Carrot fries to fresh vegetables
The Paleolithic — or Paleo — diet has exploded in popularity in the last decade. This method imitates the diet of Stone Age cave dwellers and includes eggs, fish, fruits, meat, nuts, and vegetables. People who follow the Paleo diet avoid consuming dairy products, grains, processed food, salt, soft drinks, and sugar. These restrictions may seem strict, but you can still enjoy plenty of delicious Paleo snacks. Here are 26 quick and healthy Paleo-friendly foods to satisfy your every craving.
1. Carrot fries
Carrot fries are a crispy, sweet alternative to traditional French fries. This snack is an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes healthy eyesight. You can make carrot fries by cutting carrots into thin spears and roasting them in canola oil.
2. Celery and almond butter
Spreading creamy almond butter on celery sticks is a fast and easy snack that requires no cooking. Almonds are packed with protein and provide many health benefits. For example, studies have shown that almonds decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
3. Cherry tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are an easy and portable snack. One cup of cherry tomatoes contains only 27 calories. Cherry tomatoes are also an excellent source of many essential minerals and vitamins, including potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin K.
4. Dill pickles
If you're craving a salty snack, crispy and tart dill pickles may fit the bill. One dill pickle spear only contains approximately six calories, so you can munch away without guilt. One spear also provides 45 mg of potassium.
5. Fresh vegetables with Paleo-friendly dip
Cut up raw bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, mushrooms, and other vegetables for a colorful Paleo snack. Combine your veggies with an easy, homemade, yogurt-free bean dip for a delicious refreshment.
Plantain chips to coconut flakes
6. Plantain chips
Baked plantain chips are a Paleo-friendly replacement for processed potato chips. You can make this snack at home or purchase a bag from your local grocery store. 28 plantain chips contain 160 calories and 210 mg of potassium.
7. Seaweed chips
Seaweed chips are another tasty potato chip substitute. Seaweed is an excellent source of many crucial minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
8. Sweet potato chips
You can also satisfy your chip craving by making homemade sweet potato chips. Slice the potatoes thinly, coat them in a tablespoon of cooking oil, and season them with your favorite flavors. Roast the potato slices for 20 minutes and enjoy your crispy snack.
9. Apple and nut butter
Dip apple slices in creamy nut butter for a refreshing snack. To stick with Paleo guidelines, avoid processed nut butter with added preservatives.
10. Coconut flakes
Unsweetened coconut flakes are a crispy and sweet food that provides fiber and iron. However, coconut flakes are high in fat, so monitor portions carefully.
Fresh berries to dark chocolate
11. Fresh berries
Add some sweetness to your day by noshing on half a cup of fresh blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries. Berries are a great source of fiber, manganese, and vitamin C.
12. Fruit smoothie
A fruit smoothie is a yummy and filling food you can make using whatever fruits you have on hand. Combine the fruits with unsweetened almond or coconut milk for a Paleo-approved drink.
13. Unsweetened dried fruit
Unsweetened dried fruit makes a great alternative to processed candies. Avoid dried fruit with added preservatives and limit your consumption to only a few pieces to ensure you aren't consuming too much sugar.
14. Whole fruits
Pack a whole apple, banana, or orange in your bag for a highly portable snack. Whole fruits provide numerous health benefits, including aiding weight control and decreasing the risk of depression.
15. Dark chocolate
You can indulge in a few squares of dark chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth. Chocolate contains heart-healthy flavanols that improve blood flow and cognition.
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Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowBacon-wrapped asparagus to prosciutto
16. Bacon-wrapped asparagus
Wrap slices of bacon around asparagus spears and roast them in the oven for a crispy snack. One bundle contains 10% of the daily recommended iron intake.
17. Canned tuna
Canned tuna is an affordable and popular food that provides essential nutrients like protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D.
18. Hard-boiled eggs
A hard-boiled egg is a simple but tasty food you can enjoy on the go. This affordable food is an excellent source of calcium, iron, protein, and vitamin A.
19. Paleo protein bars
Many health stores now sell Paleo protein bars containing almonds, sunflower seeds, and other protein sources. You can stash the bars in your desk drawer or purse for an extra energy boost.
20. Prosciutto
Prosciutto is a chewy ham that you can eat straight out of the package or wrap around asparagus and other vegetables and bake.
Meat jerky to paleo lemon bars
21. Meat jerky
You can buy commercially-produced jerky or make your own version at home. Jerky is packed with nutrients like protein and vitamin B.
22. Roasted almonds
Roasted almonds are an earthy, salty snack that provides a good source of fiber and vitamin E.
23. Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are a nutrient-rich food that provides many essential minerals. A 32-gram serving of pumpkin seeds provides almost 400 mg of phosphorus and 261 mg of potassium.
24. Paleo bread
The Paleo diet excludes most bread, but you can make delicious, gluten-free Paleo bread using almond flour, coconut flour, and other ingredients.
25. Paleo muffins
You can create gluten-free chocolate muffins using cocoa powder, unsweetened peanut butter, raw honey, and other Paleo-friendly ingredients.
26. Paleo lemon bars
Bake delicious lemon bars using coconut flour, cashew butter, coconut oil, and other Paleo-approved foods.
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British Journal of Nutrition: "Dried fruit consumption and cardiometabolic health: a randomized crossover trial."
Cleveland Clinic: “Dark Chocolate Health Benefits."
Colorado Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence: "Canned Tuna."
European Endocrinology: "Palaeolithic Diet in Diabesity and Endocrinopathies - A Vegan's Perspective."
FoodData Central: "Pickles, cucumber, dill or kosher dill," "Plantain Chips," "Tomatoes, red, ripe, raw, year round average."
Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health: "Almonds."
International Journal of Food Science & Technology: "A review of the impact of processing on nutrient bioaccessibility and digestion of almonds."
Mass in Motion: "Crispy Carrot Fries."
Mather Hospital Northwell Health: "Should You Go Nuts for Coconuts?"
Michigan Nutrition Network: "Eat Your Berries."
Molecules: "Nutrients Composition in Fit Snacks Made from Ostrich, Beef and Chicken Dried Meat."
Nutrients: "The Golden Egg: Nutritional Value, Bioactivities, and Emerging Benefits for Human Health," "Nutrient Composition Comparison between a Modified Paleolithic Diet for Multiple Sclerosis and the Recommended Healthy U.S.-Style Eating Pattern," "Whole Fruits and Fruit Fiber Emerging Health Effects."
Plants (Basel): "Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Potential, and Therapeutic Benefits of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.)."
Science of the Total Environment: "Is the Paleo diet safe for health and the environment?"
Texas A & M Agrilife Extension: "Bacon wrapped Asparagus."
UMass Chan Medical School: "Flourless Chocolate Protein Muffins," "Paleo Bread."
United States Department of Agriculture: "Baked Sweet Potato Chips."
University of Southern California: "Recipe: Paleo Lemon Bars (Gluten Free)."