I know there are some of you who are interested in trying Paleo but don't know where to start. You're in the right place! I want to make this Paleo Shopping List as simple as possible for you, because the sooner you start, the sooner you'll be on your road to health.
Sometimes when there is too much information to look at...and look for, we freeze and don't end up doing anything. It can be overwhelming. I don't want that to happen to you, so I'm going to give you a starter Paleo Shopping List... and keep it simple, simple, simple. This list will help get you started with your Paleo lifestyle and you can learn to add to it as you get more familiar and comfortable with the Paleo "rules"... Read on, and then download and print your free Paleo Shopping List!
FRESH, SEASONAL PRODUCE: While fruit is welcome in the Paleo world, eat it sparingly. It's all about veggies. Stop snacking on fruit as it is high in sugar. Bananas, tangerines and grapes are the very high in sugar if you're trying to lose weight. Berries and apples are your best bet. Feel free to add to this list with your favorite healthy veggies...and try new ones! (Zucchini "noodles" and spaghetti squash are a great replacement for pasta!)
- Spinach and kale - dark leafy greens are best
- Sweet potatoes (yams)
- Cauliflower and broccoli
- Tomatoes
- Squash
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Brussel sprouts
- Bell Peppers
- Avocados
- Mushrooms
- Onions and garlic
- Lemons
Always avoid:
- White potatoes
- Corn
ANIMAL PROTEINS: Grass-fed and fully pastured animals are the keywords you want to look for when shopping for meat and eggs.
- Fully pastured chicken and eggs
- Grass-fed beef or game meat
- Fully pastured pork
- Wild caught seafood
Always avoid:
- Commercially raised meat - whenever possible!
- Anything that's been treated with hormones, nitrates, or antibiotics
HEALTHY (COOKING) FATS: While grass-fed, organic animal sources will offer healthy fats, these are the staples I always have on hand when it comes to cooking.
- Coconut Oil
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Extra-Light tasting Olive Oil (for mayonnaise)
- Ghee (butter with the milk solids removed)
Always avoid:
- Margarine
- Hydrogenated oils
- Canola oil
- Soybean oil
FLAVOR and Misc: Eating clean on a Paleo doesn't mean you'll be eating bland food. All of these pantry staples are welcome and will bring tons of flavor to your new recipes.
- Chicken, beef and/or vegetable broth
- Canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce (organic; read ingredients...just tomatoes!)
- Dijon style mustard (good quality ingredients; gluten-free)
- Coconut aminos (replacement for soy sauce)
- Coconut Milk (unsweetened; canned. I use this in coffee)
- Almond Milk (UNSWEETENED, refrigerated is acceptable, but coconut milk is best)
- Dried herbs and spices (my spice rack is full since going Paleo!)
- Almond and coconut flours ("blanched" almond flour for baking and "almond meal" for breading technique)
- Raw honey and Grade B maple syrup (for occasional use)
Always avoid:
- Anything with dairy
- Anything with added sugar or chemicals
- Refined sugars
- Legumes/beans
- Bread, grains and rice
- Pasta
FERMENTED FOODS: The Paleo plan welcomes fermented foods that work to support your digestive system with naturally occurring probiotics that boost immunity.
- Kombucha
- Sauerkraut (raw or make your own)
SNACKS: The Paleo diet is all about whole, clean foods prepared at home, but having some convenient snacks on hand is necessary when you're on the go or away from home. Use sparingly.
- Larabars or RxBars (RxBars are the only bars that are officially Whole30 approved. They are available online, click the link above for more details...they are delicious. Get any flavor except Peanut Butter. An RxBar is what I always keep handy in a pinch.)
- Krave Jerkey
- Dried fruit (unsweetened)
- Raw almonds and cashews (legumes like peanuts are strictly prohibited, but raw nuts and seeds are welcome in moderation)
- Raw almond butter
Always avoid:
- Processed convenience snacks
- Anything with an ingredient you can't pronounce!
I hope this Paleo Shopping List gets you well on your way to stocking your kitchen with healthy essentials! :) Download and print your free HWS Paleo Shopping List now!
If this it completely new to you, I recommend committing to eating Paleo-friendly foods for at least two weeks and see how your body feels. Feeling good and want to continue? Try 30 days. It can be beneficial to start a journal and write down how you're feeling along the way. Start browsing recipes you'd like to try and cook your meals. You'll have the best results this way. Check out my category "Food and Recipes"...or type in something specific in the search bar and take a look around! All of my recipes on HWS are Paleo-friendly! Enjoy and I wish you the best on your Paleo journey!
Want to know how I found Paleo?... Check out MyPaleo WifeStyle