Though the paleo diet (or caveman diet) is based on the ancestral way of eating (AKA the way our distant ancestors used to eat), it has gained traction among health-conscious people everywhere in the last decade. And for a good reason! Proponents of the paleo diet have seen improvements in autoimmune conditions, decreased inflammation, improved gut health, clearer skin, and so much more.
If you’ve been curious about the paleo way of eating or even if you’ve been eating this way for a while, today, we’re focusing on paleo meal prep. A bonus? Here at Snap Kitchen, we’ve got plenty of paleo meals! Want to skip the prep and get your paleo meal prep delivered instead? We’ve got you covered with genuinely delicious, comfort food favorites made paleo (like our chicken chile enchiladas or our bison shepherd’s pie).
If you’re curious about what fits on a paleo plate, keep reading!
What is paleo?
The paleo diet focuses on avoiding commonly inflammatory foods like grains, dairy, and legumes. In their place are high-quality protein, healthy fats, veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds to create balanced, nutrient-dense, and delicious meals. Since many of the foods on a paleo plate are naturally lower in carbs and higher in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, this way of eating can be beneficial for decreasing inflammation and balancing blood sugar. And while you might be wondering what you’ll eat without standard American diet staples like grains and dairy to rely on, we think you’ll be surprised at the options!
What can I eat?
It’s not as limiting as you might think! With a template of high-quality proteins, beautiful veggies, and fruits, along with healthy fats (think ghee, coconut oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds), the options are sorta endless! Because we can’t help ourselves, here at Snap, we take it to another level and paleo-ify your favorites, like chicken tenders with turnip mash and banana pancakes. Let us do your paleo meal prep for you, plus the cooking and the cleaning, while you enjoy a delicious meal, no time sacrifice required.
Quick run-down of the foods you can’t eat on the paleo diet:
- Gluten – you won’t find this in any of our meals, ever
- Grains – white or wheat pasta, corn, cereal, granola bars, crackers, and others
- Legumes – beans, lentils, peanuts, etc. The one exception here (at least in our meals) is peas!
- Dairy – yogurt, cheese, milk, and more
- Soy – tofu, soy sauce, edamame, miso, and other forms
- Refined sugar – we only use maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar for our paleo items
- Hyper-processed foods – including refined vegetable oils (we’re looking at you canola, corn, and soy oil), sodas, and so much more!
What can you drink on the paleo diet?
Water fits the paleo guidelines and should always be your go-to drink. Hydration is key to overall health and important while following the paleo diet. But if you’re trying to focus on your fluid intake, it can be super helpful to mix it up. Here are some paleo-friendly drink options:
- Water
- Seltzer or sparkling water – just look for no added sugar
- Herbal and Green tea
- Coconut Water
- Smoothies – without dairy and with limited amounts of fruit – try adding some of our Vital Proteins collagen for a gut-healing protein boost
- Bone broth
- Kombucha
What drinks are not typically allowed?
- Alcohol – some is allowed as long as it’s grain or gluten-free like red wine and tequila
- Milk products – milk, cream, or kefir aren’t permitted
- Sugary soda – isn’t permitted for multiple reasons, including its effect on blood sugar and its ingredients (think high fructose corn syrup and flavors/colors)
- Fruit juice with added sugar – finding fruit juices that don’t have added sugar in them can be tricky since many well-known brands add sugar. Best to limit fruit juice since it’s high sugar anyway and causes blood sugar spikes and crashes.
What should I notice after starting to eat a paleo diet?
For many people, the paleo lifestyle is a bit of a diet overhaul, but the benefits can be immense. They may include improved digestion (see ya bloating and digestive woes!), skin health, blood sugar regulation, more consistent energy, and better sleep. Keep in mind that you can always try adding back in some of the foods you’ve cut out to see how they impact you. If you notice any of those symptoms come back, it’s probably best to kick those offending foods to the curb.
Our paleo menu takes all the guesswork out of planning and prepping while giving you the options and flavors you crave – never compromising on quality, nutrition, or taste (you CAN have it all!).
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