Keto vs Paleo – are any of these for you?

Choosing a diet is kind of like choosing a life partner, not all are suited to your body type or lifestyle. Let’s first clarify that neither of these is technically a diet, moreover choosing one of these eating plans should be viewed as a new way of life, rather than the latest fad.   

Before we compare which one is best suited for you, if any, it’s helpful to go beyond the weight loss factor and look at the medical reasoning for following such a Plan. The Paleo diet is said to be beneficial for intestine health, autoimmune conditions and blood sugar levels. On the other side of the coin, the Keto diet is thought to help improve medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. 

What promises do the two base their results on?

The Keto diet promotes accelerated weight loss more effectively than most diets as it teaches your body to burn fat more efficiently by entering a metabolic state called ketosis. Whilst the Paleo diet promises weight maintenance, more energy and reduced risk of disease.

What are the likenesses and differences, and why do they matter?

Both diets promote healthy fats, loads of green vegetables, and decent sources of meat (by decent we mean grass-fed or organic). The main difference is that on the keto diet, most of your calories come from fat, whereas on the paleo diet, most of them come from protein. Paleo includes fruits whilst keto opts for diary.

Both options include:

• Healthy fats like avocados and olive oil, and even butter or ghee.
• Meats or plant-based proteins like tempeh, tofu, and seitan
• Poultry
• Egg
• Fish
• Nuts and seed
• Leafy greens and other non-starchy veggie
• Coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil (but not vegetable oils, like canola oil)

Because grains, refined sugars and legumes aren’t permitted, the carb sources on the paleo diet are somewhat limited but not eliminated. Paleo still allows carbs from groups of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables and unrefined sweeteners.

Conversely, the keto diet restricts all rich sources of carbohydrates, including starchy vegetables, most fruits, grains, sweeteners and most legumes.

Have a look at the list below listed on the Keto Summit for the most common scenarios and which diet is the better fit for each of them:

• If weight loss is your main aim (e.g. you’ve just come back from holiday and need to lose a few extra pounds) – Keto
• If you’re struggling with a sweet tooth and want to stop your craving – Keto
• If you’re making the switch to a healthier diet in general and need easy guidelines (e.g. your diet currently involves lots of highly-processed foods) – Paleo
• If you need a diet with more flexibility (e.g. you’re cooking for family members/children or your work involves lots of travel) – Paleo
• If you want to increase your energy by balancing your blood sugar level (e.g. you often feel sleepy in the afternoons and find your energy spikes and crashes throughout the day) – Keto
• If you’ve got a big project coming up and need to increase mental clarity and focu – Keto
• If you’re currently clearing up existing health problem (like an autoimmune condition or digestive issues) – Paleo

Make your goal to become aware of what works for you and what is sustainable to your lifestyle. Start out slowly, focus on whole foods which are still in their naturally produced state and you’ll be well on your way to a happier healthier you!