Ultimate List Of Paleo-Approved Foods: What To Eat And What To Avoid
If you’re new to Paleo or just need a refresher, this list of Paleo-approved foods can help you out. When you think of eating whole, nutritious foods, you may feel like your options are next-to-none. Hopefully, this list can open your eyes to all of the possibilities of delicious Paleo food options!
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What Is The Paleo Diet?
The Paleo diet is an approach that involves consuming food that our ancestors could have hunted, grown or gathered. The Paleo diet focuses on consuming lean meats, fish, fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds and healthy oils.
Foods You Can Eat On Paleo
If you or your ancestors could hunt or gather it, you are allowed to eat it on the Paleo diet. This includes:
- Meat
- Fish and seafood
- Fresh fruits and veggies
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthy oils
Foods To Avoid On Paleo
If you or your ancestors are not able to hunt or gather it, you should avoid it on the Paleo diet. This includes:
- Grains
- Legumes
- Dairy
- Trans fats (hydrogenated oils)
- Highly processed foods
- Refined sugar
- Artificial sweeteners
Ultimate List Of Paleo Approved Foods
Here’s a list of a ton of Paleo-approved foods. Please note, this list isn’t extensive.
Meat
- Beef
- Lamb
- Chicken
- Pork
- Venison
- Turkey
- Goose
- Duck
Don’t forget bacon! Turkey bacon, pork bacon, venison bacon… Yum! When purchasing bacon, be mindful of the added ingredients.
Fish
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Cod
- Trout
- Shrimp
- Shellfish
- Sardines
- Anchovies
- Tilapia
- Catfish
- Clams
- Lobster
- Oysters
Vegetables
- Artichoke
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Beet
- Bell Pepper
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- Kale
- Hearts of Palm
- Horseradish
- Jícama
- Kale
- Leeks
- Lemongrass
- Lettuce
- Romaine
- Mushrooms
- Okra
- Olive
- Onion
- Green Onions/Scallions
- Parsley
- Parsley Root
- Parsnip
- Peas
- green peas
- snow peas
- sugar snap peas
- Peppers
- Plantain
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Spinach
- Squash
- Sweet Potato
- Swiss Chard
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Turnip
- Yams
- Zucchini
Fruit
- Apple
- Apricot
- Avocado
- Banana
- Berries
- Cherry
- Coconut
- Date
- Dragon Fruit
- Fig
- Grapes
- Grapefruit
- Guava
- Kiwifruit
- Lemon
- Lime
- Mango
- Melons
- Nectarine
- Oranges
- Papaya
- Passion Fruit
- Peach
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Plum
- Prunes
- Pomegranate
- Rhubarb
- Tangerine
- Tomato
Eggs
- Chicken eggs
- Duck eggs
- Goose eggs
- Quail eggs
Nuts and Seeds
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Cashews
- Macadamia nuts
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Hazelnuts
- Pine nuts
- Brazil nuts
- Pumpkin seeds
- Chia seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Flax seeds
Healthy Fats and Oils
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Avocado oil
- Walnut oil
- Flaxseed oil
- Macadamia oil
- Butter
- Lard
- Nut butters
- Ghee
Spices
- Sea salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Tumeric
- Paleo Pink Seasoning
- Rosemary
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Cayenne pepper
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Basil
In general, most spices are Paleo. When purchasing spices, just make sure there are no other added ingredients. The only ingredient should be the spice itself!
Drinks
- Water
- Bone broth
- Herbal teas
- Black coffee
- Kombucha
- Coconut water
Frequently Asked Questions
What can’t you eat on the Paleo diet?
When following the Paleo diet, avoid these foods:
- Grains
- Legumes
- Dairy
- Trans fats (hydrogenated oils)
- Highly processed foods
- Refined sugar
- Artificial sweeteners
What do I eat for breakfast on Paleo?
Breakfast does not have to consist of traditional “breakfast foods.” You can eat eggs and bacon, veggies and steak, sweet potatoes and eggs… The cominations are endless! For more options, check out our guide on Paleo breakfast ideas.
Can you eat potatoes on Paleo?
Yes, potatoes are considered Paleo. They grow from our earth and were a food consumed by our ancestors.
Can you eat rice on Paleo?
Rice is considered a grain, so strict Paleo-followers would say rice should not be consumed on the Paleo diet.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, you can now see that there are many amazing foods you can eat on the Paleo diet. Consuming whole, nutrient-dense food doesn’t have to be boring!
Related: Whole Food Snack Ideas
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