What is Paleo Diet vs Bulletproof Diet vs Ketogenic Diet?

The Paleo, Bulletproof and Ketogenic Diets are three of the hottest lifestyle diet plans out there these days—every one of which burns up the internet and blogosphere about as intensely as they do excess body fat. Proponents of each swear by their results, with criticisms tending to focus primarily on a person’s inability to adapt to their dietary guidelines (not on the science producing their gains).

What is Paleo Diet vs Bulletproof Diet vs Ketogenic Diet? – Analysis & Review of the Hottest Diet Plans

Given the fact that the vast majority of cutting-edge research overwhelmingly supports the validity of “Ketosis”—which is the FUNDAMENTAL BASIS for each of these diets—incredible gains can be achieved, and even sustained, even if one is only willing to commit to a fraction of their nutritional requirements…

Which is why Blender Babes is providing our community with a straightforward and unbiased analysis and review of each of these cutting-edge dietary regimens—all in the hopes that this valuable introductory information can be used to determine whether or not one of these nutritional philosophies may be right for you!

Ketosis – Understanding the Fundamentals  

The Paleo, Bulletproof and Ketogenic Diet Plans all produce incredible energy and staggeringly dramatic weight loss because they SEVERELY RESTRICT carbohydrate intake. This in turn radically shifts your metabolism’s fuel source from that of sugar, to fat—the AMOUNTS and QUALITY of which establish the crucial differences between all of these diets…

And though the bio-chemical reactions taking place in the body while in ketosis are rather complicated, the only ketogenic concepts you need to understand are that the more good healthy fats you have in your diet…

• The more efficient you are at burning excess body fat
• The more your hunger will be satiated
• The longer you can go without food
• The sharper and more clear your mind and thoughts become

Basically eating this way lights up your evolutionary biology, and allows you to access ALL the stored energy in your adipose tissue (AKA body fat), which is exactly how Mother Nature allowed our ancestors to endure periods of famine.

Carbohydrates & Sugar – What Mother Nature Made Hard to Get, Man Made Easy

When you think about carbohydrate and sugar consumption in terms of how hard it was for our hunter-gatherer ancestors to actually get at these tasty treats, the reasons why ketogenic-based diet plans seem to work so well become remarkably clear…

In the past carbohydrates and sugar were only available to mankind in whatever nuts, seeds and berries they could find, as fruit for just a few months a year during harvest time, or as honey, which was guarded by bees… Nowadays however, processed sugar is in nearly EVERYTHING people eat. This dangerously addictive form of sugar is radically and unequivocally more disastrous than low Glycemic Index scoring natural sugar, which is absolutely necessary for survival (even on a pure Ketogenic Diet) and when part of an overall balanced nutritional regimen, is incredibly hard to over consume.

Basically Mother Nature made sugar hard to get, while man has made it ridiculously easy.

What is Paleo Diet vs Bulletproof Diet vs Ketogenic Diet? – the Foundational Acceptance

So although many people view carbohydrate-restricted diets as just way too extreme, all one has to do is look at our country’s rapidly increasing obesity epidemic in order to understand that the current government recommended heavy carbohydrate/grain-based diet is the epicenter of our exploding healthcare problems.

And though the specific sources of carbohydrates and sugars that the vast majority of people OVER CONSUME are far more complicated than this particular article is going to address, this issue, at the very least, had to be mentioned—if only to give those unfamiliar with Paleo vs Bulletproof vs Ketogenic Diets some frame of reference with respect to EXACTLY WHY increasing numbers of people are not only hitting their weight loss goals while on these diets, but thundering right on past them!

And with all of the preceding as a solid foundation, the principles and specifics of the Paleo, Bulletproof and Ketogenic Diets can be much more easily related to, understood, and accepted.

Overview of the Ketogenic Diet 

The Ketogenic Diet appears to be the most biologically based of all three of these cutting-edge nutritional regimens (although compelling arguments abound in the Paleo and Bulletproof camps as well). Those utilizing even a modest Ketogenic Diet Plan can quickly plunge their body into “Ketosis,” which is the normal physiologic response to carbohydrate restriction and/or fasting.

Ketosis is the body’s FAT BURNING MODE. It is the metabolic state in which the body’s energy comes from fat reserves, and as long as you continue to derive the vast majority of your caloric intake from good healthy fats, these reserves (all the fat on your body) will continuously be burned for fuel—making it BIOLOGICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to carry around excess weight.

Typically ketosis kicks in after just a few days of eating roughly 20 NET grams of carbohydrates per day.

The Ketogenic Diet Requires:

• Roughly 75 percent of caloric intake from good healthy fats (oils, seeds, nuts and animals)
• Roughly 20 percent of caloric intake from fatty animal protein, nuts & seeds
• Roughly 5 percent of caloric intake from low Glycemic index scoring carbohydrates (leafy greens & non-starchy vegetables)

Food Sources on the Ketogenic Diet

The Ketogenic Diet Plan consists of some of the most deliciously nourishing foods mankind has ever tasted; however, for the past few generations modern American society been shunning nearly all of them at increasingly alarming rates.

Ketogenic Sources of Good Healthy Fats & Animal Protein Include:

• Grass-fed meat, bacon, cheese, eggs, butter and ghee
• Salmon, scallops, sardines and tuna
• Duck, duck fat and goose
• Oysters and mussels
• Raw nuts and seeds
• Avocados
• Olives and Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Beef tallow and lard

Consuming Carbohydrates on the Ketogenic Diet

Though many believe restricting carbohydrate intake on a Ketogenic Diet Plan is incredibly difficult—which of course at first it totally is—the more you focus on eating good healthy fats that you actually like, the easier eating less carbs becomes.

A solid strategy for consuming carbohydrates when first starting out on a ketogenic nutritional program is to just allow yourself to eat oranges, kiwis, pineapple, grapes, raisins, figs—basically whatever sweet fruits and other high Glycemic Index scoring carbs you want that’ll curb those inevitable cravings for refined sugar… Buuutttttt while also remembering to take in copious amounts of those good healthy fats that your body is now suppose to run on!

Slowly introducing your body to ketosis this way is not only easy, it also satisfies your body’s sugar requirements—which is the fuel source it needs for fast EXPLOSIVE energy (think, our ancestors having to sprint full-speed away from a lion at the drop of a hat; that’s Mother Nature’s ultimate purpose for energy derived from carbohydrates).

So basically, the more good healthy fats you eat, the more your cravings for sugar will naturally diminish. Before you know it, you’ll be satisfying your carbohydrate requirements with more green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, and other low Glycemic Index scoring carbs like raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries and strawberries.

Prominent Proponents of the Ketogenic Diet

For those wanting a more in-depth nutritional and scientific understanding of the Ketogenic Diet Plan, two of its most prominent proponents are Gary Taubes, author of the books “Good Calories, Bad Calories” and “Why We Get Fat” and Peter Attia, an M.D. who subjected himself to an intense yet realistic Ketogenic Diet and documented his findings every step of the way on his website.

 IMPORTANT DIETARY NOTE: The Ketogenic Diet should only be attempted by healthy people; if you are diabetic, pregnant, or have kidney problems you should always consult a physician before making any radical dietary changes.

Overview of the Paleo Diet

The Paleo Diet brings a little more of a philosophical flare into their overall health regimen. Contrary to what those unfamiliar with this ancestral diet believe, the Paleo Diet isn’t a starvation diet (which is how many incorrectly view all ketogenic-based diets). Proponents highlight the fact that our Paleolithic ancestors were bigger, stronger, and had far better jaw lines and teeth than the farmers and city dwellers that followed to illustrate their overall point—which is that the way our ancestors lived offered a much more robust existence.

According to Mark Sisson, one of the more popular authorities in the Paleo arena (as well as one who advocates a lower carb and more inclusive form of Paleo—allowing for indulgences like red wine and dark chocolate), the Paleo Diet or “primal” way of eating also encompasses a totally healthier lifestyle that requires regular and varying degrees of exercises.

The ultimate goal of a Paleo Diet Plan is to turn you into a FAT-BURNING BEAST, while simultaneously making your metabolism utilize sugar as efficiently as possible—and whenever necessary. Striving for the finest in metabolic flexibility, diehard Paleo dieters believe that human beings should be able to run on good healthy fats AND carbohydrates (though in significantly less proportions than a pure Ketogenic Diet).

All FAT-BURNING BEASTS, their assumptions go, should be able to burn up all of their body’s glycogen (sugar) reserves through intense exercise, then draw upon available body fat, as well as the healthy fats in their diet, for all long-term energy needs…

All of which provides the most efficient and flexible metabolism—one that effortlessly switches between fat- and sugar-burning at the drop of a hat… ultimately resulting in the truly Paleo-adapted being able to dramatically increase their overall physical performance.

Food Sources on the Paleo Diet

True Paleo diets consist of foods that can be foraged, hunted, gathered or fished. Seafood, pasture-raised meats and wild game make up the foundation of the diet, with plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables, coconuts and coconut products, avocados, olives (again, ANYTHING that could be hunted, gathered, foraged or fished is considered Paleo 😉 rounding out the diet.

And since cows hadn’t yet been domesticated during the Paleolithic Era, dairy isn’t part of the diet (though Sisson and numerous others in the Paleo arena allow for its occasional use).

In keeping with the unreliable availability of food that our hunter-gatherer ancestors inevitably endured, those following a Paleo Diet Plan also believe that you should eat at varying times (basically whenever hungry), drink whenever thirsty, and that counting calories isn’t necessary.

So with the bulk of meals coming from protein and good healthy fat, with essentially whatever forms of high and low Glycemic Index scoring carbohydrates you feel like, this “caveman diet” offers much more flexibility than a purely Ketogenic Diet.

However there are several key dietary restrictions, all of which the proponents feel quite strongly lie at the very heart of why modern men and women suffer so greatly from varying degrees of chronic degenerative disease.

The Paleo Diet Restricts:

• Wheat
• Grains
• Corn
• Soy
• Dairy
• Refined sugar
• Vegetable oils

As well as anything of course that’s been processed… with again, the rule of thumb being that unless it’s been hunted, gathered, foraged or fished (in the wild­—for those thinking you can “forage” at the store and “gather” your favorite candy and ice cream!) it ain’t considered Paleo!

Prominent Proponents of the Paleo Diet

For those wanting a more in-depth nutritional and scientific understanding of the Paleo Diet, Dr. Loren Cordain is considered one of the leading authorities in evolutionary biology and has written numerous books about the Paleo Diet. And Mark Sisson’s incredibly popular health and fitness blog can be found at marksdailyapple.com.

For the BEST recipes from top cooks specializing in paleo, Blender Babes recommend the #1 ebook for paleo, we use it on our iPad! We also love these paleo recipe cookbooks, Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry and Practical Paleo (stay tuned for recipes from each book coming soon to BlenderBabes.com!)

For complete meal plans, we highly recommend The Paleo Plan. They have weekly meal plans sent to you and there’s also a 14 day free trial. This is great for paleo newbies all the way to paleo chefs! Nothing else like it available, anywhere.

IMPORTANT DIETARY NOTE: The Paleo Diet should only be attempted by healthy people; if you are diabetic, pregnant, or have kidney problems you should always consult a physician before making any radical dietary changes.

Overview of the Bulletproof Diet

Which brings us to arguably the most intriguing of the diets: The Bulletproof Diet.

The Bulletproof Diet is the brainchild of David Asprey, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur who over the course of 15 years spent more than $300,000 hacking his own biology. Having lost 100 pounds without counting calories or excessive exercise, added 20 IQ points to his intellectual capacity, lowered his biological age and learned to sleep more efficiently in less time, Asprey radically transformed nearly every aspect of his life for the better.

Utilizing an impressive array of technology to “biohack” everything imaginable about his own metabolic processes, Asprey became “Bulletproof”—which he defines as being able to control his mind and body, as well as his biochemistry, ultimately being able to make them work in synergistic harmony…

Thus allowing him to operate at incredible levels of consciousness without burning out, getting sick, or succumbing to stress.

IMPORTANT BULLETPROOF NOTE: Asprey defines “biohacking” as learning about your own biology in order to gain control over, and master, all of your physiological responses and functions. And though he describes himself as a “professional biohacker,” Asprey’s work hasn’t been evaluated by peers, duplicated by scientists, or published in scientific journals.

The Bulletproof Diet Requires:

• Roughly 55 percent of caloric intake from good healthy fats
• Roughly 20 percent of caloric intake from animal protein
• Roughly 15 percent of caloric intake from vegetables
• Roughly 10 percent of caloric intake from carbohydrates

Food Sources on the Bulletproof Diet

Asprey describes his Bulletproof Diet as “Paleo without the toxins.” Utilizing foods that fuel the body, nourish the brain and optimize physical performance, the diet is easy to follow and allows for plenty of variation and experimentation. The foods are also arranged in a spectrum—from “Bulletproof” to “Toxic”—so you can choose just how Bulletproof you want to become.

Bulletproof Foods Include:

• Beverages – Bulletproof Coffee (which is made with upgraded coffee beans), high-quality green tea, diluted coconut milk and mineral water
• Vegetables – Cilantro, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, fennel, celery, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, avocados and cucumber
• Oil & Fats – Bulletproof Upgraded Brain Octane (this is the real deal – for the serious Bulletproof followers we recommend the upgraded brain octane for your morning bulletproof coffee!), Bulletproof Upgraded MCT Oil & Ghee, pastured egg yolks, krill oil, grass-fed meat fat and marrow, coconut oil and avocado oil, chocolate and cacao butter.
• Dairy – Bulletproof Ghee, organic grass-fed butter and colostrum
• Protein – Bulletproof Upgraded Whey 2.0, Collagen Protein & CollaGelatin, grass-fed beef and lamb
• Carbohydrates – Sweet potatoes, yams, carrots, pumpkin and butternut squash
• Fruit – Blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, lemons and limes

In addition to which, the Bulletproof Diet also recommends optimal times to eat during the day, as well strategies for altering the diet throughout the week for maximum physical and mental performance.

Bulletproof – the State of High Performance

For those interested get the book: the Bulletproof Diet. For those looking for a quick way to get started with bulletproof coffee, or if you’re trying to find the perfect gift, check out his wide variety of Bulletproof Kits. There’s something for everyone! Including those who want a caffeine free Bulletproof way to start their day! David Asprey also offers an array of free information on his website. There you’ll be able to download the specifics of his diet (which will only cost you an e-mail address), as well as learn about the various biohacking techniques he’s currently utilizing.

IMPORTANT DIETARY NOTE: The Bulletproof Diet should only be attempted by healthy people; if you are diabetic, pregnant, or have kidney problems you should always consult a physician before making any radical dietary changes.

Sssooo… What is Paleo Diet vs Bulletproof Diet vs Ketogenic Diet? – Share Your Journey

Blender Babes couldn’t be more excited about bringing this incredible information to the members of our community who want to know if the Paleo, Bulletproof or Ketogenic Diets are the dietary regimens they should be following. Please let us know about any and all successes and/or setbacks in the Comments Section you experience while giving any one of these powerful naturalistic ways of living a try.

Live Healthier! And as always,

Happy Blending!
~Team Blender Babes