Paleo vs. Keto: Which Diet is Right for You?

Many people looking to lose weight, boost energy, or improve their health consider two of the most popular diets—Paleo and Keto. While both focus on whole, unprocessed foods and offer significant benefits, they are not the same. Choosing the right one depends on your health goals and how your body responds to different foods.

If you’ve been wondering which diet is best for weight loss, blood sugar control, or long-term health, let’s break it down.

Understanding the Paleo and Keto Diets

What is the Keto Diet?

The ketogenic diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and very low in carbohydrates. The goal of keto is to shift your body into ketosis, a metabolic state where fat is burned for fuel instead of carbs.

A typical keto diet includes:
✔ 70-90% of daily calories from fat
✔ 5-10% from carbohydrates
✔ 20-25% from protein

By drastically reducing carbs, your body stops relying on glucose for energy and instead burns stored fat, making keto popular for rapid weight loss.

What is the Paleo Diet?

The Paleo diet, often called the “caveman diet,” focuses on eating foods that our ancestors would have consumed—natural, whole foods while avoiding anything processed.

A Paleo diet includes:
✔ Grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, eggs
✔ Nuts, seeds, fruits, and non-starchy vegetables
✔ Healthy fats like olive oil and coconut oil

However, Paleo does not focus on carbohydrate restriction the way keto does. Instead, it eliminates processed foods, refined sugars, and dairy.

Key Differences Between Keto and Paleo

✔ Carb Intake: Keto is a low-carb, high-fat diet that forces the body into ketosis. Paleo does not have specific carb limits.

✔ Dairy: Keto allows high-fat dairy like butter and cheese, while Paleo eliminates dairy completely.

✔ Testing for Ketosis: Keto requires tracking macronutrients and ketone levels to maintain ketosis. Paleo does not require any testing.

✔ Primary Goal: Keto focuses on fat-burning and metabolic changes, while Paleo is more about eating clean, whole foods for long-term health.

Which Diet is Better for Weight Loss?

There’s no one-size-fits-all diet, but keto is more restrictive and designed for faster fat loss since it forces the body into ketosis. However, Paleo can still promote weight loss by eliminating processed foods and refined sugars.

If you need rapid weight loss or have blood sugar concerns, keto might be a better fit. If you want a sustainable long-term diet with fewer restrictions, Paleo may be easier to follow.

Can You Combine Keto and Paleo?

Yes! You can follow a Paleo-based Keto diet by:
✔ Eating high-quality meats and healthy fats
✔ Avoiding grains, legumes, and processed foods
✔ Keeping carbs low to stay in ketosis

This approach allows you to burn fat efficiently while sticking to whole, unprocessed foods.

Conclusion: Choose the Diet That Works for You

Both Paleo and Keto offer health benefits, but the best diet is the one that fits your lifestyle and long-term goals. Whether you want to lose weight, improve energy, or manage blood sugar, it’s essential to follow a plan that works for you.

If you’re unsure which approach is right for you, let’s create a customized plan tailored to your needs. Click here to book a consultation with me and take the first step toward better health today!