When we think of snacks, it is usually the fatty, sugary type that we take out of a wrapper. Then we wonder what we just ate and was it satisfying. We are going to explore a few Paleo snack ideas that are sure to make you feel satisfied.
Snacks are a strange food category because in the traditional sense a lot of today’s snacks are calorie laden and really aren’t that filling. If we are feeling guilty about eating the wrong kinds of snacks and turn to rabbit food, like carrot curls, celery sticks, and grapes, we are somehow disappointed. We still continue to think, “Healthy, and have to stay with the diet program,” but we wonder could there be anything else out there that is exotic, different and a reinvention of some other snack that we love and crave that would fit the parameters of healthy at the same time?
What snacks are we allowed to eat and still be Paleo? We all love new and different ideas for snacks and Paleo diet snacks are almost effortless to make yet they are tasty, out of the ordinary and healthy at the same time.
With Paleo foods being in the realm of some of the most basic of healthy snack choices, there are many ideas on how to prepare paleo diet snacks that are quick, follow diet guidelines and are fun to eat.
A Paleo diet is the caveman approach from prehistory that consisted of foods that people originally hunted and gathered. Today’s Paleo diet is similar but has other food items such as fish, grass-fed beef, free-range poultry, pork, eggs, fruits, vegetables, other produce, and nuts, along with unprocessed oils such as coconut, walnut, extra-virgin olive, macadamia nut, and avocado that are used in Paleo diets. As far as no-nos with a Paleo diet, grains, legumes (peanuts and other related family members) dairy products, sugars and processed foods are considered taboo and not part of the Paleo plan.
Think kale, sweet potatoes, seaweed, melon, pumpkin seeds, fruit and nut bars, as well as dehydrated fruits, Brussels sprouts, almond butter, smoothies (Paleo style), coconut, dark chocolate, cherries, fruit roll ups, avocados, and stuffed eggs and, yes, even pizza. Add a dash of chicken or beef for some lean protein.
Some fun and tasty Paleo snack ideas that are super easy to prepare and eat and are made from some of the ingredients that have been listed include:
– Avocados
Avocados (technically a fruit)are a tasty snack by themselves, but when bacon, chopped tomatoes and seasonings are added to the mix, avocados reach a whole new level. A few spoonfuls or slices are particularly tasty placed between bacon strips for a breadless mini sandwich snack. They are also delicious cut in small pieces, tossed with lemon juice, seasoned and stuffed into a large, organic tomato. A few sunflower seeds on the top are the piece de la resistance.
– Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes are a great staple for Paleo snacks, and they can be made into a variety of snacks. They can be sliced, diced, curled, shredded and drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt and baked for an instant transformation from a plain sweet potato to a delicious snack or side dish with a grass fed burger.
– Kale
Kale is one healthy, super nutritious Paleo vegetable snack and it is flavorful and full-bodied when it is cut or torn into bite-sized pieces and coated with either coconut or olive oil. Add a sprinkle of sea salt and bake the pieces until they are brown and have a nice crunch. Kale is a surprisingly yummy and different veggie that has been floating around the diet scene forever.
– Pizza
Paleo pizza can be made with or without a crust. One simple Paleo pizza idea consists of pepperoni or sausage slices (preservative free) topped with savory tomato sauce, olives and Italian seasonings. Paleo pizzas with grain-free crusts can be made with coconut flour, almond flour, tapioca starch, and even vegetable bases like cauliflower. They are tasty, require no yeast or rising and bake up in 12-15 minutes, and toppings like barbecue chicken and other sauces can be added for a traditional pizza taste.
– Dehydrated Fruit and Fruit Leathers
Dehydrated fruit such as apples, bananas, apricots, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, dates and other fruit can be transformed into slices or chips through dehydration. They are another good source of nutrition and natural sugar pick-me-ups that satisfy treat cravings.
Fruit leathers or roll-ups are just as easy to make and require simple ingredients and preparation. They are great on-the-go snacks that can be eaten quickly yet are satisfying and vitamin packed. All that is needed is a food processor for pureeing the chosen fruit such as bananas and fresh or frozen fruit like raspberries, blueberries or strawberries. Simply puree your chosen berry fruit until it forms a thick paste and add water when needed. Strain any seeds and then add the banana and finish mixing. Oil a dehydrator sheet with a natural oil like coconut and evenly spread the mixture with a spatula over the sheet area. Most dehydration for fruit leathers or roll ups takes at least 120 degrees of heat and 8 hours or overnight of setting up time. Once the fruit is ready, cut into strips or roll into shape.
– Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are excellent Paleo snacks in moderation, and there are specific kinds that are more Paleo-centered such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, macadamia nuts, Chestnuts and Brazil nuts. Nuts that are less starchy and fatty are tailored to a Paleo diet. Pumpkin seeds are one seed that are perfect for roasting with coconut or olive oil and seasoned with sea salt.
With all the numerous Paleo snack ideas out there, all it takes is a little ingenuity, the right ingredients, and a few utensils along with the desire to make nutritious and filling diet snacks. Paleo is one such pathway to tasty, nutritious and fun snacking with all the benefits that lead to a healthy and productive life. Feel free to share you Paleo snack ideas in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
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