If you are already committed to the ways of a paleo eating diet you will have banished grains, refined sugars, and vegetable oils from your shopping list, but that doesn’t mean your options are limited when it comes to enjoying some tasty snacks.
Here is a look at some classic snack ideas that offer a great alternative to some popular snack cravings. There is a tempting alternative popcorn recipe to try, plus a pizza cheat and some jerky recipes that will hit the spot. You can also enjoy a healthy alternative to potato chips using sunflower seeds.
Prepare the cauliflower for your movie night
Traditional popcorn might be a favourite snack to enjoy with a movie but if you are sticking to a paleo diet, it doesn’t pass the ingredients test as corn is the main ingredient.
If you want a worthwhile paleo alternative, try cauliflower popcorn.
All you have to do is trim the head of cauliflower, discarding the core and any thick stems, then cut the florets into small bite-size balls. Combine about four tablespoons of olive oil with a teaspoon of salt and then toss the cauliflower pieces in the mixture.
Spread the seasoned pieces around on a baking tray and roast them for about an hour, or at least until they have turned golden brown in color. If you can let them brown for as long as possible without actually burning, this encourages caramelisation and makes the snack taste even sweeter.
Serve your cauliflower popcorn in a traditional cinema-style carton and enjoy the movie!
Meaty treats that will satisfy snackers
If you find it hard to resist the lure of chicken wings, pizza or even chicken nuggets, there are some snack ideas to satisfy your meat cravings that still manage to use all the right ingredients for your diet.
Chicken is understandably popular and there are countless ways to serve up this favorite meat, including some tempting chili-lime chicken wings.
What is good about this recipe is that there is no need to deep fry the wings or coat them in breadcrumbs, as they still taste awesome. You will need some paleo-friendly fish sauce and coconut amino amongst the ingredients and make plenty of them if you want some for yourself after offering them around.
For a paleo pizza solution, you can create some bite-sized snacks that use pepperoni or thin-cut sausage for the base. Just add tomato sauce, oregano, and some chopped olives and you will have a perfectly acceptable pizza alternative.
If you want some nuggets to complete the snack-fest, look for a coconut-crusted nuggets recipe and you will have a satellite of meaty treats that will go down a storm.
Jerky is a paleo original
Paleo is often described as a modern caveman’s diet and beef jerky is a very appropriate snack for paying homage to the original hunter-gatherers who would have regularly feasted on dried or smoked meat.
All you have to do is follow the instructions provided with your food dehydrator and you will be able to turn your upcycled meat into a decent snack to enjoy anytime.
If you don’t have a dehydrator and want a simpler alternative, try a recipe using seasoned ground beef. Thinly spread your beef out on a baking sheet and let it bake on a low setting for eight hours or more.
Break off some bite-sized chunks when the ground beef jerky is done and enjoy a snack that is almost the epitome of what paleo is all about. You can even get Jerky gift boxes – which would make a great gift or treat idea.
You won’t miss the potato chips
If you are looking for a healthy alternative to snacking on potato chips and want a paleo option, look no further than roasted pumpkin seeds.
Not only are pumpkin seeds an excellent source of fibre, protein, and potassium, they are really easy to prepare and make a great snack that you will find hard to resist.
All you have to do is toss the pumpkin seeds with some coconut oil or olive oil, then bake them for about twenty minutes and add a pinch of salt for seasoning if you want to.
These are a few of the many paleo snacks to try that are perfect in terms of taste and healthy credentials.
Disclosure: This is a featured post from Lily Thorpe. Lily Thorpe loves being in the kitchen creating meals that are tasty yet healthy for her family. She started following the paleo diet a few years ago and, after initial teething problems, hasn’t looked back.
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