Paleo Diet Food List
While the
Paleo diet is talked about as if it is one of the easier to follow because you don’t need to count calories or anything like that, it can be confusing at first. Learning what you can (and can’t) eat will take some time to get used to. With this in mind, we’ve put together this Paleo diet food list that will help you get started off on the right food. Many people find that after the first few weeks of this diet, it quickly becomes much easier to follow because choosing foods becomes just like second nature. The following list of Paleo diet friendly foods is broken down by category to help make shopping and planning much easier.
Meats for your Paleo Diet
One of the things the Paleo diet is best known for is that you can eat just about as much of any meat you would like. The following are some of the many types of meats that are available to enjoy when following the Paleo diet. Of course, it is best to avoid or at least minimize how much of the processed meats you add as part of this diet.
- Poultry
- Turkey
- Chicken Breast
- Chicken Thigh
- Chicken Wings
- Pork chops
- Pork Tenderloin
- Beef Steak
- Veal
- Bacon (look for bacon that is non or minimally processed)
- Ground beef
- Venison
- Salmon
- Clams
- Shrimp
- Bass
- Halibut
- Mackerel
- Sardines
- Tuna
- Sunfish
- Walleye
- Trout
- Tilapia
- Swordfish
- Crawfish
- Oysters
- Lobster
- Crab
- Scallops
- Bison
- Buffalo
- Rabbit
- Goat
- Elk
- Emu
- Goose
- Kangaroo
- Bear
- Jerky (maybe as a snack, most jerky is very processed)
- Wild Boar
- Turtle
- Ostrich
- Pheasant
- Quail
- Rattlesnake
While some of these are pretty exotic, it is easy to see that there are lots of options to choose from. Finding several that you enjoy should be nice and easy so that you can begin eating a delicious and healthy dish at every meal.
Vegetables on a Paleo Diet
Another staple of the Paleo diet is going to be vegetables. While some people seem to have an aversion to veggies, that should not be the case. There are many different types of vegetables and dozens of ways to cook each one so it is almost impossible that you won’t be able to find any you like. The following are some of the best vegetables.
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Zucchini
- Avocado
- Artichoke Hearts
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Green Peppers
- Yellow Peppers
- Orange Peppers
- Red Peppers
- Other Peppers
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Parsley
- Celery
- Eggplant
- Green Onions
- Yellow Onions
- Tomatoes
- Leeks
- Cucumber
- Cabbage
- Okra
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Beet tops
- Mustard Greens
- Radish
- Spaghetti Squash
- Acorn Squash
- Pumpkin
- Buttercup Squash
Whether you enjoy these vegetables raw, cooked or mixed in with other foods, you will find that they are a delicious and very healthy addition to any meal. One of the best things about vegetables is you can eat them in almost any quantity without running into issues gaining weight or other problems.
Seeds Nuts for the Paleo Diet
Many people say that they are nuts for the Paleo diet, and one reason might be because they can enjoy so many types of delicious nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds offer many great nutritional benefits that aren’t easily found from other sources. Be careful, however, as they are often roasted in vegetable oil and heavily seasoned, which may cause problems for your diet. When eaten raw or clean roasted, however, they are an excellent addition to your diet.
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Macadamia Nuts
- Pecans
- Hazelnuts
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Pine Nuts
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Flax Seeds
- Chia Seeds
- Pistachios
- Brazil Nuts
- Sesame Seeds
- Chestnuts
Fruits & Berries for Your Paleo Diet
Fruit is often referred to as ‘nature’s dessert’ and it is easy to see why. They are typically quite sweet and tasty. They can be high in carbs so depending on your goals with the Paleo diet it may be necessary to limit how much fruit you eat. Having fruit as a part of your daily diet, however, will provide you with many great nutrients and an excellent flavor that you’ll love.
- Apples
- Lemons
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
- Blackberries
- Papaya
- Lime
- Peaches
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Cantaloupe
- Tangerine
- Figs
- Oranges
- Bananas (Yes, we know bananas aren’t technically a fruit)
- Grapes
- Blueberries
- Lychee
- Mango
- Cranberry
- Grapefruit
- Nectarines
- Grapes
- Honeydew
- Kiwi
- Coconut
- Olives
- Passion Fruit
Consuming fresh fruit is the best way to make sure you’re getting all the great nutrients they have to offer. You can also try dried fruit, but you will lose some of the nutrients, and the sugar concentration is higher, so this is something you’ll certainly want to be aware of.
Oils & Fats for Your Paleo Diet
While ‘common knowledge’ says that fats and oils aren’t good for you, which is not always the case. Cooking with or using fats in a recipe can provide your body with healthy fuel that helps keep you going all day long. Not all fats and oils, however, are the same. The following are healthy options that you should use whenever you require oil or fat for a recipe.
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Grass-Fed Butter (NOT MARGARINE)
- Avocado Oil
- Macadamia Oil
- Lard
Whether you’re frying foods, using them as a dressing or any number of other things, oils and fats can be a great part of your overall diet. When it comes to the Paleo diet, the most important thing is to ensure you are choosing the right types.
Eggs in Your Paleo Diet Eggs are another great option for your Paleo diet. They are filled with protein and healthy fats as well as many other essential nutrients. There are also so many different ways to make your eggs that it is almost certain that you’ll like at least some of them.
- Chicken Eggs (By far the most common in most countries)
- Duck Eggs
- Goose Eggs
- Quail Eggs
- Caviar
Your Paleo Diet Food List
As you can see, there are many great foods that are Paleo friendly. When shopping, make sure you focus on choosing these items to help you stick with your diet. Many people find that they try and love foods that they have never had before, which is just one more benefit to the Paleo diet that you’ll enjoy.