What Is Paleo?

Keeping It Simple

There's a lot of information out there about Paleo, and depending on who you listen to, it can all sound a bit complicated.

But I've always believed the basic principles are pretty simple.

Eat real food, stay active, look after yourself and enjoy life.

That's really what it's all about.

Paleo is often described as a diet, but for me, it's always been more about a way of living.

And importantly, it's not about following a strict set of rules.

Back to Basics

The Paleo approach to eating takes its inspiration from the foods our ancestors would have eaten before modern food manufacturing became part of everyday life.

The focus is on wholefoods such as vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, meat, seafood and eggs, with an emphasis on choosing foods that are minimally processed.

Traditional Paleo eating generally avoids grains, legumes, dairy and refined sugars.

But that doesn't mean everyone needs to follow those guidelines exactly.

There are different interpretations of Paleo, and people adapt the approach to suit their own needs, preferences and lifestyles.

For me, the most important thing is understanding what you're eating and making informed choices.

It's about getting back to basics.

A Template Rather Than a Prescription

One of the things that has always frustrated me about the way Paleo is sometimes presented is the idea that there's only one way to do it.

There isn't.

I've always looked at Paleo as a template rather than a prescription.

A set of principles that can help guide the choices we make about food and lifestyle.

Some people choose to follow a traditional Paleo approach quite closely. Others simply want to eat more wholefoods, reduce heavily processed foods or pay more attention to the ingredients they're consuming.

And that's fine.

You need to find what works for you.

Healthy living shouldn't become another source of stress or a long list of things you're not allowed to enjoy.

It's About More Than Food

When I first became interested in Paleo and Primal living, one of the things that appealed to me was the broader philosophy.

Food is important, but it's only one part of the picture.

Being active, getting enough sleep, managing stress and spending time with family, friends and your community all contribute to how we feel and live.

You don't need to spend hours in the gym or follow a complicated routine.

It's about making choices that support the life you want to live.

Eat well. Move well. Live well. Keep it simple.

That's an approach I've always believed makes sense.

Where Paleo Hero Fits In

When Cathie and I started Paleo Hero in 2012, we wanted to make it easier for people to enjoy convenient, great-tasting food made with quality ingredients.

We were inspired by the Paleo approach, and those principles still influence the products we make today.

Our focus is on simple recipes, carefully selected ingredients and food that tastes as good as it should.

We still hand-make and hand-pack our products daily in small batches at our Brisbane facility, because freshness and quality are important to us.

But you don't need to follow Paleo to enjoy our products.

Whether you're looking for grain-free or gluten-free options, trying to reduce unnecessary additives or simply looking for something delicious for breakfast, we've got something for you.

Find What Works for You

After all these years, my view hasn't really changed.

There is no single approach to eating and living that works for everyone.

Take the time to understand the food you're eating, pay attention to what works for you and make choices that fit your lifestyle.

You don't have to be perfect.

You don't have to follow every rule.

And you certainly don't have to give up enjoying good food.

Keep it simple. Eat real food. Enjoy life.

Mark Rockley
Founder, Paleo Hero