Most fad diets come and go, but some—like paleo and keto—stick around because of their benefits. Paleo and keto diets have soared in popularity over the years and help people achieve their weight loss and health goals.
While both diets share similarities, there are significant differences between keto and paleo. Which is better? It’s hard to say because it depends on your goals, physiology, and lifestyle. Let's take a closer look at what makes each diet different.
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What Is the Difference Between Keto and Paleo?
Both diets emphasize eating whole, natural foods and eliminating pre-packaged or processed foods. Whole foods such as lean meats, fresh, green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are key to hitting health goals. Other foods both diets emphasize include organic foods, grass-fed meats, and butter.
While they seem similar, the main difference comes down to carbs. The keto diet excludes natural sugars from fruits and starchy vegetables. These foods are fine for the paleo diet as long as they’re natural or organic.
What Is the Keto Diet?
The purpose of the keto diet is to enter a state of ketosis, which means your body is burning fat for fuel—not carbs. To achieve ketosis, keto dieters keep their carbohydrate intake extremely low, usually under 50 grams. Meat, vegetables, nuts, and dairy are staples of the diet, while sugar is avoided—even from natural sources such as fruit.
Each person is different, so the number of carbs you can consume and stay in ketosis will vary. Even one cheat day can bring you out of ketosis, meaning you’ll have to "start over" again. It’s not easy achieving the state of ketosis. It can take up to a few days and can be a real struggle to maintain. But for those who can stick to keto, they’ve experienced various health benefits such as weight loss, reduction of inflammation, increased energy, and improved cognitive function.
What Is the Paleo Diet?
Before fast food, packaged snack cakes, and even modern farming—people relied on natural food sources. The paleo diet aims to take you back to the diet of an ancient time.
This diet encourages healthy proteins and lots of veggies, too. There are no carb limitations and you don't typically count them unless you are choosing a low-carb version of the diet. This means that you can enjoy fruits and occasional treats made from delicious natural ingredients.
Pros and Cons: Paleo vs. Keto
When it comes to paleo vs. keto, your best bet is first to determine your goals. Both diets tout the benefits of whole foods and healthy eating. But the stringent requirements of the keto diet make it hard for some to follow, and the adjustment period is often difficult. Here are more pros and cons to consider for each diet.
Keto Pros & Cons
Getting enough water and sodium are crucial to the keto diet to maintain your electrolyte balance. Many people on the diet rely on regular testing to ensure they are maintaining ketosis. If you are looking to reduce inflammation or lose a large amount of weight in a shorter period, keto is worth exploring.
Fans of the keto diet include people with chronic inflammation and immune issues or those with gut health problems who have found relief with this way of eating. Keto works for weight loss and many proponents of the diet have tried every other diet out there with no success until they found keto.
Paleo Pros & Cons
If you don't prepare meals at home, are on the road frequently, or eat food with people who aren’t on the same diet, paleo is tricky to maintain. Some people find the paleo diet isn't affordable. The price of whole foods is much higher than cheap, packaged foods or foods with high sugar content and preservatives.
So, paleo is an excellent choice if you can afford to cut preservatives and unhealthy, processed foods from your diet. It's designed for those who want to be healthier and maintain a healthy weight. For an extra weight loss boost, you can always reduce carb intake and increase protein.
Stay Committed, Stay Driven
Starting a new diet is a major commitment. It’s not easy eliminating some of your favorite foods or adding new ones. It’s also best to discuss your concerns and goals with a physician before switching diets. But no matter what your diet is or your goals are, Mdrive can help.
Mdrive helps ensure you hit your weight loss goals without compromising muscle mass. We have several products designed to help you maintain lean muscle and burn fat. Find out which Mdrive is right for you here.
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