movement, sunlight, and toxins have on our health as well. These are all part of the paleo template that ideally would be explored when someone is not well. Diet is critical. Food IS medicine. But it’s not the only medicine.
But… if you go to a functional medicine practitioner, guess what the first thing is that they are most likely to suggest you change? Yep, diet. Diet is your first, and often your most powerful tool for reclaiming your health. I can help.
What to learn more? Check out these resources:
