18 Paleo Snacks Even a Caveman Would Love
If you're unfamiliar with the Paleo diet, it's a modern take on the diets our cavemen ancestors followed. The Paleo diet consists primarily of fish, grass-fed meats, eggs, produce, and nuts, while grains, milk products, refined sugars, and other processed foods are off-limits.
Although it's designed to improve a person's overall health, especially digestive issues, ditching high-calorie grains, dairy products, and processed foods can often result in weight loss, which is one reason the Paleo diet is gaining in popularity. It can also help improve athletic performance in some, so runners and other athletes are taking to this hunter-gatherer diet as well. Whatever your reason, if you're looking for some tasty and filling snack ideas, give these a whirl.
— Additional reporting by Lizzie Fuhr
Brussels Sprouts Chips
Looking for a seasonal, high-fiber, and low-calorie salty snack? It's time to whip up a batch of crispy brussels sprouts chips made from the roasted veggie's leaves.
Homemade Strawberry Fruit Leather
With a food processor, an oven, and a lazy afternoon, it's easy to whip up a batch of fresh-tasting fruit leathers, made with only pureed fruit.
Baked Sweet Potato Crisps
It doesn't get much better than these baked sweet potato chips. Take yours for a dip in spicy guacamole full of minced chili and crispy bacon.
Avocado With Sunflower Seeds
Dice a quarter of a creamy avocado and sprinkle with salted sunflower seeds for a crunchy kick.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Slice and roast sweet potatoes with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt for a sweet and satisfying snack.
Bacon and Brussels Sprouts Skewers
Elegant enough for a special event and simple enough for a weekday snack, these bacon and brussels sprouts skewers keep portion control in check — each is just over 150 calories and offers more than 10 grams of protein.
Tuna Salad
Skip the mayo (unless you make your own without processed oils), and mix your tuna with avocado and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Fill a half of a tomato for a filling snack. Here's an easy recipe to make at home.
Baked Kale Chips
Light, crispy, and nutty, with the perfect amount of salt to complement the subtle taste of kale, you'll have a hard time not reaching for another and another of these kale chips.
Banana Muffins
Higher in fiber and protein than a standard pastry, these moist and warming banana muffins are a low-calorie alternative to the classic that won't disappoint.
Dehydrated Apples
For a sweet-tasting treat that's completely preservative-free, make your own dehydrated apples (or other fruit).
Babaganoush
This lightened-up version of the traditional eggplant dip babaganoush eliminates olive oil from traditional recipes but not at the price of flavor or texture. This Middle Eastern recipe is a great alternative when you're craving hummus on a Paleo plan.
Seaweed Chips
Craving the crunch of potato chips but on a Paleo diet? Welcome these seaweed chips to your snack-time rotation. They're cholesterol-free and high in vitamin A, and seven of these spicy seaweed chips are only 42 calories.
Melon and Prosciutto
Honeydew wrapped in prosciutto; the sweet and savory combination can't be beat, and it's such a cinch to whip up.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
High in plant sterols and phytochemicals, pumpkin seeds aid in lowering cholesterol and are also a good source of protein, fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Roast yours with a little coconut or olive oil, and season with salt.
Fruit and Nut Bars
Save money by making your own fruit and nut bars with this simple recipe. These are made with almonds, dates, and raisins, but you can get creative and experiment with different nuts and dried fruits.
Almond Butter Apricot Bites
This Paleo treat is also vegan and is perfect for snacking on before a workout but is sweet enough to satisfy your dessert cravings.
Banana Choco-Malt
This Paleo-approved smoothie offers 40 percent of your recommended fiber for the day to keep digestion regular. It's the perfect sweet snack to curb dessert cravings.
Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters
While chocolate isn't an everyday staple on the Paleo diet, it is allowed (and appreciated). These dark chocolate nut clusters are made with crunchy almonds and chewy coconut and cherries.