The paleo diet regime is meant to mimic our Paleolithic ancestors’ diets. Before additives, chemicals, and preservatives, human beings consumed natural food items. Think meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds—the kind of food that could be hunted or gathered back in the day.
It’s going back to the basics, eliminating refined and processed foods and opting for natural ingredients and whole foods. While that might seem restricting at first glance, dieters say it’s pretty simple to follow and sustain.
It’s not that foods are forbidden, instead, the philosophy is to eliminate them simply because they’re not good for you. With that mindset, it will be easy to stick to the paleo diet. With this principle in mind, we’re listing down the best snacks to consume on paleo, each focusing on swapping out unhealthy foods for natural alternatives.
Dieticians and nutritionists consider paleo a healthier alternative to modern-day diets. Loren Cordain, PhD, author of The Paleo Diet and professor of food and exercise science at Colorado State University, links the diet regime to a lower risk of heart disease, blood pressure, and inflammation, as well as other benefits such as weight loss and optimum health and athletic performance.
That’s because paleo foods, including snacks, are abundant in the good stuff and eliminate chemicals and synthetic additives. Focusing on whole, unprocessed foods like nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruits, paleo snacks are nutrient-dense, providing the body with protein, healthy fats, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals.
Consuming paleo snacks aligns with the philosophy of clean eating. Harmful chemicals in modern-day foods are excluded and replaced with natural, whole ingredients that have a positive health impact.
According to the CEO of The Paleo Diet, Trevor Connor, the main food groups that make up the paleo diet are meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds—primarily the food items our ancestors from the Stone Age grazed on.
The best paleo snacks mainly use these fundamental food groups, with essential ingredients including:
Paleo-friendly snacks are natural, unprocessed, and, most importantly, nutrient-dense. That means common modern snack foods, like chips, granola, and crackers, are off the table. Instead of the usual snacks filled with refined sugars and additives, paleo dieters embrace whole foods—vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and meat.
It’s all about opting for healthier alternatives. And while that might sound limiting, there are plenty of satisfying snack options suitable for those observing the paleo diet. The key is knowing which ingredients align with the diet regime and being mindful of choosing which options are good for you and which aren’t.
But the health benefits of paleo snacks are not their only and main draw. Most paleo snacks are packed with flavor, too, with options ranging from crunchy to chewy and sweet to savory. You can even customize them to suit your taste and preferences.
There might be a lot of things excluded from the paleo diet, but the options you have still ensure you never feel deprived. Whether you’re looking for something to fuel you throughout the day or a pre-workout snack, you’ll find a snack on this list that is easy to make and eat and will provide all the essential nutrients your body needs.
Most paleo dieters will eat plain veggies as a quick snack to keep them full before their next meal. You can do that too! But if you want to elevate the flavor and texture of your snack, crunchy veggie chips are the way to go.
You can make these by thinly slicing vegetables and baking them until crisp. Sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, and zucchini are popular options. You don’t even have to add any oils or additives—crunchy veggie chips deliver flavor and crunch while staying true to the clean paleo diet approach.
Paleo energy balls are bite-sized snacks that can keep you satisfied and give you a boost of energy throughout the day. Made with paleo-approved ingredients, they provide a balanced mix of macronutrients and are incredibly versatile.
Common ingredients in paleo energy balls include nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and nut butter. But feel free to customize yours and add your favorite superfoods and spices. Mix them all together and roll them up into small, snackable bites!
Looking for something more savory? You can’t go wrong with meat-based snacks. Jerky and sausages are quintessential paleo snack options. They’re rich in protein and healthy fats and contain important vitamins and minerals to support energy levels and immune health.
Seasoned paleo dieters love beef, bison, or turkey jerky options. For sausages, they usually go with chicken, pork or pork rind, or beef and add paleo-approved herbs and spices.
Combined, fruits and nuts create a snack combo that is a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and healthy fats. The fruit will give you that quick energy boost, while the nuts will provide sustaining, slow-release energy to keep you powered throughout the day.
Fruit and nut combos are perfect for a mid-day snack to help keep your energy levels steady. They also have benefits for cardiometabolic health.
There are many ways you can make this snack food—whip up a trail mix or portion of individual servings. Choose paleo-approved fruits, including raisins, dates, and cranberries, and nuts like almonds, cashews, walnuts, and macadamia.
Seasoned paleo dieters will tell you that paleo snacks are much easier to prepare compared to snacks for other diet regimes. Because they’re made with basic ingredients, batch prepping and meal planning are quick and convenient. You just need a day to whip up a batch of snacks ready for you to grab and go throughout the week.
Start by planning 2-3 snack options for the entire week and gathering your ingredients. Set aside time to make a whole batch. Then portion them out in small containers or ziplock bags and store them in the fridge or kitchen counter. That’s pretty much it! Throughout the week, you can simply grab one of your pre-portioned snacks ready for you to consume when you need it.
Before you hit the gym for an intense workout, you need to load up on easily digestible paleo snacks to provide your body with energy to fuel your exercise and ensure peak performance. If you work out throughout the week, include these paleo snack options in your meal prep:
After your workout, have another paleo snack to replenish your glycogen stores and provide your muscles with protein to aid in recovery. Some post-workout snacks athletic paleo dieters swear by include:
Since paleo has surged in popularity, you now have the option to find paleo-approved snacks on grocery shelves or online stores. Most paleo dieters get their supply from their local health food stores or groceries, looking for brands that specialize in creating paleo-friendly products.
If you’re making your own paleo snack recipes at home, you can get fresh, natural ingredients from local farmers' markets. Dieticians recommend this over buying pre-packed snacks—making your own snacks allows you to control and customize the ingredients to suit your diet.
While the paleo diet regime has an essential list of allowable food items, there’s still room for customization. Long-term paleo dieters share their secrets to keep their snacks exciting and satisfying:
