Guest post: Eating paleo in Chiang Mai (JohnnyFD)

I first heard of the Paleo diet years ago, but since I've been living and traveling around Chiang Mai, I always had excuses why I couldn't start it.  I started eating what I called a "modified" paleo diet, or a Thai Paleo diet, which was basically Paleo with rice.  Months passed without good results until one day, a good friend I met at CrossFit gave it to me straight.  He told me to stop making excuses and to set goals on what I wanted to achieve.  

Three months ago I decided to get in the best shape of my life, work towards getting six-pack abs and take back my health, energy and finally start eating true paleo.

Turns out, it's actually a lot easier to eat Paleo in Chiang Mai than I once though.  Here's how to do it.

You have two choices, eat at home or eat out.  As I live in a small room without a kitchen, I thought my only choice was to eat out and it became difficult to try to communicate with the Thai restaurant owners what I wanted and didn't want in my food.  So I made the decision to set up a small cooking area in my room.  For 400 baht ($13.33US) you can buy a small table top burner, and it's been the best decision I've ever made.  

What to eat for Breakfast:

I cook up some bacon or thinly sliced pork belly and use the bacon oil to scramble a few eggs.  To change it up I often eat it with a side of Kim Chee which is a Korean side dish full of probiotics which I buy at Full House Korean Restaurant on Nimmanhaemin for 150 baht ($5) per kilo.

What to eat for Lunch:

At the Tesco Lotus Supermarkets or even the smaller Express versions you can buy all the Vegetables and Meat you wish.  I cook everything in Anchor New Zealand Grass-Fed Butter which I buy in bulk at Markko Cash & Carry.  The easiest meals are cooking up a prewashed and prechopped 30 baht ($1US) package of veggies with a few eggs or some chicken breast.  I cook it all in one pan and it only takes me a few minutes to cook and clean up.

What to eat for Dinner:

I go out for dinner every night, mainly to unwind and socialize after CrossFit.  A group of us alternates between eating Southern Style Ribs at Three Little Pigs 280 baht ($9.33US), or All You Can Eat Thai BBQ Buffet for 150 baht ($5US) 

If you stay away from the free ice cream and desserts and just eat the grilled meats, and boiled vegetables, you'll be eating Paleo easily and get more than enough protein.  

The Results:

With a combination of doing CrossFit regularly, and eating a Paleo diet without rice, grains or wheat for the past two and a half months I've lost 2 inches on my waist, gained muscle, and am more fit than ever!  If you're serious about eating Paleo in Thailand, it's easy!  You just have to decide it's important and stick with it.  

About the Author:

Johnny FD has been living and traveling around Thailand for the past four years.  Originally from San Francisco, after reading the 4-hour Workweek, Johnny quit his job, sold his car and decided to travel around Thailand Scuba Diving and training Muay Thai Professionally.  You can read more about his 4-hour Workweek lifestyle and get his book, "12 Weeks in Thailand: The Good Life on the Cheap" on his blog at www.JohnnyFD.com