The Paleo diet can be hard to stick to when you find out all the foods you have to cut out of your daily routine. It’s supposed to be focused around foods that come straight from the earth and nothing that’s processed. Grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugar, salt, and potatoes should be avoided, but lean meats, seafood, nuts, fruits, and veggies are all encouraged. There’s no such thing as the perfect paleo shopping list, but there are a few staples that you won’t want to leave the grocery store without.
1. Coffee
Even thought going paleo means giving up a lot of foods you might love, coffee is not one of them. You won’t have to sacrifice your sanity, only the kind of creamer you add.
#SpoonTip: Sip on decaf coffee if possible, as caffeine isn’t recommended on the paleo diet.
2. Larabars
If you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of time for breakfast in the morning, then these are a must-have on your paleo shopping list. They follow exactly what the diet revolves around so you don’t have to worry about breaking it for this easy breakfast.
3. Spinach
You always need a leafy green in your cart. It doesn’t matter if you want to sauté it or want to make a salad, spinach is the perfect ingredient.
4. Eggs
I’d like to thank everyone I know for letting the paleo shopping list include eggs. There’s no easier meal than scrambled eggs or a homemade omelet. And it doesn’t matter if you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner because eggs work for all three meals.
5. Bananas
Here’s another item that can be used in more than one way. Whether you’re in need of a quick breakfast or a topping to your almond milk yogurt, a banana is a must-grab item.
6. Dark Chocolate
You’re probably going to be craving something sweet once you cut out everything you would usually turn to. Dark chocolate might not have the same satisfying taste as milk chocolate, but it’s one you can get used to over time.
#SpoonTip: Opt for dark chocolates that are 70% or darker, and enjoy in moderation (remember, refined sugars are a no-no on the paleo diet).
7. Salmon
The more you think about it, this paleo shopping list just keeps getting better. You won’t have to give up your favorite source of omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is great as a stand alone meal or as a topping to your spinach salad.
8. Bell Peppers
There are so many ways that you can eat bell peppers that it’ll be hard to get bored. Whether you want to fry them in olive oil or eat them raw, they’re something you won’t want to skip over on your paleo shopping list.
9. Kale Chips
The paleo shopping list item makes regular chips a thing of the past, so of course you’d be looking for something to fill that void. The thought of kale chips might sound questionable a first, but once you try them you’ll want to eat the entire bag.
10. Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Giving up ice cream altogether is not necessary as long as you’re buying dairy-free options. This paleo shopping list item is perfect for a late night snack when your sweet tooth is screaming for something.
#SpoonTip: Refined sugars aren’t allowed on the paleo diet, so avoid ice cream if you’re trying to follow the diet perfectly. If you’re craving ice cream, you might want to make your own paleo ice cream.
11. Nut Butter
I may be speaking for myself here, but not having to cut nut butter from my paleo shopping list is a major bonus. You can have anything from almond butter to cashew butter—just don’t grab a jar of peanut butter, since peanuts are cut out of the paleo diet.
12. Zucchini
You might think of zucchini as just a vegetable, but it’s much more than that. Adding this to your paleo shopping list will give you so many dinner options, from zucchini noodles to mini zucchini pizzas.
13. Tea
If you’re more of a tea person, then this will be good news for you. You won’t have to give up your daily cup of tea just to eat paleo. You can keep tea bags on your paleo shopping list, but opt for herbal teas instead of more caffeinated varieties.
14. Avocados
What’s a trendy diet without a trendy food? Avocados have been popping up in so many recipes that it’s hard to cut it out completely. Adding this to your paleo shopping list will spice up any bland meal; maybe pair it with salmon or make homemade guacamole.
15. Chicken
The recipes that can be made with chicken are endless. If you really wanted, you could make a different type of chicken every night, which is just the reason it should be on your paleo shopping list.
16. Sweet Potatoes
While a lot of grains aren’t allowed on the paleo shopping list, sweet potatoes somehow made the cut. You can make your own French fries or eat them as a baked potato, it’s all up to you. Try pairing them with chicken to give your meal an extra flavor boost.
17. Nuts
Add these to your shopping cart for a great mid-afternoon snack. You never know when you’re going to need a little energy boost while you’re out and about, so always have a bag stashed in your backpack.
18. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a great addition to any paleo shopping list because you can use it in so many different ways. Whether you’re using it to fry some vegetables or as a topping to your spinach salad, you’ll be sorry if you forget this at the grocery store.
19. Tuna
Tuna can serve as a meal or as a midday snack; it’s truly whatever you want it to be. You can pack yourself a tuna salad in your lunch or you can grab one of the snack packs and have it when you’re in a rush.
20. Cauliflower
This simple vegetable should never be left off your paleo shopping list. Not only can you cook it up as is, but you can also make it into rice. Since rice isn’t really welcomed on this diet, cauliflower rice is the perfect alternative.
21. Dried Fruits
Dried fruits are perfect to add a little extra flavor to your spinach salad. Not only that, they’re great to pair with nuts for a homemade trail mix. You can also just snack on them by themselves, they taste just as good.
22. Carrots
I find carrots to be a staple on any shopping not, but especially a paleo one. You can eat them raw or cook them up to get a different flavor. It’s honestly up to you; you have free range to tailor it to your taste buds.
23. Asparagus
This might be an item you don’t think of, so it tends to be left off the paleo shopping list. You’ll want to think twice before you leave the grocery store without some asparagus. This veggie is quick and easy to bake in the oven, top with salt and pepper and you’re good to go.
24. Celery
Celery can be a little bland, but think about how good it would taste paired with a nut butter. This combination is perfect for a midday snack or even an evening dessert (because dessert doesn’t always have to be sweet).
25. Spices
If you’re going to be cutting out your favorite junk foods, the least you could do is add some spice and flavor to the foods you can eat. Spices such as garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and cinnamon make for the best toppings with any meal.
If you’re still thinking that following a paleo diet is going to be impossible, then you might have to think again. This paleo shopping list proves how easy it can be to follow this diet, and how you don’t have to worry about restricting yourself from everything you love.