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Paleo Trail – Revolutionary Food Tracking

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Today’s post is brought to you as a collaboration with my friend Kristin Jekielek. She recently launched a totally unique Paleo diet tracking site – Paleo Trail. This post is a Q&A so we can learn about Kristin and her new site. 

Kristin is definitely a Paleo eater extraordinaire! She’s been eating Paleo since July 2009 and loved it so much that she’s been committed to better health through clean eating ever since. She’s also very passionate about helping others make the switch. Previously, she created a couple other tools to help the average person go Paleo and stick with it. PaleoGoGo is an app that provides specific meal suggestions at over 300+ national chain restaurants in the US. Also, she’s no longer a part of it, but she was an original co-creator of FastPaleo, a recipe sharing website that allows anyone to upload and share recipes.

So without any further hesitation, let’s get cracking.  On with the questions.

Caveman: So what makes Paleo Trail so different from other diet trackers?

Paleo Trail doesn’t do any calorie counting or exact portion sizing like all the other online trackers. Instead, Paleo Trail has you rate the health-promoting quality of every meal. You do that by using the Quality Rating System:

Did you eat only health-promoting foods and ingredients? Then select the Supreme rating. Was it a cheat meal? Or did your meal fall somewhere in between? It’s all about focusing on making good choices.

Caveman: That’s pretty cool. What motivated you to build Paleo Trail?

I’m going to share some of my background to answer this one. I haven’t shared this with many people before, but I’ve struggled with an eating disorder for a long time. Paleo helped me realize that my symptoms were a result of food addictions to grains and sugar. This is simply the most powerful reason I have to continue eating Paleo – it drastically helped me resolve my eating disorder. Having a strong support system was also crucial for me, but eating strict Paleo is an essential piece of my recovery.

I also experienced some serious health issues in the past couple of years. From an iodine deficiency to hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis to adrenal fatigue, I worked with several alternative practitioners to address the root causes of my symptoms. One thing they all had in common was they all asked me to track my meals. It helped them understand if my diet was contributing to my symptoms in any way.

I was initially very nervous about tracking my diet because of my 14 year history with an eating disorder. I could handle writing down which foods I ate and when, but I simply couldn’t handle the calorie counting required by online sites. The solution was clearly to use a hand-written food journal, but I found that very inconvenient. It was also very difficult to review the overall quality of my diet over time. I created Paleo Trail as the diet tracker I wished I had during those months of detailed diet tracking and recovery.

Caveman: I don’t diet track because of my eating disorder past. How do you deal with that?

It all comes down to self-experimentation and what’s important to you. I would never pressure anyone with an eating disorder to try diet tracking just for the sake of it. It’s an extremely sensitive and personal issue, and each person will need to deal with it differently. That being said, I have recovered to a point where I want to focus on clean eating and am able to review past food choices without guilt. In fact, I enjoy tracking my diet with Paleo Trail. I can view how my eating habits have changed over time all the way back to the beginning of September! I find it fascinating, insightful, and very helpful. If you personally aren’t there, there’s zero shame in that because it’s all about following your own path.

Caveman: Who can benefit most from using Paleo Trail?

Paleo Trail is specifically for those who know what to eat and not to eat on a Paleo Diet, which is pretty simple at its core. Eat meat, veg, healthy fats, some fruit and nuts, and avoid the rest. Paleo Trail will be most useful for those who have an intimate understanding of their own optimal diet. They have the freedom to determine their own definition for each of the ratings. Whether or not you do dairy, shun nightshades, or eat low carb, your diet will always fit within the framework of the Quality Rating System.

Caveman: What are the most exciting benefits of using Paleo Trail?

The Paleo Trail Calendar is definitely the best reason to use Paleo Trail. It lets you see at-a-glance just how clean you’ve really been eating over the past month. Here’s a sample:

This feature is available whether you sign up for the Free or Complete membership because I feel that it’s important for everyone to be able to track the choices they made.

Caveman: We have an exciting giveaway for all you awesome readers!

Kristin is offering a free 1-year subscription to Paleo Trail Complete for the ultimate in diet tracking. The Complete membership includes detailed Reports and Analytics that help you improve your eating habits. See if you’re really eating 80/20, 90/10, or 100/0 and get actionable stats on your habits, and see insights into your cheating habits that will help you clean up your diet.  Even before we announce the winner, go ahead and sign up for a Paleo Trail Free membership now to begin tracking your diet today!

Here’s how to enter for the giveaway:

1.  Head on over and like my Facebook page HERE

2.  Head on over and like Paleo Trail on Facebook HERE

3.  Leave a comment on this post and that’s it

Giveaway Rules:

  • After this contest ends, I may take up to 48 hours to verify that all steps were legitimately completed before selecting and announcing a winner. If you don’t follow all of the steps, you WILL NOT be selected as a winner.
  • NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT IS NECESSARY TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY
  • This contest will run until time runs out on 2 January 2013 at 1700 PST. 
  • A winner will be selected at random
  • Once notified, the winner will have 24 hours to respond to collect the prize before another winner is chosen
  • At no point was I coerced or convinced to give a positive review of any of this product or sponsor a giveaway with it, all my actions in this giveaway are of my own free will
  • This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. I’m excited about trying this. I hate tracking, but know I need to do something to know why my results aren’t as expected. Thanks.

  6. I don’t have FB anymore, but this app sounds great as a Paleo beginner. Currently on my Whole30 for the first time and this sounds like it would be a wonderful organizational tool!

  7. My boyfriend recently started on the Paleo diet. I had no idea why he would torture himself in such a way. Here it is a few weeks later and he’s looking and feeling GREAT! Because we live together, many of the meals that I’ve been eating are Paleo. I think it sounds like a good idea! I’m trying to dig up the willpower to join him. Seeing this site and the amazing recipes has me convinced that I can lead a healthier lifestyle! Thank you!!

  8. I would love to win this! I have been flirting with the idea of going Paleo and adding it to my Gluten Free lifestyle I incorporated a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, gluten free is also very high in sugar and between that and health issues I am now 60-80 lbs. overweight. I need help, no bones about it! I began in December by joining a gym and am now ready for more. I am ready for 2013 to be my metamorphosis year!

  9. I already “liked\loved” Caveman Creations on FB and now I’ve ‘ve liked Paleo Trails…plus I signed up for the free version. Thanks!

  11. Just found this site and can’t wait to keep exploring all the helpful information. I just convinced my husband to start eating this way, so I’ve been hunting all kinds all of “interesting” and “exciting” tidbits for him. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes on him so he doesn’t feel like he is missing out.

  14. Already like you on FB Caveman and Liked PaleoTrails. Very excited to have a Paleo specific app to use!

  15. We are just starting the Paleo way of eating and are excited to see what tools there are to help. The tracking system sounds perfect!

  18. I always start to track my food and then feel guilty or frustrated when things don’t turn out the way I want them to. Since I’ve started adjusting to Paleo I’ve given up completely because I cook a lot and the regular trackers take forever unless its something packaged. Great idea for the quality tracker!!!

  20. Right now I track what I eat on paper. It would be nice to be able to do this on the computer and then to see how well you are doing at a glance. I like the option of being able to tell the program that you are eating 80/20 or 90/10 and it will calculate how well you are doing for you. Great Job!! THANKS!!

  21. Happy and Healthful New Year! Thank you for sharing your recipes and a part of your life with us all. Cheers!

  22. This looks like an awsome tool to have. I have been Paleo for only 3 months and can always use extra guidance!! I am having a blast trying new recipes from this site, various recommended books, etc. I even tried the beef tongue!! Awsome :) I’m hooked for life!

  23. Hi, first off, I have been a longtime lurker and love your site. Thanks so much for your recipes (my family especially loves all your stuff with your BBQ sauce on it). Second, I am intrigued by this idea. I have tracked through various sites and always find it tedious as I don’t really want to know about my calories and such. And I am always mentally going over my meals in my head at the end of each day- it would be nice to know how I am doing over the long term, not just day to day.

  24. Love this idea. I currently track with a calorie counter app. This sounds very ideal of what I need. :)

  29. This is just what I’ve been looking for! Counting calories with other trackers is very difficult when you need to add a new paleo recipe almost every day. This will be fantastic, thank you for letting me know!!!

  43. I’m looking forward to getting back on track after the holidays. Thank you for this fantastic tool! I need all the help I can get!

  44. After being bedridden since sept with pneumonia, I’m really looking forward to getting fit and healthy in ’13 – this looks like an ideal way to track what I’m putting in. Awesome – thanks x

  45. First off, Happy Belated Birthday! I hope it was wonderful. Second, thanks for introducing us to Kristin and Paleo Trail. Can’t wait to get started using it for tracking.

  47. Just found you and I can see the future. Off to my computer to get signed up. Thanks for your efforts.

  50. Happy Belated Birthday! I LOVE this idea..I honestly just stopped logging all my food and switched to just making notations of what I ate/amount and not worrying on calories etc (I track as I have Chron’s and like to make sure I have a record in case something starts to bother me:) Thanks for sharing!!

  64. I have been using this for this month and am digging the information in a glance!! HAPPY DAY OF SPANKINS, GEORGE!!

  65. This sounds awesome! I’m looking forward to trying it! I’ve been either manually tracking or computer tracking my food intake for years…

  66. Thank you for introducing Paleo Trail! I am waiting for my activation code so I can try it out:) Sounds much better than trying to track every ounce and measurement…calorie counting drives me into dark places in my mind that shouldn’t exist!

  67. I’ve been playing around with PaleoTrail for the past couple of weeks. It really is an awesome site!

  69. Love this idea for food tracking! Carrying around a notebook gets so old! Speaking of…happy belated birthday!!! :0)

  73. I’ve been reading up a lot on Paleo and I am excited to try all of this. Thank you so much for this blog/website. Some sort of food journal, whether manual or computer, should be used. It’s not always about counting calories, but tracking proteins, fats, fibers, and for me personally…sodium.

  87. i love the idea of paleo tracking. I’m struggling to lose the last 10 pounds and this is a sure-fire way to keep me accountable for every morsel I put into my mouth. Happy birthday, George!

  88. Liked both FB pages, and I’m going to sign up for PaleoTrail right now! This is exactly the kind of thing I’ve been wishing for!

  101. Already ‘liked’ your page. Liked Paleo Trail on FB, but, now I am looking at trying it out. Definitely has possibilities. Thanks for sharing this!

  111. I have been searching for a program just like this! I love the idea of journaling my food but most diet trackers are focused on calories, and I need something that doesn’t focus mainly on that. Regardless if I win, I’ll be signing up!

  113. Already “Liked” both pages….so happy birthday to our favorite Caveman and count me in for trying out Paleo Trail!

  118. Looks like a very important resource. Liked your page ages ago, paleo trail today and commenting here. Thanks for sharing!

  123. Thanks for the giveaway. I had already liked your page and have bought your ebook. Now I liked and added another paleo source, Paleo Trail.

  127. this would be perfect for me i really need something like this to keep my hectic life in check when it comes to keeping paleo.

  132. Happy Birthday! Hope your having a awesome day! Just liked Paleo Trail (previously liked your page)
    REALLY want to try Paleo Trail!

    THANKS!

  138. Brand new to paleo lifestyle and am LOVING IT!! Still having some difficulties transitioning fully with a family, husband and daughter who have a whole other lifestyle engrained in them but my health conditions make me intolerable to that lifestyle anymore and I say, thank god for paleo!! Love seeing tools like this being established to help people like me! Keep up the great work, we all appreciate it! :)

  140. This seems like it’d be totally helpful! I’ve tried regular trackers, but they don’t seem to fit me.

  147. This is a great idea escpecially for beginners like me. I feel so much better and instantly know when I eat inappropriate foods by the pain in my stomach. I was angry at first that I would have to give up the dairy, breads and pasta. Now that I am coming to grips with the program and am seeing the results by the weight coming off and the overall loss of inches I am feeling more confident. Happy Birthday! Here is to a cleaner way of eating…. Cheers!

  149. This is fascinating! I’ve kept food journals in the past and they were always really useful (not calories but what I ate and my exercise) but cumbersome. I’m interested in this. Thank you!

  150. Done! Happy Birthday! Hope it’s a great one!
    Love the idea of this app. It’s a great concept and a new way to really track if what you are eating is healthful rather than “on diet”!

  152. This would make my choices easier and life a bit simpler, let alone my family a whole lot healthier!

  153. Oh Happy Birthday! Put another candle on the Birthday Cake. Just love the idea of a Paleo Trail. While I am not totally Paleo because of Diabetes can’t eat the starchy vegetables and modify in other areas. The Trail will help with tracking my food and glucose numbers to know what is working and what needs to go. This idea is a real improvement on the standard blood sugar log. Can’t wait for my Endocrinologist to see this. Woohoo. So glad God brought you into my life, just at the right time.
    Birthday hugs
    Sarah

  154. I’m working toward eating clean, though I’ve already cleaned up a lot of my eating habits – lowered my sugar intake, avoid gluten and low-fat anything – but it’s not 100%. Lately (after all the holiday eating at other people’s homes) I’ve gained back about 8 pounds and I want to stop that NOW and start in the other direction. I’m not obsessive about losing weight, just pleasantly surprised that it’s a consequence of better eating, and I like the way I look and feel.

  155. Happy birthday! I also have found it difficult to find a tracking app/tool that really helps with the paleo lifestyle. I am quite excited about Paleo Trail!

  161. Happy Birthday!! Fellow Capricorn. My birthday is Jan 1.
    Keep up the good work. I really love your recipes.

  166. I am SOOOOOO excited to hear about Paleo Trail! I’ve been wanting a more manageable to track myself and this seems PERFECT! Thanks for sharing it and Happy Bday :)

  167. I already like your page George and Kristin I liked Paleo Trail and will be trying it out. I struggle with sugar addiction and I never record when I cheat because I feel a lot of remorse over it and also seeing the ginormous number of calories sets me up for restriction and binge behaviors.

    So thanks for a tracking app that hopefully will work for me!!

  171. Def going to look more into this program when I get a chance to sit down at the computer for a little bit longer than I have right now. Thanks so much for creating this, and for sharing it with us!

  172. Like your page a long time ago and just now liked Paleo Trail’s page. Sounds like a great tool!

  175. This sounds like a great idea! Making the transition with a family can be a tough thing to do – any help along the way is MUCH appreciated!

  176. This sounds awesome!! I am so sick of all the tracking apps and pages that are all about macros and calorie counts. They’re addicting in the wrong way!

    Already like you on FB and liked Paleo Trail!

    and…Happy Birthday!!

  180. I have a load of weight to release and need a new approach to my health. Paleo eating is new to me– However, it just “feels” right and natural to how my body wants to be nourished. Thank you for introducing Paleo Trail. This new tool (Paleo Trail), along with your website, are an excellent introduction and will greatly help my learning curve.

  181. I would love to win this. I’ve been trying to “convert” but the carbs, they keep calling me back. :-) Seriously, I am about 85% Paleo…my biggest problem is that I am not a big meat eater. So any help will..well, help.

    Thanks!

    ps Happy Birthday!

  184. I vaguely remember hearing something about Paleo Trail a few weeks ago and forgot about it, so thanks for the reminder! I’m gunna go check it out now :)

  186. Ok, I’ve like the pages and signed up for the free version. THanks for bringing this tool to my attention!!!

  187. Thanks for your inspiring post this morning. It helped shift my thinking. And I love the idea of the Paleo Trail.

  188. Been doing Paleo for a while but this would be so helpful to drop these stubborn pounds! Thanks George!!

  189. I signed up for the free version, I can’t wait to try it out! Went to face book and liked Paleo trail, already like Civilized Caveman!!

  190. I currently log my food in an online journal….but it is nothing like this! I love it, would love to win!

  193. I can’t wait to try it. Paleo has made a huge difference in my life. I have MS and have seen huge improvements in my health since going Paleo.

  194. Thanks for sharing George and Happy Birthday!
    I have already shared with a Facebook group – we are all doing Whole30 for the second time in January. This sounds great! I tracked through a spreadsheet when I did my first Whole30 in October. Think I will try this!
    Thanks Paleo Trail! Great idea! :-D

  198. It sounds really great, besides I love your book your Instagram mesages and Facebook I already trust you cause I’ve been devouring your recipes and they come out perfect so I trust you in this one as well.

  206. I’ve just started eating Paleo and would love any assistance I can get to stick with it!! Happy Holidays & Birthday.

  207. This sounds very interesting. I’ve tried recently to track meals just to get a rough figure of nutrients I’m taking in for a day, but this looks like it would be a much better option to check into.

  211. This sounds extremely interesting. I need more accountability so I’m definitely going to be checking this out. Thank you!

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