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The Paleo and Whole30 diets are very similar. They both eliminate the same food groups and both can aid in weight loss, lowering your risk of heart disease, and diabetes. So how do you choose between them?
The primary difference between the two diets is that the Whole30 becomes less stringent after the initial stage, while the Paleo diet maintains the same rules indefinitely.
Both diets focus on foods low in carbohydrates and high in protein. They also limit the same types of food such as grains, legumes, and dairy. These foods typically offer a wide range of health benefits, which requires you to rely more on high-protein foods.
If you are looking to lose weight, both diets are easy to follow without measuring portions and counting calories. The foods permitted in both diets are high in fiber, which promotes feelings of fullness while being low in calories.
These types of diets can help you reduce cravings and hunger while maintaining muscle mass and losing fat.
The Whole30 diet initially requires you to cut out a few additional foods for the purpose of identifying dietary triggers you may not tolerate. This only lasts a short time but may make it seem more stringent than the Paleo diet at first glance.
After the initial stage of the Whole30 diet–which lasts just 30 days–you gradually reintroduce some of the foods restricted in the initial stage. The Paleo diet maintains the same restrictions it begins with throughout the time you practice it, whether you follow it for one month or throughout your lifetime.
Many people find the Whole30 diet more difficult to maintain during the first 30 days than the Paleo diet; however, they believe it is more sustainable over a long period of time than the Paleo diet.
With either diet, abandoning them altogether will likely cause you to regain the weight you lost. Both diets also limit your nutrient intake, so it is important to ensure you are getting the recommended amount of nutrients through the foods you choose or by supplementing with daily vitamins.
Find out more information about the Whole30 diet in our related post.
