Times have been progressing and so have people’s food choices and options. People now are more diet-conscious than they were years ago. New diet forms are regularly evolving- each diet plan promising to be better than the other. Some people believe in eating everything in moderate quantities, while some diets believe in abolishing dairy products altogether! Quite a contrast, you can say. However, two types of diets have evolved and become quite famous over time. One is the Paleo diet, and the other is the Keto diet. Let’s try first to understand what each of these means and then take it from there.
What Is A Paleo Diet?
Paleo Diets are believed to include all those types of food that our early ancestors/ cavemen ate. The Paleolithic epoch spans between 2.5 million and 10,000 years ago and is considered the origin of the Paleolithic diet.
The paleo diet emphasizes the whole, unprocessed foods, such as those found in nature (lean meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds). A paleo diet restricts foods that were widespread 10,000 years ago when farming began. Dairy, legumes, and grains are on the list too. Some other titles for a paleo diet are “Stone Age Diet,” “Hunter-gatherer Diet,” or even the “Caveman Diet.
What Is A Keto Diet?
A Keto Diet is extremely popular these days. It shares many similarities with the Atkins diet and also the low-carb diets. Keto is all about low carbohydrates and high fat intake. To do this, carbohydrate intake must be dramatically reduced, and fat intake must be significantly increased. This reduced intake of carbohydrates causes your body to enter a metabolic state, known as ketosis.
It’s at this point that your body becomes extraordinarily efficient at converting fat into energy. Ketosis is also responsible for converting fats into ketones in the liver. This is used to give your brain all the energy that it needs.
Some individuals have shown reduced blood sugar levels and insulin levels by following a ketogenic diet. This, combined with the increased ketones, offers several health advantages.
Paleo Diet vs. Keto Diet
Now that we know the meaning of both types of diet, it is essential to understand how both are different from each other. You can follow only one of these and hence, it becomes all the more important to know which one includes what kinds of food!
Pros of Paleo vs. Keto
| Paleo | Keto |
| For optimal health, it makes sense to eat a diet of whole foods rather than processed ones. As a result, you lose weight, sleep better, eat better, have better digestion, have better cardiovascular health, have better cognitive abilities, and have more energy. It also lowers the likelihood of developing long-term health problems. | Besides weight loss, it is also effective in treating numerous neurodegenerative disorders, mental variants, type 2 diabetes and cancer, and many other conditions. |
| The diet has a critical influence in determining whether or not a person is allergic to a particular food. | Sugar cravings can be alleviated because it completely omits all types of sugar and nearly removes carbs. |
| Metabolic syndrome and cholesterol levels can be improved by taking it. | Neurological illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are slowed down by it. |
| The growth rate of tumors can be slowed by following a ketogenic diet. |
Cons of Paleo vs. Keto
Not every diet form can have just benefits. Drawbacks come in the package!
| Paleo | Keto |
| This diet’s main obstacle is the prohibitive cost of its implementation. It’s possible that organic food, grass-fed meat, and fresh seafood won’t be within everyone’s price range. | The diet’s rigidity makes it difficult to keep up with it. |
| There is a risk of calcium shortage and tooth and bone loss if dairy products are entirely avoided. | Heart health can be negatively impacted by excessive consumption of saturated fat. |
| In the long term, a paleo diet can prove to have a negative impact on your gut health. | The keto flu is caused by reducing the intake of many nutrients essential to the body’s optimal functioning. Other typical adverse effects include constipation, mental fog, muscle cramps, and a lack of energy. |
Similarities Between The Paleo Diet And The Keto Diet
Here are a few points that prove that both of these diets do have some similarities:
- The Paleo diet and the Keto diet both insist on avoiding processed foods and taking the natural route. Both of these diets pay more attention to nutritious and wholesome food.
- Both of these diets emphasize low consumption of carbs.
- These diets do not encourage legumes and grains of any sort.
Differences Between The Paleo Diet And The Keto Diet
- Keto allows processed meals only if they do not contain added sugars or carbohydrates, but paleo diets exclude them outright.
- High fat and low carb dairy products (excluding milk) are ideal for a ketogenic diet because of their low carbohydrates and high fat composition. Dairy is not permitted on the paleo diet.
- However, the ketogenic diet is focused on meeting particular macronutrient targets, while paleo is more concerned with what you eat rather than what your macro ratio should be.
- No added sugars are allowed in the paleo diet. However, natural sweeteners like raw honey, maple syrup, and others are allowed in the keto diet.
- When we speak about the guidelines for both diets, paleo guidelines are challenging to meet compared to the Keto guidelines. If keto macros are met, the Keto diet is considered to be completed successfully.
Which Diet Is Healthier?
The paleo diet is unquestionably less restrictive. It also includes fresh produce and lean protein. Consistency requires finding the correct balance, and the paleo diet does just that. Paleo diets are more accessible to sustain than keto diets. People on keto diet plans tend to stress over their carbohydrate intake, thus developing an unhealthy food relationship. The high maintenance of the keto diet makes it a more challenging choice. Both diets limit fiber-rich legumes, affecting intestinal health.
It’s also important to realize that these diets are frequently done for a limited time. The immediate consequence is weight loss. However, the health effects of such diets are unknown. While it is well-known that ketogenic diets are high in fat, their impact on metabolism is uncertain. Both diets are preferable because they stress whole foods, fish, and lean meat. But keep in mind that restrictive eating habits are difficult to maintain.
Paleo vs. Keto: Which Is Better for Weight Loss?
In terms of weight loss, both diets are suitable. When it comes to paleo vs. keto diet weight reduction, it is a never-ending controversy. You may lose weight quickly with either of these diets, but you’ll have to give up some of your favorite foods. A diet that restricts the majority of your favorite meals will leave you feeling exhausted and depleted. Instead of pleasurable activity, eating has become something of a duty. Your mood, mental health, and physical well-being could be adversely affected by all of this.
If you ever give up dieting, you’re more likely to acquire weight than you were before. When it comes to deciding between the two, Paleo is likely the superior option. As a result, you’ll be able to experiment with more foods than on a keto diet. Leafy greens and lean meat make up the majority of calories, which is probably a step up from what you’re used to.
Is Paleo or Keto the Right Choice for You?
Consider your goals before deciding on a diet plan. Make sure you know exactly what you’re willing to give up. Would you rather eat a diet high in protein and fat or one that is low in carbs and high in fat and protein? A health trainer or nutritionist is the best person to talk to about this issue. It is impossible to follow two diets at the same time if you lead an erratic lifestyle. Before making any dietary changes, talk with a doctor if you have any preexisting health conditions.
Conclusion
The key is to adopt a healthy lifestyle rather than relying on convenience foods and other harmful food. The paleo keto diet programs are no exception to this rule, as they too have their share of critics. Experts recommend eating a well-balanced meal that includes all of the essential elements rather than altogether avoiding food. If you’re looking for long-term health benefits, consistency, and a fit body, stick to a healthy diet. Avoid gaining weight, avoid nibbling between meals, eating outside frequently, mindlessly looking through your phone, and sitting idly. Intermittent fasting, regular exercise, and a well-ordered life can positively impact your mental and physical health. It’s impossible to fail if you have a clear objective, put in the time, and stick to a good exercise routine.
