Stone Age Diet (Paleo) Recipes – Going Back in Time for a Modern Appetite

The Stone Age Diet, also called the Paleo Diet, is based on eating foods that ancient man would have, hence the name.  Paleo is short for Paleolithic. It is based on a diet derived from animal proteins and some vegetables, and which is short on carbohydrates and refined foods.

To compose Stone Age Diet recipes, you can use any meat you desire, from poultry and wild game to pork, lamb, and beef.  Organ meats are perfectly acceptable as are the slightly processed meats salami and bacon. Eggs, shellfish, and fin fish round out the meats part.  Vegetables are allowed so long as they are based on what could be found without modern farming techniques, such as lettuce, onions, celery, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

Spices and seasonings are definitely allowed in the Paleo Diet to give flavor and balance to the diet.  Plus, many herbs have other beneficial properties, too. Fats can be used, again as long as they are minimally processed, like nut oils or lard. Nut oils should be cold pressed. Salt is not forbidden, but sea salt is recommended instead of other salts to reduce the sodium amount.

For sweet things and to round out your meals, you can have berries, dark chocolate, nuts and seeds, oats, and lentils.  Fluids can come from filtered water and herbal teas.  Mild, natural processing is acceptable, such as fermentation of vegetables, but vinegar must be taken out of the diet.

So what can’t you incorporate in your recipes?  Alcohol is a main one.  Grains are also on the list, including wheat, corn, millet, rice, and rye. Dairy must be avoided along with sugar, potatoes, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and fruit.  Processed foods many times have additives and preservatives, so they cannot be consumed.  Canned fish or vegetables are fine, however, as they are typically still basically just the food item without a large number of other ingredients.

It is thought that the majority of food allergies result from grains and dairy, hence their elimination from Stone Age Diet recipes. Those who follow the Paleo diet often find that their health improves, particularly when it comes to metabolic disorders like diabetes and heart disease.  This is probably due to the elimination of carbohydrates which affect blood sugar levels.

Here are some suggestions for some Stone Age Diet recipes, but please feel free to experiment and find combinations you will love.  Your biggest meal will be the midday meal, with breakfast and dinner being much smaller.

For breakfast, a bacon and egg meal served with some sesame or flax seeds gives you a nice protein boost for the day, plus the flax seeds will give you some healthful omega-3 fatty acids.  In lieu of the bacon, you can also have some smoked fish like salmon.

Lunch is your main meal, so here is where you can have the best variety. Choose a favorite meat, pair it with a nice salad, and a nice meat stock based soup with approved vegetables for fiber and flavor.

Dinner can be from some fish or eggs again, served with a nice side of vegetables and a dessert of berries with some nuts.

Try out different combinations of foods, and see what you like best. You’ll soon see that the Paleo Diet, or Stone Age Diet, is not restrictive at all, and it will let your creativity flow!