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. If it was made in a factory, forget about it!
What foods can you eat on a paleo diet? ›
A paleo diet is an eating plan based on foods humans might have eaten during the Paleolithic Era. The Paleolithic Era dates from around 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. A modern paleo diet includes fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds.
Can you eat bananas on a 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 meats can you eat on paleo? ›
Meat: Beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, pork, and others. Fish and seafood: salmon, trout, haddock, shrimp, shellfish, etc (choose wild-caught if you can) Eggs: may be free-range, pastured, or omega-3 enriched. Vegetables: broccoli, kale, peppers, onions, carrots, tomatoes, etc.
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!
What is not allowed on a paleo diet? ›
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.
What are red flags of the paleo diet? ›
Over time, people following the diet could see increases in cholesterol, particularly the less healthy cholesterol. This could increase the risk of heart disease. Not getting enough calcium increases the risk of osteoporosis, rickets, and bone fractures.
What carbs can you eat on paleo? ›
Paleo, High-Carb Foods
- Sweet potatoes and yams.
- Plantains.
- Taro root.
- Winter squashes, like butternut squash or acorn squash.
- Tropical fruits, like mangoes, pineapples, bananas, and dates.
A Paleo-diet purist will tell you no, all cheese should be avoided on a Paleo lifestyle. Paleolithic humans didn't milk cows or process dairy. This is one case in which keto diet rules are much more lax than paleo.
Can you drink 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.
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.
Is popcorn paleo? ›
Popcorn is technically not considered paleo since it's a whole grain. However, most paleo experts agree that it's not a horrible snack to have in moderation, especially when it's prepared fresh and cooked in a healthy fat like coconut oil.
Can you eat hamburger on paleo? ›
Eating out on the paleo diet is easier than you think! Enjoy a burger at any burger joint, just skip the bun. In fact, several fast food chains even offer burgers wrapped in lettuce “buns.” Give it a try! If you're headed to a burrito restaurant, go for a burrito bowl, and skip the beans, rice, and cheese.
Is bacon OK for paleo? ›
Bacon is one of the ultimately-loved Paleo foods. It is generally prepared from the fatback, the sides, or the belly of the pig. These cuts are then cured using salt, either in a brine (with water) or via dry packing.
Can you eat oatmeal on paleo? ›
Why are Oats not Paleo-friendly? Although oats are a non-fattening healthy food for a more mainstream diet, oats do contain anti-nutrients that the Paleo diet aims to avoid such as phytic acid, lectins, and avenin. Not only do oats contain a few anti-nutrients, but they are also often contaminated with gluten.
Are potatoes allowed on the paleo diet? ›
Potatoes are a tuber and were part of the early human diet, so you can eat them on the paleo diet. The paleo diet is sometimes called the caveman or Stone Age diet.
Is Rice allowed on paleo? ›
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.
