This is the exciting part of the Paleo Diet - the Paleo Food List - the allowed foods are more than enough to make mealtimes exciting, nourishing and flavoursome. In general if you think back to the scrumptious meals that your grandmother produced the basics of those will be the basic of your new eating lifestyle!
Simply put the Paleo Food List contains all foods EXCEPT all grains and diary and all the relevant by-products.
MEATS: inclusive of organ meats i.e. kidney, liver, tongue, heart etc etc: beef, pork, lamb. rabbit, goat and game meats are allowed as long as the cut is lean with all fat trimmed off.
POULTRY: chicken, duckand game bird - skinless and fat free.
EGGS: chicken, duck, goose, seabirds and quail: The allowance for the week is 6 eggs. This should be more than adequate. Remember to include any egg mixed in a recipe eg like in a meatball or a coating.
SEAFOOD: all wild and commercial species available; whitefish, redfish, game fish etc; shellfish, lobster, crab, mussels etc etc
OILS: the most popular is olive oil however other oils such as avocado and nut oils are also acceptable and occasionally ghee can be used in place of oil.
POSSIBLE FRUITS
Apple
Apricot
Avocado
Banana
Berries - blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, gooseberries- the full spectrum allowed
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Figs
Grapefruit
Guava
Kiwi
Lemon and lime
Lychee
Melons - all
Mandarin
Nectarine
Orange
Papaya
Passion fruit
Pears
Peaches
Persimmon
Pineapple
Plums
Pomegranate
Rhubarb
Tangerine
Watermelon
POSSIBLE VEGETABLES
Artichokes
Asparagus
Broccoli
Beet greens
Beetroot - beet greens are the leaves of beetroot and considered to be high in nutrients
Brinjal/Eggplant
Bell peppers
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Collard
Cucumber
Endive
Fennel
Kahle
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsley
Parsnips
Peppers - all
Pumpkin
Radish
Squash - all kinds
Swiss chard
Spinach
Tomatoes - all
Turnips
Watercress
Needless to say organic or wild is the way to go! Some stores have a separate section for organic produce and others have it amongst their general commercial produce however should there be no indication do not hesitate to ask an assistant. It is to your advantage to source any local organic producers as very often directly purchased produce is often cheaper than in-store products. Watch out for farmers markets in town - very often the best place to buy from. Buy and eat seasonal available produce it is all part of a healthy lifestyle - the seasons and our nutritional needs are linked and after all who knows best - mother nature.
Dare we dream of the day when the stores will have Paleo food list department section??
Below is an indication of fruits and vegetables allowed. These are not strictly the only ones you can use it is just an indication. You may of course have different varieties and these would be totally acceptable - as long as it is fruit or vegetable and not grain then you are safe
Note; LEGUMES are NOT part of the Paleo list not even sprouted legumes - it contains a toxin which is produced to protect the plant from being eaten by grazing animals (and humans) and even cooking does not reduce the saponin content.
There is some controversy over the use of root vegetables however try using the tops to the carrots and beet in place of the bulb. If you find it impossible to live without your root vegetables use them in moderation and if weight loss is sluggish - leave them out altogether. The Paleo list contains more than enough to feed your imagination, entice your creativity and nourish your body and soul.
