An introduction and break down of Paleo diet allowed foods
Just like any diet, the Paleo
eating plan has rules and guidelines when it comes to what you can and cannot
eat. This is not a complete list of Paleo foods but you must be aware that
there are plenty of foods not allowed on Paleo menus.
But what is the Paleo Diet you
may ask? The core foundation of this eating style is all about going back to
the very roots of our ancestry and following the eating and nutritional habits
of what was available to the caveman, then applying those principles to our
modern day food choices.
When you really sit back and
look at it, especially when thinking about foods that are paleo, our advances in
technology, farming, processing and agriculture while definitely beneficial in
many areas has taken us (and our digestive system) away from pure eating and
nutrition. The caveman and our early ancestors were hunters and gatherers and
always ate the freshest of fruits and vegetables supplemented ideally by a
variety of lean meats.
If you follow the recommended Paleo diet
allowed foods, learn and know by heart what types of food is acceptable on a
Paleo diet food list, and stay away from the discouraged foods you can give
yourself a great chance of attaining optimal health and nutrition. Paleo Diet
Allowed Foods
So then, taking the lead that Paleo diet allowed foods are based on the nutrition available to the caveman, a very big no-no are processed or packaged foods. Also on the Paleo diet eating plan “stay away from” list are those fatty type meats which can taste great but unfortunately do our bodies and health no good at all.
- Foods like pork sausage, bacon, pepperoni, chicken wings, processed deli meats, spam, breakfast sausage, fatty pork and lamb chops as well as the skin of turkey and chicken should all be avoided.
- Obesity and heart disease is at record levels worldwide and fatty meats can claim a great deal of responsibility for this especially when over eaten.
gluten free Paleo Diet
Cavemen also did not consume
any grains or wheat because they lived in the age before agriculture. Unless it
was already growing naturally, it was not eaten. Gluten is fast becoming a
major contributor to digestive and nutritional problems and ailments therefore
all types of food containing gluten are NOT on the Paleo diet allowed foods
list. Watch out for the false security offered up by those alleged “gluten
free” grains as they are still not endorsed for the Paleo diet eating plan. Not
only are other grains on the do not eat list but all other byproducts of their
processing.
What this means is that grains
like barley, corn, millet, oats, rice, rye, wheat, and wild rice as well as all
products made from them such as amaranth, bread, buckwheat, cakes, cookies,
corn chips, corn on the cob, corn starch, corn syrup, donuts, flat bread,
muffins, pasta, pancakes, pita bread, pizza, quinoa, rice cakes, rice flour,
rice noodles, rice pudding, rolled oats, rolls, rye crackers, and tortillas are
all NOT on the approved Paleo diet approved foods list. For many people, the
limitation of these types of foods is very hard but what is important to
remember is the benefits this “sacrifice” will deliver to your body and
therefore your life!
Paleo Diet Allowed Foods
Not Paleo Diet Allowed Foods!
We have spoken much about the
limitations and Paleo restricted foods that are not on the approved list. The
good news however is that the Paleo diet eating plan DOES have many foods that
can be eaten and enjoyed. As is everything worthwhile in life, persistence and
understanding is paramount to success and those that have truly stuck to the
Paleo diet and embraced it have found a much greater and enjoyable variety of
meals and foods available to them than what they might have first imagined.
Just some of the Paleo diet allowed foods…
We know that the Cavemen did not eat dairy however eggs are certainly on the menu.
A great favorite of many
on the Paleo diet eating plan is a delicious two egg omelet containing plenty
of fresh produce such as peppers, onions, tomato and mushrooms.
When feeling puckish, snacks
of fresh fruit and vegetables are a great option for absolutely everybody and
that includes those following the Paleo. We have an amazing, endless variety of
fresh fruit allowed on paleo diet and vegetables like raw carrots, capsicums,
cucumber and celery are all refreshing to eat, yummy to taste and provide many
health benefits.
One thing to remember however
is to resist the urge to add sauces or condiments to your fresh fruit and
vegetables. The wrong addition or amount or choosing food that is not within
the Paleo diet allowed foods can take away all the benefits quick as a flash!
Lean meats are a great part of
the Paleo diet allowed foods and there are many that you can eat! The word lean
though is the key! You want to be looking for meats from animals that have been
grass fed, free range or pasture raised. Where that option is not available,
select the leanest cuts of meat you can find. Seafood is also a wonderful
choice and option when on the Paleo diet and the available variety is magnificent!
