59: Paleo, Keto, Carnivore [Navigating Dietary Changes as a Family]

The Primal Shift

Navigating a health journey can be challenging, especially when it involves significant dietary changes and their impact on family dynamics. In this episode of the Primal Shift Podcast, my wife Kathy and I open up about our transition through various diets and how it affected our lives and relationship.

Our journey began when Kathy was diagnosed with prediabetes. We decided to cut out processed sugars, which seemed straightforward. But soon thereafter, I became interested in the Paleo diet and enthusiastically declared that we were switching to that significantly more restrictive dietary framework.

Kathy didn’t share my enthusiasm. Switching to Paleo meant eliminating staple foods like beans, rice, and lentils from our diet. She was born and raised in Costa Rica, where these foods are a central part of the cuisine, so I was essentially asking her to give up a number of beloved traditional dishes.

Despite our initial struggles, we adapted and learned to prepare Paleo-friendly versions of our favorite meals. Then, just when we thought we had it all figured out, I discovered keto and once again, we faced the challenge of another dietary overhaul.

This time, it meant cutting out even more carbs, including natural sweeteners and many of the ingredients Kathy had started using in her cooking.

Reflecting on this period, Kathy recalls how our son had stomach issues due to the high consumption of almond flour and almond milk, which were two common ingredients in our keto recipes. We eventually realized that while keto had its benefits, it wasn’t the ultimate solution for us. We moved towards a more nuanced approach, combining elements of Paleo and keto with a focus on ingredient quality and avoiding processed foods.

A pivotal moment came when I wanted to experiment with the carnivore diet. Having learned from past experiences, I approached this transition with more caution, suggesting a trial period rather than an immediate switch. This experiment taught us valuable lessons about the benefits of an animal-based diet while still incorporating seasonal fruits and the least toxic plants.

Kathy’s perspective on these changes has evolved, especially as she seeks information from other influencers and sources. For instance, she discovered that women tolerate cold exposure differently than men, leading us to adjust our cold plunge temperatures accordingly.

During our conversation, we also discuss the broader challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in modern society, such as the convenience of processed foods and the social pressure to conform. Kathy highlights the difficulties of preparing healthy meals and dealing with criticism at social gatherings.

Lastly, we touch on the rewarding yet demanding aspects of homesteading, including growing our own food and raising animals. While it’s not always easy, the benefits of fresh, homegrown produce and the satisfaction of self-sufficiency make it worthwhile.

Join us as we share our insights and strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the importance of adaptability, and the ongoing journey of discovering what works best for our family.

In this episode:

00:00 - Going Paleo: Prioritizing our health

05:18 - Going Keto: Carbs are bad?

08:39 - Exploring Carnivore and finding balance

11:14 - The challenges of living a healthy lifestyle

14:35 - Our biggest challenge

16:53 - The realities of leaving home

17:44 - Homesteading: Growing our own food

20:13 - Raising animals vs. growing plants

21:11 - Balancing homesteading challenges and rewards

Learn more:

Is An Animal Based Diet Healthy? My Family’s Journey From Keto to Carnivore and Beyond (Blog Post): https://michaelkummer.com/health/animal-based-diet/

Animal Based Food & Beverage List (Blog Post): https://michaelkummer.com/food-list/

How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle (8 Core Principles) (Blog Post): https://michaelkummer.com/health/healthy-lifestyle-guide/

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, OneSkin!

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[Medical Disclaimer]

The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health.

[Affiliate Disclaimer]

I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you’d like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code.

#Paleo #Keto #Carnivore #AnimalBased #Homesteading #HealthyLiving #FamilyJourney