The Quick Answer
No, artificial sweeteners are not paleo.
Why Aren’t Artificial Sweeteners Paleo?
While many people assume they are being smart and healthy by switching from real sugar to artificial sweeteners, they are failing to take into account the many harmful properties of artificial sweeteners. The artificial chemicals that make up popular artificial sweeteners like Splenda, Equal, and Sweet N’ Low have been linked with numerous health problems as well as noticeable and immediate changes in food cravings and digestion.
Artificial sweeteners are completely man-made, processed foods, created in complex laboratory ...
continue reading
Is Soda Paleo?
The Quick Answer
No. Soda is not paleo.
Why Isn’t Soda Paleo?
Soda is not paleo because it’s one of the most harmful man-made foods there is. It causes a range of problems, from insulin resistance to trouble concentrating. Some of the main reasons that soda is not paleo are:
Soda has an extremely high sugar content and therefore a very high score on the glycemic index. This means it wreaks havoc on blood sugar levels, leading to insulin resistance and other metabolic conditions.
Soda does not contain any nutrients at all. It offers nothing in terms of vitamins, minerals, protein, or fiber.
Consuming soda is ...
continue reading
Is Canola Oil Paleo?
Is Canola Oil Paleo?
The Quick Answer
No. Canola oil is not considered paleo.
Why Isn’t Canola Oil Paleo?
Canola oil isn’t paleo because it does not have an ideal ratio of omega-3s to omegas-6s. This essentially means it isn’t as healthy as many other available oils. Therefore, other oils are encouraged on the paleo diet instead of canola oil.
Originally Loren Cordain (the founder of the paleo diet) did promote the consumption of canola oil, but since the release of his original paleo diet book in 2002, he has changed his mind. Cordain now promotes the consumption of fish, avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, and ...
continue reading
Is Tahini Paleo?
The Quick Answer
Yes. Tahini is paleo.
Why Is Tahini Paleo?
Tahini is paleo because it is made from sesame seeds, which have numerous health benefits and which have been eaten for thousands of years around the world in places like the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
Tahini is a smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds, which is widely used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking. It is creamy, like nut butter, but it possesses a unique and sometimes bitter flavor.
Tahini has a texture and a consistency similar to nut butters. It comes in a paste form, although it’s usually pretty smooth and thinner than most nut butters. ...
continue reading
Are Berries Paleo?
The Quick Answer
Yes. Berries are paleo.
Why Are Berries Paleo?
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, and other dried berries) are paleo because they are a fruit and all fruit is paleo, mostly because it’s natural, unprocessed, and usually comes with a lot of health benefits.
Berries are often thought of as the healthiest fruits (kind of like kale is sometimes called “the holy grail of vegetables”). This is because berries are a nutrient powerhouse. They offer a range of important antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and phytonutrients, giving them the ability to fight free radicals, help ward ...
continue reading
Is Almond Milk Paleo?
The Quick Answer
Yes, almond milk is paleo.
Why Is Almond Milk Paleo?
Almond milk is paleo because it is mostly made from two paleo ingredients: almonds and water. In an ideal world, all almond milk (which is not actually “milk”, as it contains no dairy) would be made by first soaking organic almonds and then blending them with water. This almond “pulp” would then be strained, so that only the water (with an essence of almond taste) would remain. Unfortunately, this is not the type of almond milk you will find available in your grocery store. You might not even find this in your local health food store.
Check out our Paleo Diet Food ...
continue reading
Are Avocados Paleo?
The Quick Answer
Yes. Avocados are paleo.
Why Are Avocados Paleo?
Avocados (which are actually a fruit and not a vegetable) are paleo because they are naturally occurring and nutrient-dense foods. They contain healthy fats, as well as other important vitamins and minerals, making them a staple in many people's paleo diets. Avocados have been eaten for thousands of years in different parts of the world and today they are one of the most beloved paleo foods.
The biggest benefit that avocados have to offer is their healthy fat content. Healthy fats are essential for a variety of bodily functions: brain function, hormonal balance, ...
continue reading
Is Coconut Milk Paleo?
The Quick Answer
Is Coconut Milk Paleo? Yes. Coconut milk is paleo.
Why Is Coconut Milk Paleo?
What Is Coconut Milk?
Coconut milk is paleo because it is mostly made from two paleo ingredients: coconuts and water. A basic coconut milk recipe will only include these two paleo ingredients, but be cautious because many packaged coconut milks found in stores are full of other not-so-great added ingredients. Fillers, thickeners, and extra flavors are added to almost all store-bought coconut milks to help them keep their texture, avoid the fat in the liquid separating, and stay fresh for longer.
Coconut milk is not actually “milk”. It ...
continue reading
What Is Pitaya?
Every now and then you hear of a new health food or super food that has everyone raving. One of those foods that you might have heard about recently is pitaya.
What Is Pitaya?
The pitaya is a fruit that comes from several species of cactus. The pitaya fruit is a strange-looking fruit. It is a deep pink or red color on the outside and it has hard green leaves. The inside of the fruit is fleshy and contains seeds, just like the kiwi does.
There are two varieties of pitaya (or pitahaya). One comes from Central America and the other (dragon fruit) comes from Asia.
The Asian dragonfruit comes from the genus Hylocereus, is white on ...
continue reading
Is Kimchi Paleo?
The Quick Answer
Is Kimchi Paleo? Yes, kimchi is Paleo.
What Is Kimchi?
Kimchi was first introduced about 3,000 years ago, according to a collection of Chinese poetry. It is believed that the word "kimchi" came from the Korean word "japchae", which means "vegetables soaked in water."
Kimchi is commonly associated with Korean culture, as it is a staple food in that part of the world (there’s even a kimchi museum in Seoul). However, today it is more often than not viewed as a condiment.
Kimchi was originally made with veggies and beef stock. The kimchi you are most likely familiar with today is prepared by salting cabbage ...
continue reading