What can readers expect from your new book Paleo: 12 Weeks to change your life?
Rebecca Field
Be prepared to forget everything that you think you knew about healthy eating and dieting and embrace a new healthy and sustainable lifestyle. There is a wealth of information on the Paleo diet; what you can eat, advice on nutrition and nutrient dense foods, why fat is good for you, how to get the most out of your shopping alongside sections on sleep and self-development.
With over 200 recipes covering breakfast, lunch and dinner alongside side dishes, desserts, snacks and everyday essentials there is something for everyone. There is nothing too difficult; just good honest food that is easy to prepare and cook. There are 12 weeks of meal plans set out for you to follow with three delicious meals a day plus dessert two nights a week. You will also get a comprehensive shopping list for each week; everything is available in your local supermarket so no complicated ingredients to worry about.
Why do you think the interest in the Paleo diet is still huge?
I find that people are becoming increasingly aware of what they are putting into their bodies. Various supermarket scandals have left people confused and unsure as to whom they can trust with their food. With illness and chronic disease on the increase people are looking at how they can start to heal their bodies and diet is a huge factor. Paleo is based on real, whole foods and there is a huge focus on gut health and reducing inflammation. The image that it is a "fad diet" is fading and people are realising that "clean eating" is a healthy and effective approach for both weight loss and improving overall health.
Why was it important for you to focus on the holistic approach to Paleo in this book?
I always think that there is so much emphasis placed on the food that we eat but that is never the full picture when it comes to health and wellbeing. To achieve optimal health I truly believe that we need to look at all aspects of our lives from sleep and stress to self-awareness and exercise it is all part of the bigger picture. They are all intertwined components that need due care and attention for us to thrive.
Why does it only take 12 weeks to see a difference?
I believe that 12 weeks is the period of time that is takes to truly change your habits and mindset. By the time you have finished the programme you will view food in a completely different way and will be in tune with exactly what your body wants and needs. You will have banished your cravings and will know what it feels like to truly nourish your body. You will start to feel the benefits after just a couple of weeks and will start to notice differences week by week. By the time you reach the end of the programme you are in a position to make sensible food choices and adapt the Paleo lifestyle to suit your needs.
Why is the perception that Paleo is all about eating meat wrong?
The Paleo diet is probably one of the most misunderstood lifestyles. The first response that most people have is to compare it to the Atkins diet and similar programmes where carbohydrates are restricted and the emphasis is heavily on meat. What everyone seems to forget is that fruit and vegetables are carbohydrates and very good source of it at that. These are eaten in abundance on the Paleo lifestyle and make up the majority of your meals; protein only makes up around 20%. By following a Paleo lifestyle you will not only be able to meet all your carbohydrate needs but, with the variety and volume of vegetables and herbs, you will be getting your fix of micronutrients which are essential to enable to you to fully function.
How does the Paleo diet improve your health?
Above all else the Paleo diet is healing and restorative. The principles of the Paleo lifestyle are very much based around improving gut health and reducing inflammation. The foods which are eliminated from a Paleo diet are done so in order to improve health and the overall functioning of your body. By reducing your toxic load your body can start to heal and repair.
By following a Paleo lifestyle you will not only be getting enough macronutrients (fat, protein and carbohydrates) but will be getting an abundance of micronutrients which provide the fine-tuning that the body needs to prevent eventual breakdown. A diet can contain enough macronutrients to keep you from passing out but that doesn't necessarily mean you are getting the nutrition you need.
What is your favourite recipe to make at home from the book?
That is a difficult one! I have a few favourites from the book but I would have to say that the lamb burgers are always a huge hit in my house. My husband loves them. The blackened salmon with avocado salsa is also a favourite.
What is a typical day like for you in terms of what you eat and the exercise you do?
I always start my day with a cup of hot water with lemon. The citrus helps to kick start your digestion and I find it really soothing. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day and I always look forward to it. I adore eggs so they are more often than not on the menu. I would say something like scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and rocket with a squeeze of lemon or asparagus with poached eggs. Sometimes I just throw whatever vegetables I have leftover in the fridge together, add a few herbs and then top with an egg.
Lunch is either a "pasta" dish (using spiralized vegetables and a homemade sauce) or a salad with some protein which could be anything from a salmon fillet to a homemade burger. One of my pet hates is a bad salad as it is just so easy to make them taste delicious. I would include lots of fresh vegetables and herbs in my salad and finish off with a homemade dressing.
Dinner is usually something like tandoori chicken, baked fish or meatballs, along with some simple but delicious vegetables. I always make sure that I liven up my food with herbs and spices. It is amazing what just a sprinkle of fennel or mustard seeds does to a dish. I will also add sweet potato if I have been exercising.
In terms of exercise, I see a personal trainer three times a week and am currently enjoying some outdoor training which consists of lots of ropes, sprints, plyometric exercises, boxing and skipping. It is great fun! If I don't have time to see my trainer I work out at home using my own Tabata (interval training) routine.
What is next for you?
I am in the process of writing my third book. I am also looking to expand the website further with more options for how people can opt to follow a Paleo lifestyle.
Available from Amazon and paleodietandfitness.co.uk/our-books/