8 Criticisms of the Paleo Diet
So, whilst I regularly write about the benefits of following a Paleo diet, it wouldn't be fair for me not to be completely honest. Sadly, as with lots of things, there are negatives to this way of life.
I thought I’d share my list of 8 bad points of my Primal journey.
1. I've lost my productive time between midnight and the early hours of the morning. Since I've been Paleo I'm now fast asleep far earlier in the evening and I naturally rise early, full of energy
2. I've been forced to donate lots of perfectly good clothes to charity – and spend a small fortune replacing them with smaller sizes
3. I'm really behind on my reading, as I no longer get to read on the bus to work, as I always walk or run in due to having so much excess energy
4. I get funny looks from adults and children point at me when I wear my Vibrams
5. Shopping takes so much longer because I have to read the ingredients of everything – even things I have no intention of buying.
6. I've not had the need to have any sick days from work for a very long time
7. I often don’t notice it’s cold until I see people around me in many more layers than I have on
8. I can’t walk past a fast food outlet without looking in, in amazement at the people “eating” there
More Terrible Side Effects of Going Paleo
Since sharing the original 8 complaints I’ve experienced since going Paleo, I’ve realised there are quite a few more “downsides” I forgot to mention. If you’re new to the lifestyle, consider this your fair warning — because these unfortunate consequences may well affect you too.
9. I’ve become a meal-prep machine
One of the worst things about going Paleo? I now cook so much that friends assume I’m qualified to open a restaurant. My kitchen has become a prep zone of roasted veg, slow-cooked meats, and emergency freezer meals that could feed a small village. I used to rely on toast or pasta for dinner, but now I’m that annoying person who always has something ready to go — made from scratch, of course. What happened to spontaneity (and laziness)?
10. My pantry is now Pinterest-worthy
Honestly, it’s quite distressing. What started as a simple lifestyle change has somehow turned into a full-blown aesthetic. Glass jars, labelled spices, neatly stacked coconut flour, activated nuts, bone broth jars… I barely recognise myself. Gone are the days of processed packets shoved into a corner — now it looks like a health food influencer lives here, and frankly, the pressure to maintain it is immense.
11. I can’t enjoy bad coffee anymore
This one hurts. Since cutting out sugar and milk, I’ve discovered that the average café coffee tastes like burnt bitterness in a paper cup. Now I need organic beans, proper extraction, maybe even a dash of coconut cream. It’s exhausting. And don’t even mention instant — I’d rather go caffeine-free than suffer that again. Thanks, Paleo, for ruining my tolerance for mediocrity.
12. I have to pretend to miss bread
People are always so sympathetic when they find out I “can’t eat bread.” They look at me with sad eyes, as if I’ve just lost a loved one. So I nod, smile politely and say something vague — but the truth is, I don’t miss it at all. Bread never made me feel this good. It’s just awkward constantly pretending I have some deep, unfulfilled longing for toast. I don’t. Please stop offering.
13. I’m annoyingly energetic in the morning
I used to be someone who needed two alarms and a 15-minute Instagram scroll before facing the world. Now? I wake up before my alarm, stretch, and head out for a walk like some smug wellness guru. Honestly, I miss the grogginess. The emotional drama of morning me is gone, replaced by someone who actually enjoys early starts. Who is she?
14. Supermarkets have become treasure hunts
I used to whizz through the aisles, buying whatever was on special. Now I spend 45 minutes reading ingredient labels, checking for hidden sugars, seed oils, or mysterious “flavourings.” It’s like solving a puzzle every time I shop. The worst part? I actually enjoy it. My trolley might be full of organic veg and ethical meat — but I still feel like a detective with a noble cause.
15. I can’t watch cooking shows anymore
What was once harmless background noise now feels like nutritional horror. Watching someone deep-fry cheese-filled pasta and top it with breadcrumbs makes my skin crawl. “Just a little sugar,” they say. “Light olive oil,” they smile, as they sauté on high heat. I scream internally. I miss the days when I could watch those shows without flinching. Ignorance really was bliss.
16. Eating out is far too easy now
I thought eating Paleo would make dining out hard — but instead, it’s simplified everything. Steak and salad, fish and greens, grilled veggies with olive oil… I barely look at the menu anymore. Friends are still flipping through page after page, unsure what to pick. Me? I’m already enjoying my sparkling water and deciding whether to add avocado or not. It’s taken the decision fatigue away — and where’s the chaos in that?
17. People keep asking for my recipes
I used to be the one asking others how they made their dishes. Now, I’m fending off recipe requests for my herb-roasted sweet potatoes, slow-cooked pulled lamb, and almond flour muffins. It's become a full-time job explaining that, no, there’s no dairy, grains or sugar in them — and yes, they still taste good. Being popular for your food sounds fun… until your inbox becomes a Paleo help desk.
18. I actually enjoy saying no
Refusing processed snacks and sugar-filled treats used to feel like self-denial. Now? I enjoy saying no. I feel empowered turning down the free office cupcakes. I smile when I bypass the lolly aisle. It’s not willpower — it’s just that I’d rather eat something that makes me feel good. And somehow that’s worse, because now I have no excuse for a snack-fuelled breakdown. Rude.
In Summary: Beware the Side Effects
If you’re considering starting a Paleo lifestyle, just know what you’re getting into. You may sleep better, feel better, look better, and become an energetic morning person with clear skin and zero reliance on junk food — but at what cost?
The next time someone asks, “So what’s the catch with Paleo?”, feel free to point them here. It’s not all sunshine and bone broth… actually, wait — it kind of is.
Have you experienced any of these tragic side effects since going Paleo? Or perhaps you've uncovered more unintended “drawbacks”? Let me know in the comments — we can suffer through this vibrant, energised, and absurdly healthy life together.
Have you also experienced downsides to Paleo? Please share your complaints in the comments, below.