Melissa Joulwan

Living Paleo means eating all-natural, real foods that support steady blood sugar levels and eliminate inflammation inside the body. Living Paleo also means knowing how to estimate the right amount of food for your needs, stocking your kitchen with Paleo-friendly foods, and cooking healthful meals at home. Not sure how to make the switch to living Paleo?

The Paleo lifestyle is a great way to feel better. What you eat makes all the difference for how you feel — and how you perform when you work out or do everyday things like rake the leaves or clean the house. In these articles, you find some tips for amping up your Paleo diet smarts, for you and for your kids.

Finding Paleo-friendly meals at American-style restaurants, diners, and cafŽs is pretty easy. Their menus often feature Paleo (cave man) diet foods such as fresh salads, burgers, and stick-to-your-ribs fare (roast poultry or meat, steaks, and chops) and vegetables. Here are some tips for finding the gems on the menu.

One challenge of developing a Paleo (cave man) diet meal plan for breakfast is redefining ideas about which foods are right for breakfast. A non-Paleo "traditional" breakfast of cereal or eggs and toast isn't going to cut it. Instead of trying to retrofit your old meal ideas into the new Paleo format, try eating whatever combination of protein, vegetables, and fat sounds appealing at the time.

Eating like a cave man while on your Paleo diet can carry through to parties and holidays. To truly celebrate, create menus featuring Paleo foods that nourish your body and taste great — and then, on very special occasions, select a treat that's worth a compromise. Here are some suggestions to help with holiday menu planning when you're a host who is living Paleo:Make it fun.

Of course a cave man enjoyed his food, and so can you on the Paleo diet. In these Paleo-approved recipes, you'll enjoy a classic combo of pork and sauerkraut, steamed kale with an Asian flair, and crunchy toasted coconut with a hint of cinnamon and cocoa.Slow Cooker Pork and SauerkrautTry this simple one-pot Paleo entree: Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut.

Your goal when adopting a Paleo lifestyle is to exercise for about 10 to 30 minutes two times per week. These strength exercises involve major muscles groups, which help burn fat and release growth hormones. Be as explosive as you can while keeping form. Remember to progress appropriately. Building strength takes time, and trying to progress too quickly isn't worth the risk of injuring yourself, which can really set you back.

When living a Paleo lifestyle —like cave men — you gotta move! Making exercising a priority when living Paleo is super smart for your health and well-being. The key to looking and feeling healthy is understanding that your body needs exercise and movement to fuel you with energy. Making this one lifestyle change will have a major impact on reducing your risk of slow, progressing chronic diseases, and it will improve your quality of life.

The best way to guarantee success with adapting a Paleo lifestyle — eating like cave men — is to develop new routines, new habits, and new favorite foods. If you identify a short list of must-have foods that satisfy your nutritional needs and your appetite, stock your kitchen with them so you can avoid feelings of deprivation.