Paleo vs. Keto: What is the Better Choice?

If you are trying to change your lifestyle and find new and effective diets for women, there is a high chance that you will come across the notions of paleo and keto. Nowadays, these terms are quite popular among athletes and people who want to stay in shape healthily and naturally. Namely, they both focus on improving health, cutting out highly processed foods, and supporting weight loss.

However, they are not the same, and that is why the paleo vs. keto dilemma is now commonly present. While it is true that both of these diets come with advantages, they have some prominent differences that suit specific people. This means you will need to know the differences and see what supports your body and health better.

In this blog, we have included the features of both paleo and keto diets to make it easier for you to find your best option. Learn their properties and start making better choices for yourself! 

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The paleo diet is a dietary plan that mimics the eating habits of our prehistoric ancestors. The term “paleo” comes from the Paleolithic era, the time in which our ancestors lived. This diet is often referred to as the Stone Age or cavemen diet.

The goal of the paleo diet is to exclude items produced through moderate food processing and farming techniques. People who follow it may opt for foods that could have been hunted or gathered by a Stone Age ancestor. In other words, a person from the Paleolithic era would depend on the natural resources in their living area. Thus, today, individuals who maintain a paleo diet believe that the human body is not well-adapted to modern foods.

Foods that are allowed in this diet are lean meats, eggs, fish, vegetables, and fruits. However, you should stay away from bananas because they are high in sugar, as well as corn and potatoes, which are high in glycemic index. Paleo diet supporters believe in cutting out dairy, legumes. These are considered highly processed foods, so they should always be avoided.

More precisely, the paleo diet encourages people to rely more on animal protein and healthful fats. That is why supporters recommend consuming nut oils, avocados, butter, and olive oil. In addition, some small short-term studies suggest that the paleo diet could benefit metabolic syndrome and enhance cholesterol levels.

Nowadays, the paleo diet has become quite popular among young people. Since it is believed that our prehistoric ancestors had slender bodies, it is not surprising that this diet has obtained such fame.

However, it is essential to be aware that while this diet prevents you from consuming high-carb foods, it is still not low in calories. In short, you may avoid refined sugar and processed food, but other options might still result in a diet rich in calories. 

On the other end of the paleo vs. keto debate, the keto diet is an eating program that relies on some protein, a lot of healthy fats, and very low amounts of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are generally the body's primary source of energy. If there is a shortage of carbs, the body will rely on fat and some protein reserves for energy. During true ketosis, the liver converts stored fat into ketones for energy. Achieving ketosis is the main objective of following the keto diet.

If you begin following the keto diet for women, you will need to rely on some foods more than on others. For instance, this diet allows the consumption of lean and fatty meats, eggs, avocados, berries, leafy greens, seeds, and nuts. You can also include processed foods as long as you make sure they are not prepared with vegetable oil and are low-carb.

Currently, millions of individuals adopt this diet annually for various purposes. Plenty of benefits come with this type of diet, but you have to establish your goals first and see whether this is suitable for your body.

One of the greatest things about the keto diet for women is its adaptability. Namely, it can suit distinguished preferences and various lifestyles. For example, those who rely on plant-based meals and lead active lives can follow a targeted keto diet. On the other hand, people who prefer animal-based dishes can opt for the keto-carnivore approach. 

Now that we have established the main features of both eating programs, it is essential to determine the similarities and differences between the two. The only way to decide what is good for you is to look into a close paleo vs. keto comparison. When you see the pros and cons of both dietary programs, you will know exactly what you need. 

When you look at these diets separately, your first thought might be that they are completely different. However, they still have some solid similarities you may not be aware of at first. For instance, paleo and keto diets do not allow highly processed foods to be consumed. Moreover, they both exclude the addition of legumes and grains in daily meals.

Paleo and keto diets are focused on meat as the main protein source, and they both suggest the inclusion of several types of vegetables and fats. These eating programs are focused on natural sources of nutrients, and they are strict when it comes to packaged foods and snacks, as well as starchy vegetables.

Another important similarity is that both of these diets do not include foods that are generally considered healthy. These foods include quinoa, oats, pasta, rice, and wheat. Considering that both diets are based on low carbohydrate intake, excluding such foods, although healthy, is not surprising.

If you want to avoid sugar in your diet, you can choose either paleo or keto and obtain the desired results. Both do not allow any foods that contain sugar, so you can be sure that you are on the right track with your no-sugar goals. 

It is essential to go into detail to understand how these two diets are different. Namely, a precise paleo vs. keto comparison will help you determine the effect of each of them so you can decide what you need. Here are the most prominent differences seen between the two: 

There are foods that the paleo diet recommends while the keto diet forbids. For instance, followers of the paleo diet are allowed to eat fruits, such as kiwis, citrus, grapes, and apples. The keto diet for women does not permit such fruits because of their high-carb properties. If you decide to follow this diet, you will have to stick to fruits like avocados, watermelon, and berries.

On the other hand, the keto diet allows dairy products, like milk, sour cream, cheese, and yogurt. These are foods that still go through some processes that the paleo diet does not support. If you cannot live without dairy products, this diet might not be the ideal fit for you. 

There is no doubt that both paleo and keto diets come with benefits that can improve the overall well-being of a person. First, they are both great for supporting weight loss, hence their popularity. However, they do so in different ways.

The paleo diet supports weight loss by consuming whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients and lower in calories than processed alternatives. In contrast, the keto diet encourages weight loss by limiting carbohydrate intake and promoting the production of ketone bodies.

Remember that the keto diet is more limited in carbs, which may significantly drop blood glucose levels. Even though these diets are considered healthy, proper consultation is always necessary and recommended. 

Keto diets primarily derive their calories from fat, whereas paleo diets maintain a moderate fat intake of around 35%. Moreover, keto diets are significantly low in carbohydrates, with a limit of up to 50 grams per day, while paleo diets have a higher carb limit, which is still lower than the standard recommendation of 45% to 65% of total daily calories. 

When you get to know the truth behind paleo vs keto, it is time to figure out what is best for you. This can be a challenging decision because they both have advantages that can be beneficial for your body and health. However, if you look into some factors, you can find it easier to determine the right diet for yourself. 

Remember that when you decide to follow a healthy diet, the same needs to be enjoyable. Even though you will surely have to give up some “guilty pleasures,” your meals still need to be delicious and provide you with solid satisfaction. This means that you will need to figure out which diet allows more of the foods you prefer. For instance, if you like dairy products, then the keto-eating program should be a great fit! 

If you have tried diets for women in the past, then you are most likely aware of how your body reacts to them. Try to remember whether these previous experiences have included foods that you cannot stand or whether the entire process has made you feel overwhelmed. When your body does not react well to dietary restrictions, it may not be a good idea to expose it to such stress. 

When trying something new, it is essential to check what research has determined about it. Both paleo and keto diets have been studied, and they have given proven results. These results can help you figure out which of these diets will work for you and whether you should have some concerns when it comes to overall healthy lifestyle. 

Is it possible for your selected diet to fulfill your nutritional requirements without breaking the bank? Fortunately, following a paleo or keto diet on a budget is achievable by purchasing food in large quantities. Moreover, you should consider opting for more affordable meat cuts and preparing most of your meals at home.

Still, if budget plays a crucial role in choosing the type of diet you will follow, you may want to do a rough estimate of weekly or monthly expenses for each. There should not be a big difference, but the type of food you choose depends on your preferences as well.