Top 7 Foods to Eat on the Paleo Diet
The paleo diet depends on whole foods. It’s designed to resemble the same lifestyle that of our human ancestors during the Paleolithic era.
The paleo is a great way to get rid of most risk factors leading to our current lifestyle diseases such as obesity and heart problems.
Here are the top 7 foods to eat on the paleo diet.
7. Meat & Seafood
Meat and seafood are essential on the paleo diet. Meat is the best source of proteins, which will keep you full for a longer time and they are the building blocks for muscle. Seafood will provide you with omega-3 fatty acids. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
6. Fruits & Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibers, and antioxidants. You can eat whatever you want. However, you should avoid starchy vegetables such as potatoes and high-sugar fruits such as bananas. (7, 8, 9, 10)
Paleo vegetables and fruits include cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, apples, berries, and peaches.
5. Eggs
The paleo allows eggs because they are very rich in many nutrients including high-quality protein, good fats, minerals, B vitamins, selenium, and other trace elements such as zinc and calcium. Buy organic eggs only. (11, 12, 13)
4. Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are highly recommended in the paleo diet since they contain healthy fats, high-quality proteins, and fibers. Just avoid peanuts because they are legumes. (14, 15, 16)
Paleo nuts and seeds include almonds, cashews, walnuts, shea seeds, and sunflower seeds.
3. Healthy Oils
Certain oils are allowed on the paleo diet; the oils derived from plants in the first place such as olive oil, coconut oil, and walnut oil. Flaxseed oil is allowed because it is rich in alpha-linolenic acid, which is an anti-inflammatory. (17, 18, 19, 20)
2. Herbs & Spices
Try to spice your foods up with paleo-friendly herbs and spices to make their tastes better. Herbs and spices already have many health benefits too such as anti-inflammatory properties. (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
Paleo-friendly spices include garlic, ginger, leek, chilies, and fresh chives.
1. Sweeteners
Most people on the paleo diet avoid all kinds of sweeteners. However, some sweeteners are actually allowed on the paleo diet. Of course, you should keep your intake moderate if you want to lose weight. (26, 27, 28)
Some of the sweeteners allowed on the paleo include date sugar, coconut oil, and raw honey.