Healthy and Simple Paleo Snacks to Fuel Your Body

The paleo diet, short for the “paleolithic diet,” is one that emphasizes on the ingestion of whole, unprocessed foods. It’s meant to mimic the eating habits of human ancestors thousands of years ago. While it’s possible that the paleo diet contributes to overall better health, it can limit your snacking choices. Here’s a guide to selecting quick, paleo friendly snacks that are healthy and delicious!

What is the Paleo Diet?

Although it’s impossible to determine what exactly humans ate thousands of years ago, many researchers believe that it consisted of specific whole foods. The paleo diet is designed to resemble what human ancestors ate while incorporating modern meals. The idea follows the theory that a whole-based food diet with a physically active lifestyle contributes to better health.

Granted, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to approach the paleo diet. Since paleolithic humans had to rely on the resources around them, there are variations people can take with their meal planning. Some people focus more on low-carb nutrition rich in animal foods while others take the opposite approach with a high-carb, plant-based diet. 

Benefits of the Paleo Diet 

Studies conducted on the paleo diet suggest that it could contribute to weight loss and overall improvement in health. Many people also find the paleo diet a bit easier to accomplish than others since it focuses more on ingesting whole foods. The paleo diet is also unique in its emphasis on physical activity alongside meal planning, providing a comprehensive experience. 

Although more research has to be conducted, it could have the potential to be a diet for type 2 diabetes treatment. Also, depending on what foods you select with the paleo diet, it may lead to better heart health. Some other potential benefits of the paleo diet include reduced blood pressure, improved gut health, and better cholesterol. 

How to Select Paleo-Friendly Snacks 

The great news about the paleo diet is that it’s relatively easy to find snacks to eat, even on store shelves! It’s also one that can be adapted and personalized to your specific needs and food interests. Generally speaking, the paleo diet consists of an everyday intake of meats, fresh produce, nuts, herbs, healthy fats, and oils. 

With that said, what should you try to avoid when selecting paleo-friendly snacks? One of the first to decline is dairy, sugar, or anything containing high-fructose corn syrup. This is because the paleo diet is designed to help you stay away from processed foods. You may also want to avoid some specific legumes, grains, and vegetable oils. When in doubt, always check the nutrition labels!

Delicious Paleo Snacks 

Whole Fruit

Any whole fruit will make perfect paleo-friendly snacks. This is because whole fruits are rich with protein and plant compounds that contribute to decreased inflammation risks for chronic disease. Some examples of nutritious fruits to add to your paleo diet include apples, bananas, oranges, avocados, and pears. Fruit can also help you maintain a healthy body weight while being paired with other nutritious snacks like nuts, seeds, and nut butter. Make sure to purchase fresh fruit from the produce section when shopping for snacks. 

Fresh Veggie Sticks With Dairy-Free Dip

You can never go wrong with fresh veggies! Along with their extremely nutritious properties, vegetables make for very flexible snacks that can be mixed and matched with other foods. Slice a variety of fresh veggies like cucumbers, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, and celery for convenient snacks to eat on the go! These particular vegetables are low in calories while being high in vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants that make for a very healthy snack. If you need a little bit of extra flavor, pair your veggies with dairy-free dips. 

Paleo Oatmeal

Although traditional oatmeal doesn’t fall under the paleo diet, it can be adjusted to meet your nutritional needs. Using grain-free oatmeal, mix together 1 cup (237 ml) of coconut milk with ¼ cup (28 grams) of almond flour. From there, sprinkle in ¼ cup of unsweetened coconut with 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed, 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon in a pot. Bring the oatmeal to a simmer until it reaches your preferred consistency. Finish it off with a paleo-friendly topping of your choice! 

Paleo Friendly Sweet Potato Chips

If you’re in the mood for a crunchy, chip-like snack, certain brands of sweet potato chips fall under the paleo-friendly category! Even so, always make sure to check nutritional labels prior to purchasing sweet potato chips. 

Are you currently looking for snacks that coincide with the paleo diet? Jackson’s is proud to deliver paleo-friendly sweet potato chips to fulfill your snacking needs! Browse through our online shop to order a packet of Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips today!