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Last Updated on May 11, 2021
You are what you eat. It’s cliche, but it’s true. The food we put into our bodies affects how our bodies perform and function. The higher the quality of food, the better the body feels and moves.
A positive change in diet can have many effects. Not only will a body feel better, but insurance coverage can improve with healthier life choices.
For those who suffer from chronic illnesses, like diabetes, medical coverage can improve dramatically by investing in overall health and choosing better, healthier food. Many insurance companies offer better term insurance for diabetic persons who implement healthy lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.
Making such a dramatic change can be intimidating though. The first question is often, “Where do I start?” There are so many fad diets promoting dramatic weight loss and bodily improvement that it’s hard to find one that is effective and sustainable. One of the best, however, is the paleo diet.
What is the paleo diet?
The paleo diet dates back to the prehistoric era. In fact, it’s often called “the caveman diet”. The idea is to eat the foods the earliest humans would have eaten, foods that our bodies are meant to eat and digest easily.
People who follow this diet eat foods that would have been readily available during the Paleolithic period — like fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean meats, and fish. Many foods fit into these categories, but the paleo diet does exclude a lot of the more modern foods we are accustomed to.
The foods restricted by the paleo diet are those most often farmed or processed. Foods like grains, dairy, refined sugar, potatoes, and other highly processed foods are completely off the table.
These foods are usually more difficult for the human body to digest and burn in the form of energy. This means these foods stay in the body longer, causing increased fat storage, inflammation, and possible damage or disease.
Top 3 Benefits of the Paleo Diet
It might seem challenging to stop eating foods that many people eat on a daily basis, but the benefits truly outweigh the restrictions. The best part of the paleo diet is that the benefits go far beyond weight loss and help establish a life-long change.
The benefits can be broken into three different categories: bodily benefits, dietary benefits, and practical benefits.
#1 – Bodily Benefits
The first benefit of the paleo diet is the improved function of the body. The paleo diet helps regulate and improve many systems in the body.
People who follow the paleo diet will see balanced blood glucose levels and an increase in leaner muscle. The reduction of sugar and processed foods also helps lessen the retention of water and lowers the level of inflammation.
These benefits naturally lead to a lower risk of many diseases, a longer life span, and a higher quality of life.
#2 – Dietary Benefits
The paleo diet is a very balanced diet that includes more fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. There is a big focus on moving away from food with any wheat or gluten. Many people find it hard to digest wheat or gluten, which leads to many troubling health problems.
Cutting gluten is difficult. It’s an ingredient found in virtually all processed foods and breads. The trick to kick the gluten habit is to make foods that often have gluten at home.
Many bake their own gluten-free bread and pastries. Try this gluten-free sourdough starter and learn how to eat bread without the gluten guilt.
Paleo also requires people to stay away from processed foods like fast foods and junk food with empty calories. These foods are often chosen over healthier options because they are quicker and easier to find.
Healthier options can become easier, but they take more work and home preparation. This homemade ghee receipt is a great place to start.
#3 – Practical Benefits
There are more practical benefits to the paleo diet as well. The paleo foods help you stay fuller longer which helps keep cravings for sugar and processed foods at bay. This also means less snacking throughout the day and more money in your pocket.
There is no need to count calories either. It’s just a matter of knowing which foods are allowed and which are not. The decrease in sugary, processed foods also leads to better sleep and more energy. This can translate to higher levels of productivity and an increase in happier moods.
The paleo diet also allows your body to detox and flush out toxins often found in processed foods. This improves overall health but also helps you stay on track. Of course, there is the added benefit of weight loss.
Who will benefit from the paleo diet?
The paleo diet truly is for everyone, but some will see more benefits than others. People who suffer from severe food allergies or sensitivities will need to worry less about encountering those foods. They can eat more freely knowing the foods they are eating are fresh and natural.
The same is true for people who suffer from diabetes. The exclusion of refined sugar and processed foods will help level out blood sugar. The added benefit of sustainability means this diet can be maintained long term and can improve the lives of those with diabetes.
Insurance and Outside Benefits
The benefits of the paleo diet reach into the real world, too. Insurance companies can and sometimes do look at the lifestyle of the insured person before offering insurance policies. Your stage in life can also affect your insurance rates.
Diet and exercise regimes may be considered when purchasing a life insurance policy. Following the paleo diet may encourage insurance companies to offer lower premiums and more favorable terms.
It’s important to know when and how to purchase an insurance policy. For those who suffer from diabetes, it can be difficult to find reasonable insurance coverage or even coverage at all.
Talk with insurance representatives to understand how diabetes and lifestyle changes will affect insurance coverage. Remember to mention your switch to the paleo diet and the vast and varied benefits.
Laura Gunn researches and writes for the life insurance comparison site, QuickQuote.com. She practices the paleo diet, is passionate about the benefits of this lifestyle, and wants others to understand how it might be able to help them.
