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? ›
What to eat
- Fruits.
- Vegetables.
- Nuts and seeds.
- Eggs.
- Lean meats, especially grass-fed animals or wild game.
- Fish, especially those rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel and albacore tuna.
- Oils from fruits and nuts, such as olive oil or walnut oil.
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? ›
Foods to eat on the paleo diet
Meat: Beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, pork, and others. Fish and seafood: salmon, trout, haddock, shrimp, shellfish, etc (choose wild-caught if you can)
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 carbs can I eat on paleo? ›
What carbs can you eat on paleo ?
- Cassava Root / 1 cup (206g) = 78g carbs.
- Plantains / 1 cup (148g) = 47g carbs.
- Taro Root / 1 cup (132g) = 46g carbs.
- Yam / 1 cup (136g) = 37g carbs.
- Acorn Squash / 1 cup (205g) = 31g carbs.
- Parnsips / 1 cup (178g) = 27g carbs.
- White Potato / 1 cup (122g) = 27g carbs.
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.
Can you eat popcorn on the Paleo diet? ›
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.
Is bacon OK for paleo? ›
Over the past few years, the bacon craze has surged in the Paleo community. While bacon is very tasty; unfortunately, bacon is not Paleo. Bacon is high in added salt, nitrates, and other unhealthy chemicals that are injected into the meat to help preserve it.
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.
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.
Which food group is avoided on a paleo diet? ›
Grains (including whole grains and those that are gluten-free), dairy, and legumes are banned from the paleo diet. That means no peanut butter or peanuts because followers of the paleo diet consider peanuts a legume rather than a nut.
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.
