A lot of the recipes I like to use are here:
http://paleoleap.com

What I usually tell people is to start with a 30 day clean diet such as this:
http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/

(No I am not shilling for these people, just get the dietary info you need, no need to sign up for anything)

And then introduce foods if you like and see how you feel, etc. My advice is if you can't handle 30 days of eating clean, then how serious are you really about your long term health?

This holiday season I had some chocolate (Mmmm ferrero) a bit too much to drink, a few naughty food items. Man am I ever GRUMPY as all hell now! Sugar really is like a drug.

Also, watching your sugar intake? If you're eating bread, and lots of carbs, that's still glucose, it's essentially the same thing. I don't do the gluten free #%&*$#, who knows what's in that anyway.

To answer the question about carbs, we actually do eat carbs (we as in my family) lots of sweet potatoes, even the odd *gasp* white potato here and there. Key thing is, we still make everything from scratch. I know exactly what ingredients I use, there's no mystery there. I make my own mayo, (takes 1 minute and tastes awesome) ketchup, whatever.

The reason I've stuck with it, is that it works. If you're a fatass, the fat will disappear. It's not some weight watchers #%&*$#, where you may lose a pound a week or what not. Took me 3 months to drop 50lb. It was more like 65, but people just don't believe me so I just say 50.

Downsides? I haven't had a beer in years. No chips, no chocolate bars, no soda, no juice, no bread, no cake, no cookies, no nothing. However I eat lots of seafood, bacon & steak and good veggies to make up for it smile