Why the Paleo Diet is Superior to Keto [2023]

If you're on the journey to adopt a healthier lifestyle, you may have come across the terms "paleo diet" and "keto diet" along the way. Both diets have gained popularity in recent years, but which one is better for you? In this article, we'll dive deep into the world of the paleo diet and explore why it is a superior choice compared to the keto diet.

Table of Contents

• What is the Paleo Diet?
• What is the Keto Diet?
• The Similarities Between Paleo and Keto
• Paleo Focuses More on Ideology While Keto Focuses on Macronutrients
• Paleo Allows for Whole-Food Carbs
• Keto Allows Dairy and Some Soy Foods
• Which One Is Healthier?
• The Bottom Line
• FAQ
• Useful Links
• Reference Links

Introduction

As our team of health enthusiasts at Keto Paleo Recipes, we are dedicated to providing you with valuable information to help you make informed choices about your diet. In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at the paleo diet and explain why it surpasses the keto diet in terms of health benefits and long-term sustainability.

What is the Paleo Diet?

The paleo (or Paleolithic) diet is an eating plan that aims to mimic the types of foods our ancestors consumed during the Paleolithic era. This diet focuses on whole, unprocessed foods that our hunter-gatherer ancestors would have had access to. It emphasizes lean meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. The paleo diet avoids foods that emerged with agriculture, such as grains, legumes, and dairy products.

Key points:

• The paleo diet aims to mimic the food choices of our ancestors during the Paleolithic era.
• It focuses on lean meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.
• Grains, legumes, and dairy products are avoided.

What is the Keto Diet?

The keto (or ketogenic) diet is a low-carb, high-fat eating plan that aims to induce a metabolic state known as ketosis. In this state, your body switches from using carbohydrates as its primary fuel source to using fat. The keto diet limits carbohydrate intake to approximately 5-10% of total calories consumed, while increasing fat intake to around 70-75%. This drastic reduction in carbohydrates forces your body to break down fat into ketones, which are then used as an alternative energy source.

Key points:

• The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat eating plan.
• Carbohydrates are limited to induce a state of ketosis.
• Fat becomes the primary source of fuel for the body.

The Similarities Between Paleo and Keto

Although the paleo and keto diets have distinct differences, they do share some key similarities. Both diets aim to promote weight loss and offer potential health benefits. They both discourage the consumption of processed foods and refined sugars, which is an essential step towards a healthier lifestyle.

However, it is important to note that these similarities are superficial when it comes to the overall approach and long-term effects on health and well-being.

Paleo Focuses More on Ideology While Keto Focuses on Macronutrients

One significant difference between the paleo and keto diets lies in their underlying ideologies. The paleo diet is more than just a way of eating—it is a lifestyle choice that advocates for a return to our ancestral roots. It embraces the idea that humans are better suited to eating whole, unprocessed foods rather than the modern diet filled with refined grains, sugars, and artificial additives.

On the other hand, the keto diet primarily focuses on macronutrients—specifically, low-carbohydrate, high-fat intake—to achieve a metabolic shift. While it may result in weight loss and improvements in various health markers, it does not capture the holistic approach to health and wellness that the paleo diet embodies.

Paleo Pros:

• Promotes a holistic approach to health and well-being.
• Aligns with the ideology of returning to our ancestral roots.
• Emphasizes the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods.

Keto Pros:

• Can lead to weight loss and improved metabolic markers.
• Provides an alternative fuel source for the body.
• Is flexible in terms of food choices.

Paleo Allows for Whole-Food Carbs

One of the key advantages of the paleo diet is its allowance of whole-food carbohydrates. While the keto diet strictly limits carbohydrate intake, the paleo diet embraces nutrient-rich carbohydrate sources such as fruits and vegetables. This inclusion provides essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are beneficial for overall health.

Carbohydrates from whole, unprocessed sources assist in maintaining energy levels, supporting digestion, and promoting a healthy gut microbiome. Additionally, the variety of fruits and vegetables available on the paleo diet ensures a wide range of phytonutrients and antioxidants, which are essential for optimal health.

Key points:

• The paleo diet allows for whole-food carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables.
• Whole-food carbohydrates provide essential nutrients and fiber.
• They support energy levels, digestion, and a healthy gut microbiome.

Keto Allows Dairy and Some Soy Foods

Unlike the paleo diet, the keto diet allows for the consumption of dairy products and certain soy foods. While this flexibility may seem appealing, it is important to note that dairy and soy can have negative effects on health, especially for individuals with lactose intolerance or soy allergies.

Dairy products may contribute to inflammation, digestive difficulties, and other health issues in those who are sensitive or intolerant. Soy foods, although often considered a healthy alternative to animal products, can also present concerns due to their estrogenic properties and potential for GMO contamination.

Paleo Pros:

• Excludes dairy and soy products, which can have adverse effects on health.
• Provides alternatives to dairy, such as nut milks and cheeses.
• Encourages the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods.

Keto Pros:

• Allows for flexibility with the inclusion of dairy and some soy products.
• Offers options for lactose-intolerant individuals who can tolerate dairy alternatives.
• Provides a wider array of food choices.

Which One Is Healthier?

When comparing the healthfulness of the paleo and keto diets, it is essential to consider the long-term effects on overall health and well-being. While the keto diet may promote short-term weight loss and improvements in metabolic markers, its heavy reliance on high-fat foods may pose potential risks to heart health and other aspects of long-term wellness.

On the other hand, the paleo diet takes a more balanced approach to nutrition by emphasizing whole, unprocessed foods rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. It addresses not only weight loss but also a wide range of health benefits, including improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and better blood sugar control.

In terms of sustainability, the paleo diet offers a lifestyle that is easier to maintain over the long term. It is less restrictive and provides a wider range of food choices, making it easier to adhere to. The keto diet, with its strict macronutrient requirements and limited carbohydrate intake, can be challenging to sustain for extended periods without professional guidance.

Key points:

• The paleo diet promotes overall health and well-being.
• The keto diet may offer short-term benefits but poses potential risks in the long run.
• The paleo diet is more sustainable and allows for a wider variety of food choices.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, when comparing the paleo and keto diets, the paleo diet emerges as the healthier and more sustainable option. With its emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods and a balanced approach to nutrition, it aligns with the philosophy of our health-focused community at Keto Paleo Recipes.

While the keto diet may have its merits in certain contexts, we believe that long-term well-being and the cultivation of a healthy lifestyle are best facilitated through the principles of the paleo diet.

So if you're looking to make a positive change in your eating habits, we wholeheartedly recommend adopting the paleo diet as a foundation for your journey towards optimal health.

FAQ

Do you lose weight faster on the paleo or keto diet?

Both the paleo and keto diets have the potential to promote weight loss, but the rate at which you lose weight may vary depending on individual factors and adherence to the diet. While the keto diet may produce rapid initial weight loss due to water loss and a decrease in glycogen stores, sustained weight loss is more likely to occur with the paleo diet as it encourages a lifestyle change that focuses on whole, unprocessed foods and long-term sustainability.

What are three disadvantages of the paleo diet?

While the paleo diet offers numerous benefits, it may present some challenges for certain individuals:

1. Limited food choices: The exclusion of grains, legumes, and dairy products may require some creativity to ensure a balanced and varied diet.
2. Expense: The cost of purchasing high-quality, organic, and grass-fed foods that align with the principles of the paleo diet may be higher than that of a conventional diet.
3. Social limitations: Following the paleo diet may pose challenges in social gatherings and when eating out, as it may not be widely embraced or understood.

It's important to note that these potential disadvantages can be overcome with proper planning, education, and support.

Why is the paleo diet the best?

The paleo diet is widely regarded as an optimal eating plan due to its emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods. By avoiding processed and refined foods, the paleo diet supports overall health and well-being. Here are a few key reasons why the paleo diet is favored:

• Nutrient density: The paleo diet focuses on nutrient-rich foods, providing the body with essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
• Reduced inflammation: By avoiding foods that may cause inflammation, such as grains and refined sugars, the paleo diet promotes a more balanced inflammatory response in the body.
• Blood sugar control: The paleo diet emphasizes whole-food carbohydrates and lean proteins, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of insulin resistance.

Keep in mind that individual dietary needs may vary, and it is essential to listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet.

Useful Links

• Keto Paleo Recipes™
• Paleo Diet on Amazon
• Keto Diet on Amazon
• Paleo Diet on Walmart
• Keto Diet on Walmart
• Paleo Diet on Etsy
• Keto Diet on Etsy
• The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf
• The Ketogenic Bible by Jacob Wilson and Ryan Lowery

Reference Links

• The Beginner's Guide to the Paleo Diet
• The Benefits and Risks of the Keto Diet
• Paleolithic Nutrition: A Consideration of Its Nature and Current Implications
• Clinical impacts of a ketogenic diet on mental disorders
• Soy Isoflavones and Estrogen Receptors; Manifestation in Cognition & Parkinson’s disease