Tips and Tricks for Snacking on the Paleo Diet

One common diet is the paleo diet, or “caveman diet,” which relies on basic, unprocessed foods for nutrients. Snacking on this diet isn’t always exciting, but there are some ways to improve your dieting experience with better snack breaks. Read on for tasteful tips and tricks for snacking on a paleo diet and making your diet more flavorful.

What Do You Eat on a Paleo Diet?

The idea behind a paleo diet is to eat only foods that would have been available to humans during the Paleolithic period. Foods such as fish, chicken, and red meat are common protein sources in a paleo diet and give the most sustenance in meals and snacks. Fruits, vegetables, and seeds are also common food sources in this diet.

Taboo foods in a paleo diet include processed foods and anything with added sugar. Candy, chips, and even bread aren’t allowed in a paleo diet since they aren’t foods people ate in the Paleolithic period. Simplicity is the essence of this diet, so it excludes anything that requires agriculture and processing to consume.

What Is the Purpose of a Paleo Diet?

People typically follow the paleo diet to lose weight while lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. The lack of trans fats and added sugars from most processed foods helps the body use energy from wholesome calorie sources.

The fewer fatty foods in the diet help people lose weight, and the increased amount of protein helps people gain muscle instead of fat. Furthermore, eating less fatty foods decreases the amount of unhealthy cholesterol in the body and mitigates the chance of heart attack and stroke from high cholesterol and blood pressure. People with diabetes also benefit from a paleo diet due to the controlled glucose levels from reduced sugar intake.

Tips and Tricks for Easier Dieting

Salty snack foods and sugary sweets are delicious to many of us and supply comfort. However, you won’t have the luxury of indulging in these processed foods on a paleo diet and must rely on simple foods like meats and produce.

But your snacking doesn’t need to feel limited, as there are plenty of tips and tricks to improve your snacking on the paleo diet. These tips will help you enjoy your food with creative planning and preparation to make a prehistoric dieting method into a modern-day lifestyle change.

Get Creative With Your Fruits

Fruits are sweet and juicy foods to enjoy on your paleo diet, and there are various options. Get creative with your fruit by arranging it to make it look more delicious and fun. For example, you could cut your strawberries into flowers by slicing them at angles around each berry.

You could also create a small fruit platter with a pattern of colors that makes a rainbow-styled assortment. Snack on your favorite fruits for a satisfying snack and explore new fruits to make the diet more interesting with new tastes.

Think Simply

As we previously mentioned, simple foods are key to the paleo diet, and thinking about simple foods will help you find other snack sources. Similar to fruits, there’s a vast array of different food options that fall under the paleo diet’s restrictions.

Meats, vegetables, and seeds offer numerous varieties to try, mix, and play around with until you have a full menu of foods. Think simply for foods that are not in a bag or plastic container. As you peruse the grocery store, avoid most of the aisles and stick close to the meat and produce section to find ideas for your next snack.

Explore Different Meats

Meats are the largest source of protein and satisfaction in the paleo diet, and dieters can enjoy the various types of meat worldwide. Explore different meats and add to the options you have for your snacks. For instance, you could try grilled bits of chevon during a short break at work or a smoked fish filet after a workout.

Jerky is also a great food to explore for your paleo diet, and there are numerous types and flavors, such as wild game jerky. You can find venison jerky for sale and plenty of other options to expand your paleo snacking. Explore the possibilities of meats to snack on to make your diet tastier and more satisfying.

Combine Meats and Vegetables

Some of the most satisfying meals come from meat and vegetables. Combining meats and vegetables will help you have a better paleo snack that provides great nutrition. Combining certain meats and vegetables, such as beef with green beans, will taste delicious with contrasting flavors and fill you up. Cook small pieces of meat and add vegetables for a nice midday snack to help you feel nourished for the rest of the day.

Keep Snacks With You at All Times

As you stay on the move throughout the day, keep snacks with you when you get hungry or need an energy boost. Paleo diets may seem dull and limiting in a world where there are processed foods in most stores. However, you can still carry as many snacks as you want, much like any diet.

Carry jerky and fruits on a long hike, or keep carrots at your desk to munch on as you fill out paperwork. Having food constantly available will improve your snacking on your paleo diet and make it more enjoyable.

Mix It Up With Spicy Snacks

Whenever you want to make a food or dish more exciting, adding spice is a great culinary choice to boost flavor. Spices are acceptable in a paleo diet, and your simple foods will feel more complex with additional flavors. Taking an all-purpose spice with you on your lunch break will make your snacks taste better and make your time eating more enjoyable.

Eat More Filling Snacks

The numerous calories in junk foods trick bodies into thinking they’re full. A paleo diet won’t have the same effect, given the meats and produce it relies on, so you’ll need more filling snacks to stave off hunger.

For example, whole eggs make for a filling breakfast snack, especially if you add a side of bananas and other berries to feel more satisfied and energized. Likewise, filling up on jerky is easy since the meat comes in strips to eat by the bag. Also, brussels sprouts and beets will give you a nice boost in magnesium and iron while filling you up until the next snack or meal.

The paleo diet relies on the purest forms of foods and cuts out most traditional snack options, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time snacking. Use these tips to make your snack time more meaningful while sticking to your diet and reaching your health goals.