The Paleo Diet…often controversial among Believers in Christ Jesus. I want to make very clear that even though we do “the Paleo Diet”, we do NOT agree with the evolutionary beliefs it stems from. Some of you are really confused, not even knowing what the Paleo Diet was to start with. The thought process stems from the supposed “paleolithic era” when men were hunters and gatherers. Sure, our ancestors maybe ate this way, but I don’t believe the earth has been around for millions of years and I certainly don’t believe we evolved from animals. I believe God created man on the sixth day of creation, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’…God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:26a, 31)
Basically, the Paleo Diet consists of eating meats, veggies, healthy fats (coconut oil, avocados, nuts, eggs), and fruit. It eliminates grains (especially ones that contain gluten, but also rice and corn), refined sugars, dairy, vegetable oils, legumes (including peanuts), potatoes, and soy. The diet encourages organic foods as much as possible and grass-fed meats that are antibiotic and hormone-free.
Here are some of the things I have noticed in my life as a result of switching to the Paleo Diet:
1. Hormonal stability/balance
2. More energy
3. More motivation
4. Clarity of thought/less spacey
5. Increased memory
6. Less sleepy
7. Less headaches
8. Increased circulation (I’m not as cold as I used to be though this winter will be an excellent test for that.)
People often do the Paleo Diet with the plan “to live longer”. I might die tomorrow in a car crash–God only knows. I’m not doing this diet to live longer, but to try to live healthier as long as I live. And because of the benefits I’ve seen in my own life the first couple months, I’m excited to keep on with it!
Stephanie
Oct 31, 2012 -
Oh thank you so much for your testimony for Jesus as well as extolling the virtues of this diet. Finding a Christian that follows this diet online is difficult, and often the atmosphere on Paleo blogs is hostile towards Christianity. This diet totally fits into what God would have allowed, especially for someone who was part of a less agricultural tribe. Upon an honest examination, I found no problem at all with this way of eating and the Bible.
I’ll be visiting your blog often! Keep proclaiming the truth in love!
Carolyn
Oct 22, 2012 -
Wow! What an awesome story to share. I follow a lot of Paleo blogs mostly for the recipes but also for the inspiring stories. Yours is THE first I have come across to mention your faith and for your sharing I give thanks!!! Blessings to you.
Erika
Aug 10, 2012 -
Hi Jennifer!! I am so encouraged to find this site!! We are transitioning to Paleo over the last few weeks and my kids LOVED your waffles (we were a bit tired of eggs/meat this am :)) With all the obsessing over recipes and ingredients (and multiple trips to Trader Joe’s/Whole Foods) I have felt distant from the Lord. Truthfully I didn’t even realize that there was controversy with Paleo- I just was tired of feeling sick and tired and didn’t want to feed my kids popular processed crap anymore. Anyways, thanks for being a blessing to me this morning!
colleen
Jul 31, 2012 -
how does religion even the whole topic of God come into a recipe. I just wanted a recipe. I think you are all putting way too much thought into it. I’m not overly religious but very spiritual and I do believe in higher power but come on. Unfortunately I think you are all the same extreme thinkers – . I just wanted a really good recipe!
Jennifer
Jul 31, 2012 -
Hi Colleen. My relationship with Jesus Christ is my life. I share my recipes on my blog, but also my beliefs. If it bothers you, you certainly don’t have to use my recipes or come to my site. Thank you for checking it out! I hope you were able to find a recipe you liked!
Mark
Jul 13, 2012 -
Thank you for this post. I did a google search on “Christian view of paleo diet” and this page was at the top 🙂
I’m also a believer, and I’m interested in the Paleo diet, but get so tired of reading the Paleo sites where everything is based on WWGD – What Would Grok Do?
A better name would Natural diet or Clean diet. The diet just makes sense (apart of the evolutionary nonsense) and from my initial experience with it, I feel great eating this way.
Thanks again, and I’ll be spending more time on your site. 🙂
Sarah
Jun 28, 2012 -
I am a believer who believes in the “day” in Genesis really means “age”. The Hebrew word used can actually mean one or the other. I love being Paleo. I never argue with other believers about whether or not it is a literal six days, and I’m glad to see other believers living this healthy lifestyle. I really enjoyed the no-bake cookie recipe you posted. Thanks for that.
AmyN
Jun 18, 2012 -
I am so encouraged right now! I’ve been following your site since I went grain free in March, and just now decided to read about you – and on an aside, you’ve made it really easy and fun to go grain free with all your great recipes, and I SO appreciate them. The topper is that you love the Lord and proclaim it on here. Thanks for that!!
Kristi O.
Jun 1, 2012 -
Just wanted to say that I love the recipes I have found so far and that I too am a follower of Christ. However, I do not find a need to denounce evolution. I grew up with a nuclear chemist as a father (who is a devoted christian) and I am currently in seminary being amazingly blessed by studying God’s word. I don’t think it is necessary for me to challenge your view about evolution, what you hold to certainly isn’t a sin, but I did want to give testimony to the knowledge I have of science and the scriptures, and when true science is done (discovery without an agenda), I consistently see that it not only can be held alongside our Christian faith and wisdom but it points to God’s truths! Science does not threaten God’s truths but rather it exposes them! Which makes sense because God’s creation is real and orderly so discovery of its order should poit to the Creator – and it does. Obviously going into all the areas of how this is so, can become a long discussion, but I really wanted to give that witness of my faith here. God created al things in this world and many of God’s workings are completed through processes (even miracles, as Jesus sent the blind man to wash his eyes before the miraculous healing of sight came to be. John9:6-7) A daily example: we look at a child and know that it was God’s hand that formed that very flesh and heart beat, but we also have been blessed to have knowledge of how that forming process takes places – from conception to first gasp for breath! I pray that we would never be fearful of the natural processes of this world that God set into motion and continues to be at work in!
Eli Lambert
May 22, 2012 -
I am really pleased to find others that believe in the truth of the Word of God, and the Genesis account of Creation, who eat with a general Paleo focus. And I’m sure I’m not alone in learning about the Paleo diet from my local CrossFit. Funny story. The first time I went to CrossFit, I thought because of “cross” in the name, I thought I had found a Christian gym. 🙂 Now two years later, I’m still going strong with CrossFit. Even if it didn’t turn out to be a Christian organization.
Jennifer
Jun 1, 2012 -
I have heard wonderful things about CrossFit! Thanks for visiting and for your comment!
Jennifer G
Apr 3, 2012 -
Thank you so very much for your post! I just found this website and am thrilled to read about your Christian statements. I too, am a follower of Jesus Christ and strive to live my life as a reflection of Him living in my heart.
As I strongly recommend the Paleo Diet for health reasons, I am appalled at some of the approaches I’ve read from many avid “Paleo-ians”. I enjoy Running as well as Cross-Fit, so after reading Loren Cordain and Joe Friel’s book The Paleo Diet for Athletes, I just couldn’t help but think that they are two very intellectual men, researched in all of their information, yet have missed out on THE most IMPORTANT and FULL-FILLING Fact this side of Heaven — God, His existence and His creation of this Universe.
I will continue to follow your blogs, and urge everyone reading to do the most powerful thing we can do to reach the misguided world around us — PRAY!
In Him alone,
Jennifer G
Camille
Feb 27, 2012 -
I’m back again to read a little more of this way of eating. I am thrilled to find you boldly proclaiming your beliefs in the Bible and God’s explanation of how we were created and placed here for HIS glory! Yes, indeed…this world was created in a literal six day week and death came after Adam and Eve sinned…no death (millions of years) is included in this picture. Answers in Genesis is a wonderful organisation that defends this biblical world view while coming from a scientific viewpoint in their materials. It is very refreshing and encouraging. May the LORD bless you as you stand for Truth and may HE give you daily HIS grace and strength as you seek to serve HIM with your life.
As for this way of eating…I am thinking it will be of great benefit for our son’s health issues. Thank you SO much for taking the time to share your knowledge with us.
Many blessings,
Camille
Amy
Jan 24, 2012 -
this link was sent to me by a friend, but i have to comment because i find it astounding that you can pick and choose the science that works for you. by all means, accept the science of our bodies, but remain willfully ignorant of the science of evolution because it doesn’t fit a value system designed by your ancestors. i’m happy that this works for you, and perhaps there is a reason it does?
Jennifer
Feb 2, 2012 -
Hi Amy. Thank you for visiting my site and taking the time to read my thoughts. I am no scientist, but there are more and more evidences proving evolution is wrong than there is proving it is right. I personally think it is hard to believe that we were once fish or monkeys or whatever and that we just came about by chance. Our bodies are so intricately made and are such an amazing miracle, it seems only logical to believe we had a Creator. Psalm 139:13 states, “For You [God] formed my inward parts; You [God] wove me in my mother’s womb.”
What makes you believe evolution is the way that we got here?
Nanny of 3……
Apr 9, 2012 -
I just started reading your blog and it is so encouraging to find a fellow believer who wants to give God the glory for all things..:) Psalm 139 is one of my favorites verse
Nanny Of 3
Apr 9, 2012 -
I meant to say favorite Psalms..I haven’t replied on the blog before..:)
Lea Ann Savage
Jan 13, 2012 -
Ooops, I meant to say, “I’m not Jennifer”!
Lea Ann Savage
Jan 13, 2012 -
Jennifer – have you looked into the Nourishing Traditions aka WAP (Weston A. Price) way of eating? There are a LOT of similarities with Paleo. Also, an off-shoot diet book called, “Eat Fat, Lose Fat” has been very helpful to me. I LOVE your blog (and it was posted and briefly discussed on my VitamixEnthusiasts email list). Currently, I eat NO grains or sugars and for fruits only berries, green apples, lemon, and lime. Basically, I eat Paleo, but I consume a LOT of Greens (in juice and cooked form) and fermented veggies.
I am also a Christian and have never believed that there was anything “anti-Christian” about eating the Paleo way (or along those lines :-). In my field (demonstrating and selling Vitamix machines), everyone assumes that I am a vegan or vegetarian! 🙂
Karla, if you start drinking Green Smoothies at the same time that you get off of all forms of wheat and sugars, it will help with the cravings. Also, adding Coconut Butter to my diet helped immensely with food cravings, fatigue, sleep, weight loss, and symptoms of hormonal imbalance. I’m not Karla, but here is what I eat on a daily basis:
AM
a small bowl of fermented veggies
about 1/4 cup of grass fed ground beef
coffee (my one indulgence) 1/2 organic regular, 1/2 organic decaff (water processed) full-fat coconut milk for cream, stevia
spoon full of coconut butter to end the meal (I make my own coconut butter from dried, unsweetened, coconut flakes sweetened with stevia
LUNCH
one pound of Greens Juiced (pulp made in a Vitamix, then strained in a nut milk bag) I add this juice to one of the following (which I blend in the Vitamix WITHOUT removing or straining out the fiber):
– 1/2 apple, 1/2 lime, 2 carrots, ginger, one clove garlic
or
– berries (usually a triple berry mix like raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
or
– cucumber, red pepper, celery, 2 carrots, 1/2 avocado
I follow lunch with a hand full of walnuts or almonds and a spoon full of coconut butter
DINNER:
A Bone Broth Soup (learned of the importance of bone broths from the GAPS diet)
with the meat that was on the bones and whatever veggies I cooked it in. Organic bones and meat.
After this soup is hot, I crack an egg over it letting the whites fall in and cook, and I slurp down the yolk raw. (this is discussed in the GAPS diet too)
– dinner is followed by a spoon full of coconut butter (it is my dessert and the sweet signals the end of a meal for me.
This diet has cured my insomnia, ended my PMS, stabilized my hypoglycemia, helped me drop 5 lbs. (I was already at a very health weight wearing a size 8 jeans), and increased my energy.
Hope this is helpful!
Jennifer
Jan 24, 2012 -
Thanks for all the info! I’m thrilled you have found a way of eating that has helped your health issues as well!
Jennifer
Feb 2, 2012 -
Thanks, Jennifer!
karla diaz
Dec 8, 2011 -
Thank you for responding so quickly! 🙂 I will be following your blog! So nice to meet another Christ follower :):):)
karla diaz
Dec 8, 2011 -
I am sooooo glad I found your site. I am a christian too and have really enjoyed reading your posts! I too have many health struggles (Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Hypothyroid and Hypoglycemia). I am really discouraged. I need to get my hormones tested too but can’t afford it at this time. Do you have any suggestions on what to eat for an entire day – a meal plan etc.? What did you follow for your first 30 days? A particular book? I am struggling to stop eating cheese and all sugars (I know I should go off of all maple syrup, coconut sugar etc. but am so addicted) I love your recipes and would really appreciate any input. God bless you! 🙂
Jennifer
Dec 8, 2011 -
Hi Karla! Thanks for your comment and questions. I haven’t yet posted a meal plan…mostly because I usually just wing-it. It is definitely more beneficial though, to have a meal plan. The first 30 days I hardly did any sugars–just fruit and I made some mock larabars with dates. I’ll try to give you a brief day plan: 2 eggs and a sausage patty for breakfast; chicken taco salad with veggies for lunch; meatloaf, boiled sweet potatoes and green beans for supper with nuts/fruit/seeds/larabars for snacks. You can make zucchini noodles and that way have spaghetti and I also make cauliflower rice which is a nice compliment to a stir-fry (don’t use soy sauce) or salmon. We probably should mix-up breakfast more, but we basically have some form of eggs 5-6 mornings a week and have some type of meat with it (bacon, sausage, etc.) It is hard to cut out dairy and sugars, but it is worth it to set a 30-day goal and try to be as strict as you can be. After that time you can try re-introducing some cheese and cook with raw honey (or coconut sugar) and see how you handle it. I have a Sandwich bread recipe that we really like (the texture is much different than regular bread though) and that way you can have some bread here and there. Hope this helps! I should try to get a meal-plan up soon!
rachel
Nov 19, 2011 -
so excited to find other paleo believers! it’s hard to come by!!! seriously. SO excited!
Jennifer
Dec 2, 2011 -
I’m glad you are excited! Thanks for visiting my site!
resha
Nov 9, 2011 -
I am going to cry! And then convince you to move to Michigan and be my neighbor!! :o) What a blessing to find a believer that is blogging about the way our family is starting to eat. God is in control of all things! Thank you for all of your lovely recipes. We are going to start making them tomorrow!
Jennifer
Nov 9, 2011 -
You are so sweet! God is in control! Amen! I hope these can be beneficial to you and your family! Take care!