Paleo Diet

The #1 Paleo Diet Mistake Beginners Make

15minutebites

26 Apr 2025 — 2 min read

Paleo Diet Mistake | Disclaimer: This is a AI generated image only for visualization purposes

"Wait, so I’m eating like a caveman, but I’m still not feeling like I could wrestle a mammoth?" Does that sound familiar?

You’ve decided to go Paleo. You’re ready to eat like a caveman, shed fat, and boost energy. You throw out processed stuff, cut out bread, and stack up on grass-fed steaks.
But then…

You hit a wall. You're experiencing fatigue, bloating, or even weight gain. What on earth?
Turns out, there’s one crucial mistake almost every Paleo beginners make which is undermining the progress

The #1 Paleo Diet Mistake: Going Too Low-Carb, Too Fast

The harsh truth is that most people believe that a paleo diet means no carbohydrates.
Big. Mistake.

The Paleo diet isn't always low in carbohydrates. When available, our ancestors consumed honey, tubers, and seasonal fruits.
According to a research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, hunter-gatherer societies ate 30–40% of their calories from carbohydrates rather than keto.

Low-Carb = Hormonal Chaos, Fatigue, and Cravings
The "low-carb flu"—fatigue, irritability, and brain fog—can be brought on by cutting carbohydrates too quickly.

Long-term low-carb consumption can cause hormonal imbalances, including irregular periods and thyroid problems, in women in particular.

You Might Actually Gain Weight
The stress hormone cortisol rises when carbohydrate intake is too low, instructing your body to store fat.
According to a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, athletes following a low-carb diet experienced poorer recovery and increased cortisol levels.

How to Fix This Mistake?

✅ Eat the Right Carbs
Sweet potatoes, squash, plantains, bananas, berries, carrots, and beets are the best sources of Paleo carbohydrates.
A moderate intake of 50–150g of carbohydrates per day, depending on activity intensity.

✅ Appropriately Timing Your Carbs After Exercise: aids in the restoration of muscle energy, or glycogen.
At dinner: Carbs increase serotonin, which can help you sleep.

The Paleo Golden Rules (Beyond Just Meat)

Wild-caught seafood, organic vegetables, and grass-fed beef prioritize quality above quantity.
Don't be afraid of healthy fats found in almonds, avocados, coconut oil, and olive oil.
Don't eat processed "Paleo" junk food because it's not necessarily healthful just because it doesn't contain grains.
Don't Eat Too Many Sugary Fruits
Mindful Portion Control: Moderation is essential, even while eating foods that are permitted by Paleo.
Ensure you're getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and fiber, which might be lacking due to the exclusion of dairy and grains.

Even wellness enthusiasts like Gwyneth Paltrow Says She’s ‘Sick’ of Paleo Diet and Now Eats ‘a Little Pasta’ After Being ‘Obsessed’ with Healthy Eating. This shift highlights the challenges and potential pitfalls of a rigid Paleo lifestyle.

so, in conclusion: Paleo ≠ No Carb
The Paleo diet is about eating like our ancestors—not starving like them. If your Paleo symptoms worsen, look at how many carbohydrates you're eating.

Now go eat that sweet potato—guilt-free.