Paleo Meal Plan, Shopping List and Snack Ideas

As you know, this month I've gone Paleo as part of my Sara Tries Every Diet Every Diet Lifestyle and Tells You What the Books Won't challenge. The most difficult aspect for me has been switching my protein sources. As a long-time vegetarian, I'm accustomed to eating lentils, tofu, hummus, peanut-butter, oatmeal, couscous, cashews and other non-Paleo (but delicious) foods.

I decided to ask a Paleo blogger Jessica of Nummy For My Tummy her advice on what a healthy Paleo diet looks like and she devised this complete and comprehensive 7-day Paleo and Gluten-Free meal plan, including a full shopping list and a list of snack ideas, specifically for those transitioning to the Paleo diet. Many experience a "carb crash" which occurs when your body switches from burning carbs for fuel to burning fats like avocado, so it's important to keep lots of snacks at hand to keep your metabolism revved and prevent any energy crashes.



The Paleo diet is not for everyone. It's ideal for meat lovers, as it includes bacon, stir-fry, ground beef, roasted chicken and other indulgent meat sources. I wouldn't recommend a sedentary person to go Paleo but it can be great for someone who is strenuously exercising and needs the fuel and protein for recovery.

Should you chose to go Paleo, I recommend bookmarking this plan, printing it out for your reference and bringing it with you to the grocery store as a constant reminder of what you should be eating. The easiest way to stick to a diet is to plan ahead. 

7 DAY MEAL PLAN DAY BREAKFAST LUNCH SNACK DINNER SUNDAY Omelette Enchilada Ground beef & mixed veggies Cinnamon Granola & Berries Roasted Chicken Thighs Nitrate-Free Bacon OR Leftovers Veggies & Guac Butternut Squash & Rosemary Bread MONDAY Sweet Potato & Onion Tortilla Espanola Large Salad                     (see below) Apple & Raw Almonds Stir-Fried Meat & Noodles  Nitrate-Free Bacon Apple Cinnamon Muffin Veggies & Guac & Fruit TUESDAY Apple Cinnamon Muffin OR Eggs Salad & Muffin Apple & Raw Almond Butter TACO TUESDAY  Grilled meat (or veggies) w/ taco seasoning. Wrapped in lettuce. Nitrate-Free Bacon OR Leftovers Fruit Salad WEDNESDAY Sweet Potato & Onion Tortilla Espanola Stir-Fried Meat & Noodles Cinnamon Granola & Berries Meat & Veggies  Nitrate-Free Bacon  OR Leftovers Veggies & Guac w/ Thai Almond Sauce THURSDAY Apple Cinnamon Muffin OR Eggs Salad & Muffin Apple & Raw Almonds Garlic-Basil Spaghetti Squash Nitrate-Free Bacon OR Leftovers Veggies & Guac OR Marinara with Butternut Squash & Rosemary Bread FRIDAY Sweet Potato & Onion Tortilla Espanola Salad & Muffin Cinnamon Granola & Berries Grilled meat, Veggies  Nitrate-Free Bacon OR Leftovers Apple & Raw Almond Butter & Butternut Squash Bread SATURDAY Banana Pancakes Lettuce wrapped chicken &  guacamole Apple & Raw Almonds Hamburger Patty, Sweet Potato &  Nitrate-Free Bacon Fruit Salad Veggies & Guac Simple Apple Slaw

GROCERY LIST

Bacon Nitrate Free 1-2lbs

Almond Butter Raw Unsalted

Almond Flour – Fine Grind

Almonds Whole Raw Unsalted

Apples

Avocado

Bananas

Chicken

Coconut Flour

Coconut Oil

Coconut Shredded Unsweetened

Ground Beef

Guacamole

Lettuce

Maple Syrup Grade B

Spaghetti Squash 2-3lbs

Sweet Potatos 2lbs

Vegetables

SNACK IDEAS:

• Larbar (no peanut or cashew)

• Raw unsalted almonds

• Veggies & guacamole

• Fruit (and almonds or almond butter)

• Beef jerky (gluten-free)

• Hardboiled eggs

• Sliced meat (Applegate brand is ideal) & Veggies

• Trader Joe’s Plaintain Chips (ok, they’re only Paleo-ish, but a great starter snack)