You’ve heard all about the Paleo diet and are interested in trying it. Before you jump into the Paleo lifestyle you need to be aware of these Paleo diet essentials! First let’s review what eating Paleo means you eat and avoid.
What to eat:
- Meat,
- Fish,
- Vegetables,
- Fruits,
- Nuts,
- Eggs,
- Oils & Fats
What you avoid:
- Dairy,
- Legumes,
- Grains,
- Sugar,
- Starchy Vegetables,
- Processed Food
The following list highlights certain food items that are commonly used in Paleo recipes and a few ways they can be used when following the Paleo diet.
Meat:
-
Beef
If you’re going to be eating Paleo you’ll have to learn to love your beef. Meat is a huge part of your diet when eating paleo. Use shredded beef to create a burrito bowl. Roast some beef short ribs. Hamburgers are the perfect way to eat Paleo while grilling out during the summer months. Dehydrate beef to create beef jerky to kick your afternoon snack craving.
-
Bacon
Bacon goes with everything. Well that’s how passionate some people are about bacon. Have bacon as a side for breakfast. Use it to top your salad. There are even bacon brownie recipes. Eating Paleo is perfect for bacon lovers.
Veggies:
-
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a common Paleo staple. They are the healthier alternative to regular white potatoes. They also have a sweet and savory taste and can be used in a variety of recipes. Sweet potatoes appear as baked potatoes. Sweet potato fries. Sweet potato hash. Sweet potato pancakes. Sweet potato cookies.
-
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a vegetable that contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients as well as detoxifies the body. A popular way to include cauliflower into your diet is as a replacement for grains. Cauliflower is commonly ground up to make cauliflower rice. It’s also adapted to be a pizza crust. There are more traditional ways to eat cauliflower such as roasted or baked.
Fruit:
-
Bananas
Bananas are one of the most versatile fruits whether you are eating paleo or simply trying to eat healthy. Bananas are used for paleo banana bread recipes. Fry up some bananas in a skillet for a sweet side for your banana pancakes. Use bananas in a healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe. Create paleo ice cream using bananas.
-
Dates
Dates are a common fruit used in many dessert recipes. Looking to create healthy granola bars without using grain? Use dates instead. Dates are great to sweeten up recipes from energy bites to brownies.
Nuts:
-
Almonds
The Paleo diet avoids eating peanuts because they are a legume. To replace your need for peanuts, almonds come in to save the day. Replace peanut butter with almond butter. While you’re cutting out dairy buy almond milk instead of cow milk. Need a replacement for white baking flour? Use almond meal instead in your baking recipes.
Eggs:
Eggs make a common appearance in the Paleo diet. Eggs are packed full of protein and are a great way to start your day with a filling breakfast. For breakfast cook some eggs in whatever way you like with a side of bacon. Use eggs to create Paleo breakfast muffins. Eggs will be useful in many cooking and baking recipes too.
Oils & Fats:
-
Avocado
Avocados contain healthy fats and are great alternatives to other not-so-healthy foods. Do you love mayo on your sandwich? Use avocado instead. Whip up a batch of guacamole to take to that get together. Avocado can also be used in baking recipes such as brownies or add some avocado into your favorite smoothie.
- Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a healthier oil to use when cooking and baking. Spread coconut oil in your skillet rather than butter. Coat your vegetables to roast in coconut oil. It also replaces oil in baking recipes like breads or cookies. Add a spoonful of coconut oil into your morning coffee or your green smoothie.
If you are interested in eating paleo or trying to make healthy swaps in your diet, these are foods you will want to keep readily available. Following the Paleo diet is no longer a mystery and can be easily done with some careful meal planning and determination. Load up on these Paleo essentials to have a successful start with eating Paleo.
Skylar Starbuck is a 22 year old college student who has a passion for leading an overall healthy lifestyle. Before going off to college Skylar had always been involved in year round athletics in school, so her personal fitness journey began her freshman year of college. She then realized that it was now up to her to take care of her physical... Read More
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