Whole, unprocessed foods — including fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats — are staples in the paleo diet, while all grains, most dairy, sugar, beans, and peanut butter are off-limits. The paleo diet philosophy involves returning to the way our cavemen and cavewomen ancestors ate more than 12, years ago, before agriculture practices were developed — namely, a time when food needs were met solely through hunting and gathering. Phytic acid is a natural compound found in the seeds of plants, including nuts, grains, and beans. Other food exclusions mandated in the paleo diet do have a clear and proven health benefit for all individuals. Grains including whole grains and those that are gluten-free, dairy, and legumes are banned from thepaleo diet. That means no peanut butter or peanuts, because followers of thepaleo diet consider peanuts a legume rather than a nut. Regardless, remember: Too much alcohol on a consistent basis has been associated with a higher risk of liver disease, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and brain health issues. Before you try the paleo diet, be sure to discuss any underlying health issues with your doctor. For example, people at risk for heart disease, those who have kidney damage, and those who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes should avoid the paleo diet. Many common foods in the Western diet are not allowed in the paleo diet. Fruit can be a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth on the paleo diet.
Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, but instead aims to cover the most popular food items available in grocery stores today. Yes Please Meat Beef, pork, lamb, veal, rabbit, goat, sheep, bison, wild boar. Avocados, avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, butter, clarified butter ghee, lard, tallow, duck fat, veal fat, lamb fat, fatty fishes sardines, mackerel, salmon, nut butters, nut oils walnut, macadamia, coconut flesh, coconut milk. Lettuce, spinach, collard greens, kale, beet top, mustard greens, dandelion, swiss chard, watercress, turnip greens, seaweeds, endive, arugula rocket, bok choy, rapini, chicory, radicchio. Carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips, rutabaga, sweet potatoes, radish, jerusalem artichokes, yams, cassava. Bananas, apples, oranges, berries strawberry, cranberry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, plantains, grapefruit, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, pomegranates, pineapple, papaya, grapes, cantaloupe, cherries, apricot, watermelon, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemon, lime, lychee, mango, tangerine, coconut, figs, dates, olives, passion fruit, persimmon. Parsley, thyme, lavender, mint, basil, rosemary, chives, tarragon, oregano, sage, dill, bay leaves, coriander.
The paleo diet is built on a relatively simple foundation: we should eat like our ancient Paleolithic ancestors. This translates to a diet that is rich in such things as meat, poultry, fish, veggies, and fruit, while devoid of such things as dairy, sugar, and grains. When you first learn about the paleo diet, it seems like a diet that would be difficult to mess up, but there are actually a few things that you may be getting wrong. What many new converts to the paleo lifestyle fail to realize is that some of the foods they consider paleo-friendly are really quite the opposite. In fact, these food items could be negating some of the benefits that you would be getting by following this caveman diet in the first place. Prior to the advent of the Agricultural Revolution, mankind lived off a diet that was contained zero sugar and very little grains. The foods they ate came only from what could be hunted and gathered.
If you feel unsure about grains or dairy, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to determine what’s best for your body. Pitt CE. Macadamia oil Avocado oil Grass-fed butter Ghee. That’s not always the case, but look for wild salmon and other sustainably-caught seafood when you’re eating paleo.