Paleo Diet Food List: What You Can Eat on Paleo
There are plenty of foods that can be enjoyed on the paleo diet. A general rule of thumb for your paleo grocery list? The less processed, the better! Many types of foods will build the base of your new paleo eating plan. Firstly, meat! Beef, chicken, turkey, and pork can all be on your shopping list. If possible, opt for grass-fed and organic cuts. And then there’s fish and seafood such as salmon, mackerel, tilapia, and shrimp – whatever you like! Reach for wild-caught, if available. Don’t forget, you can also have eggs – choose free-range if you can.Fill up your cart with any and all vegetables; from broccoli, cauliflower, peppers and carrots to lettuce, kale, and avocado…the list goes on and on! Of course, any and all fruits are welcome on the paleo diet including apples, oranges, pears, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and more. And don’t forget tubers such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, yams, and so on.
Nuts and seeds such as macadamia nuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds play an important role on the paleo diet. As do healthy fats and oils from fruits or nuts (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil coconut oil, walnut oil, etc.). And go wild with spices: salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, turmeric, chili peppers, cinnamon, rosemary…the choice is yours!Make sure your paleo shopping list is full of these foods. Again, go for grass-fed and organic options if you can. And remember! Choose the least processed options.
FAQs
The paleo diet is meant to resemble what our hunter-gatherer ancestors consumed tens of thousands of years ago, and the baseline rule is this: eat whole foods and avoid processed foods. A paleo meal plan is full of vegetables and fruits, fish, lean meats, nuts, and seeds.
What foods can you eat on a paleo diet? ›
A modern paleo diet includes fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds. These are foods that in the past people could get by hunting and gathering. It doesn't include foods that became more common when small-scale farming began about 10,000 years ago.
What is the paleo diet easy guide? ›
Paleo diet beginner's guide
- Fill up on meat and fish. Even if you're not hunting, be on the lookout for meat. ...
- Get rid of grains. Forget about those grains. ...
- Pile on produce—but let go of legumes. ...
- Eat dairy sparingly, if at all. ...
- Up the healthy fat factor. ...
- Keep your sugars natural. ...
- Stay away from packaged foods.
The diet excludes cereal grains, legumes, dairy, processed oils, refined sugar, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and trans fats. Some paleo-friendly foods include lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Are bananas OK on paleo diet? ›
Many paleo followers wonder if bananas are paleo because of their higher sugar content. They are considered paleo. One medium banana has 113 calories, 2 grams of fiber and 26 grams of carbohydrates. Bananas are an unprocessed, whole food with a good source of potassium.
What fruit is allowed on paleo? ›
Of course, any and all fruits are welcome on the paleo diet including apples, oranges, pears, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and more. And don't forget tubers such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, yams, and so on.
How many meals a day on paleo diet? ›
There really is no need to eat more than 3 meals per day, but if you get hungry then here are some paleo snacks that are simple and easily portable: Baby carrots. Hard boiled eggs. A piece of fruit.
Can you eat rice on a paleo diet? ›
Strict paleo dieters exclude all grains from their diets — including rice — primarily due to their high phytate content. Although it's technically prohibited, many people still consume small amounts of white rice while following a paleo diet because it's lower in phytates, compared with other types.
What foods are on the menu for a person who follows the paleo diet? ›
Foods allowed on the Paleo diet:
- Leafy vegetables.
- Fresh fruit.
- Seafood.
- Grass-fed meat.
- Root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes.
- Free-range poultry and eggs.
- Nuts and seeds, plus unsalted butters made from them.
- Healthy oils, such as olive oil, avocado oil, flaxseed oil, coconut oil, macadamia oil, and walnut oil.
The paleo diet is an eating pattern that's designed to mimic the diets of early hunter-gatherer human ancestors. Some research has found that this way of eating may help increase weight loss, promote heart health, and support better blood sugar control.
Yes — sweet potatoes are generally considered a paleo-approved food, however, some paleo dieters prefer to limit their consumption to avoid consuming too many carbohydrates that spike their blood sugar levels.
What is the bad side of paleo diet? ›
This diet can put you at risk for deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D, which are critical to bone health. At the same time, you may consume saturated fat and protein far above recommended levels due to eating so much meat.
What to drink on a paleo diet? ›
Sparkling waters, mineral waters and soda water are all paleo-friendly, so long as you check the additives for processed ingredients to ensure the natural flavor really is natural.
Is peanut butter paleo? ›
Peanuts are technically legumes, which are not paleo compliant, and that means peanut butter is off limits for paleo eaters. All other nuts and seeds are fair game, so if nuts and seeds are the only ingredients, snack away!
Is peanut butter OK for paleo diet? ›
Peanuts are technically legumes, which are not paleo compliant, and that means peanut butter is off limits for paleo eaters. All other nuts and seeds are fair game, so if nuts and seeds are the only ingredients, snack away!
Are potatoes allowed on paleo? ›
Unprocessed potatoes can be included on the paleo diet, while processed forms like potato chips or dehydrated mashed potatoes should not be included.
Can you have coffee on paleo? ›
While we have said in the past that coffee is not Paleo, we have changed our position based on new research and now we believe that coffee is fine for most people. It boasts numerous health benefits, like longevity, mental performance, and a healthy gut, and it could be beneficial for many.
