The Benefits and Challenges of Going Paleo

After working for The Paleo Diet® for almost three years, I decided my time was overdue to try going Paleo. Although I’ve tried numerous Paleo recipes at content shoots and help develop recipes myself, I’ve never gone fully Paleo.  

I scavenged The Paleo Diet website for some of my favorite recipes we’ve created and made a loose menu for my 10 days of going Paleo. I figured it would be easier to stick with the plan if I had my meals organized for the week, including lunches for the three days I’d be in the office.  

Knowing that The Paleo Diet allows for following the 85/15 principle, I decided to reserve my 15% of non-Paleo foods for the weekend. This way, I could enjoy dinner and drinks with friends without feeling too restricted. 

I was pretty nervous the night before about what was to come in the next 10 days as I completely changed my diet. Lots of amazing health benefits, of course. But would my food taste bland? Would I be hungry all the time? Would I have enough energy? Only time would tell. 

Challenges of Going Paleo 

Let’s get one thing straight—the benefits absolutely outweighed the challenges. That said, I did encounter a few obstacles during my 10-day Paleo journey. 

Making Time to Cook and Clean 

After a long day at work, cooking isn’t at the top of my list. I like to decompress for a bit, take my dog for a walk, and then either attend a workout class or go for a run. By the time I’m hungry and ready to start cooking, it’s already pretty late. 

During my 10-day Paleo stretch, I made extravagant meals from scratch. While they were wholesome and tasty, they took three times as long to prepare as my usual dinners. By the time I finished cooking, cleaning, and eating, it was so late that all I wanted to do was crawl into bed. 

However, this is where meal planning and prepping comes into play. Before my 10-day Paleo challenge, I prepped freshly squeezed juice and egg bites, which helped, but I could have done more. Pre-washing and properly storing my fresh produce, for instance, would have saved me a ton of time in the kitchen.  

RELATED: DIY Produce Wash 

Sugar Withdrawals 

I went Paleo cold turkey for 10 days. Instead of easing into it by gradually cutting back on sugar, salt, and dairy, I completely eliminated these food groups and ingredients starting on day one—and it was a struggle. Mentally, I was able to handle it, but physically, I started experiencing minor headaches from the withdrawals. 

I don’t consider myself someone who consumes excessive amounts of sugar, but this experience made me realize just how much sugar is hidden in the foods I eat daily. Despite the challenge, I’m glad I faced it because I’m now more mindful of what I eat and how much sugar is really in my diet. 

The headaches eventually dwindled down, but never fully went away. Trevor Connor, CEO of The Paleo Diet, explained to me that after two weeks of going fully Paleo, not only will the headaches disappear, but sugar cravings will also fade. You will see and feel the full benefits of no sugar after 14 days.  

Expensive Ingredients 

I was fortunate to bring home leftover ingredients from past content shoots, like coconut flour, almond flour, and arrowroot starch—items that can be quite pricey. 

A great way to make going Paleo more budget friendly is to plan meals that use the same ingredients across multiple recipes. This approach not only saves money but also helps reduce waste. 

Benefits of Going Paleo 

Now for the best part, the health benefits of going Paleo! Keep in mind that I only tried The Paleo Diet for 10 days, if I had gone two weeks or longer, there would be even more health benefits.  

Reduced Bloating 

One thing that surprised me almost immediately was the noticeable reduction in bloating in both my stomach and face. I hadn’t realized how much bloating I was carrying in my cheeks until I cut out dairy, grains, and sugar.  

The changes made my face look healthier and gave me a confidence boost—knowing that with just a few simple adjustments to my diet, my jawline and cheekbones could become much more defined. 

Clearer Skin 

I’ve struggled with bad skin ever since puberty. No matter what products I’ve tried or doctors I’ve consulted, nothing ever seemed to truly work. My family and I eventually chalked it up to bad genetics. While my skin improved with age, it was never perfect. 

However, when I went Paleo, I saw some major changes in my skin health. After about a week, my skin was glowing. The texture became smooth and youthful, and nearly all my impurities disappeared. I had always known that dairy could negatively affect skin, but seeing such dramatic results was astounding—it felt amazing to see my skin glowing. 

Improved Energy Levels 

It might sound dramatic, but during my 10 days of going Paleo, I felt like my eyes were more open and alert. My energy levels became more consistent, thanks to the nutrient-dense foods I was eating. With stabilized blood sugar levels and the absence of high-glycemic load carbohydrates and sugar in my diet, my body thrived on the nutrients I was providing as fuel. 

Yes, I still had my cup of coffee to start the morning. Coffee can be included in your Paleo diet as long as your body isn’t sensitive to it and can metabolize it at a healthy rate. However, around 2 p.m. (when I would typically reach for my second cup of caffeine for the day) I found myself cruising on with my work, fueled by the energy still flowing through my body. 

Under Eye Bags Were Reduced 

As I’ve been getting older, I’ve grown more concerned with the bags that have taken residency under my eyes. The amount of eye creams I have tried is astronomical, but none have made a noticeable difference. However, after just a few days of going Paleo, I began to notice those bags starting to fill in. This was another thing I was not expecting but was thrilled to see.  

RELATED: I Tried The Paleo Diet for 30 Days and Here’s What Happened 

My Favorite Paleo Meals 

As I mentioned before, one of my main worries was that everything I ate was going to taste bland. But I discovered several delicious meals that I have now incorporated into my regular diet. 

Getting Started with The Paleo Diet 

If you are nervous to start or try a new diet, don’t be! I learned so much about my body and how food really plays a big role in your overall health. You don’t have to go cold turkey like I did, you can ease your way into it by slowly taking non-Paleo foods out of your diet.  

Our Resources page is also a great place to start on your Paleo journey. Just download one of the following resources to help you with going Paleo, whether as a short-term experiment or a long-term lifestyle change.