Paleo vs. Keto

When I first started exploring healthier eating habits beyond what I was “fed” as “healthy”, I stumbled across two major dietary lifestyles that kept popping up: Paleo and Keto. Both had huge followings, glowing testimonials, and the promise of better energy, weight loss, and overall health. Curious and a little overwhelmed, I decided to try Paleo first, then Keto—each for a few months. After experimenting with both, allow me to share my personal experience, what worked for me, what didn’t, and what I learned along the way.

What’s the difference anyway?

Before diving into the pros and cons, here’s a quick breakdown:

• Paleo (aka “The caveman diet”) is about eating the way our ancestors supposedly did—whole, unprocessed foods. That means meat, fish, eggs, veggies, fruits, nuts, and healthy fats. No grains, legumes, dairy, or refined sugar.

• Keto (ketogenic diet) is high fat, moderate protein, and very low carb. The goal is to shift your body into ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of glucose.

They overlap quite a bit. Both cut out processed foods and grains, but they have different goals and rules.

My Paleo experience

I started with Paleo because it felt more natural and less restrictive. I loved the emphasis on clean, real food.

Pros of Paleo

• Whole-food focus: I felt more energised from all the nutrient-dense meals.

• Flexibility: I could enjoy fruits and starchy vegetables, which helped with variety and satisfaction.

• Digestive improvements: Cutting out processed foods and dairy noticeably helped with bloating and my skin improved a lot!

• No counting or macros: It felt more like a lifestyle than a strict diet.

Cons of Paleo

• Missing grains and legumes: I eventually missed baked beans, butter bean curry, salted peanuts, oats, hummus, and wild rice.

• Expensive: All the grass-fed meats and organic produce added up quickly.

• Tricky with treats: Even “Paleo treats” often had a lot of natural sugars, and I found myself overdoing it at times.

My Keto experience

After a few months on Paleo, I switched to Keto out of curiosity because I wanted to see what this “mental clarity” and rapid fat-burning was all about.

Pros of Keto

• Quick muscle toning: I noticed my muscles getting more defined within a couple of weeks.

• Mental clarity: Once I got past the “Keto flu,” my focus really did feel sharper.

• Satisfying meals: High-fat foods like avocados, nuts, and cheese (yum, finally!) kept me full for longer.

• Controlled appetite: I genuinely wasn’t as hungry nor craving snacks, which was a pleasant surprise. In fact, I could fast until past 2 PM without feeling hunger pangs.

Cons of Keto

• Strict carb limits: Even carrots or apples could be considered “too much,” which was frustrating, but now I don’t count root veggies and low-sugar fruits as carbs ;)

• Keto flu: The first few days were a little rough—the odd headache, slight fatigue, moodiness.

• Limited food variety: I missed fruits and sweet potatoes, which were a big part of my Paleo meals.

• Socially awkward: It was hard to eat out or join dinner plans without interrogating the menu.

So… Which one wins?

Honestly? Neither is perfect, but both have a lot to offer depending on your goals and mindset.

• If you want a more balanced, sustainable approach to clean eating, Paleo might be a better fit.

• If your goal is fat loss, improved focus and liver function, or better blood sugar control, Keto could be worth exploring, but it takes commitment.

For me, Paleo felt more forgiving and intuitive, while Keto was more intense but effective when I wanted a reset.

What I’m doing now

These days, I take a hybrid approach: Paleo sprinkled in on the weekends with mostly Keto on weekdays when I want to curb cravings or boost mental clarity. I’ve learned to listen to my body, and I now think of both diets more as tools rather than strict rules. I monitor my diet, intermittent fast, and keep myself in check without self-inflicting suffering…

Don’t feel like you have to commit to one diet tribe forever. Try, observe, adjust. And most importantly, find a way of eating that supports your life—not one that takes over it. Eating should still be pleasurable.

Remember: Eat to live, don’t live to eat.

Umayya xxx