These vegan paleo diet recipes are ideal for anyone who wants to improve their health – and their body!
By Lora O’Brien
When it comes to eating, there are so many different kinds of diets we could follow. No wonder it’s easy to get confused about what’s good or bad for our health! But one thing is for sure: humans are getting unhealthier. Especially in the USA! From obesity to diabetes, food related diseases are on the rise. And shockingly, longevity in America is falling.
So, what should we eat to stay healthy, then? Well, a paleo diet may be the solution you’re looking for.
A paleo way of eating is said to benefit your overall health, no matter what your body type, since it focuses on whole, unprocessed foods such as vegetables, nuts, seeds and meat. But what’s the science behind the paleo diet, and what can you eat a vegan paleo diet?
What is the paleo diet?
Paleo is ultimately a way of eating based on the foods humans may have eaten during the Paleolithic Era. So, like 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. The modern makeover of the paleo diet pretty much includes a diet of fresh fruits, veggies, lean meat, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds. These are based on the food that could have been sourced by hunting and gathering, so grains, legumes and dairy products are not part of the diet. In other words, it’s a pre-agricultural diet.
The belief behind eating this way is that our genes have not adjusted to modern foods. So items such as grains, legumes and dairy are changing the way our bodies function. The result? It’s thought to be obesity, diabetes and heart disease, amongst other ills. People choose to adopt a paleo diet because they want to lose weight, increase longevity, or maintain a healthier body.
What can you eat on a vegan paleo diet?
Once you know what you can and cannot eat to follow a paleo diet correctly it makes it easier. In general, a paleo diet follows the below rules for what to eat and what to avoid.
What to eat:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- Oils from fruits and nuts, such as olive oil or walnut oil
What to avoid:
- Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup: sodas, fruit juice, refined sugar, sweets and baked goods
- Grains: wheat, oats, cereal, spelt, rye, barley, etc.
- Legumes: beans, lentils, and peanuts
- Most vegetable oils: soybean oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, and others.
- All artificial sweeteners: aspartame, sucralose, cyclamates, saccharin, acesulfame potassium.
- Highly processed foods: if it didn’t come from nature, it’s not paleo! Ditch anything in a package. This could be anything from crisps, cookies and sweets to artificial meal replacements and pastas.
Though there are a few differences between a paleo and vegan lifestyle, there is also many similarities which make it easy to combine both. A paleo and vegan diet both focus on eliminating refined, processed junk foods and prioritising natural, whole foods.
How can paleo vegans get enough protein?
Getting enough protein is the eternal vegan issue. But never fear! Some vegan and paleo sources of protein to in
There are many versions of the paleo diet, so you can use paleo as a template for the way you want to eat. The good news? There are many delicious vegan paleo diet recipes you can enjoy, such as these, below.
- Nutritional yeast
- Hemp seeds
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Pumpkin seeds
- Flaxseed
- Cashews
- Walnuts
- Brazil nuts
The truth is, it’s much easier for vegans to eat a paleo diet than you might think! Still don’t believe me? Check out these recipes below.
Paleo Recipes For Vegans
1. Vegan Grain Free Hot Cereal
Whether you’ve only got 5 minutes to whip up breakfast or are just looking for something simple to throw together, breakfast bowls are always a hit! Ans this grain-free hot cereal is one of the best vegan paleo recipes for the first meal of the day. It will nourish your soul, fuelling you for the day ahead.
Get the recipe here.
2. Vegan Paleo Breakfast Casserole
This breakfast casserole is perfect for cold, rainy days. It’s made using green apples, almond meal and spices to create a baked dish that will not only taste out of this world, but make your kitchen smell divine, too!
Get the recipe here.
3. Creamy Cherry Smoothie
This is one of those vegan paleo recipes that can be made in seconds, giving you a tasty breakfast or snack whenever you feel hungry. The vegan yogurt helps to make it more filling, while the fruit adds the perfect amount of natural sweetness.
Get the recipe here.
4. Rainbow Chia Pudding Bowls
First and foremost, we eat with our eyes. So why not make breakfast pretty? And this rainbow chia pudding looks as gorgeous as it tastes! Loaded with various fruits, you can switch this up to cater to the seasons, too!
Get the recipe here.
5. Grain-Free Sweet Potato Waffles
Waffles are perfect for a cosy breakfast or brunch recipe and these vegan and paleo waffles make the perfect treat. The warming spices of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg pair perfectly with maple syrup and banana slices. Can you understand why this is one of my favourite vegan paleo recipes? Yum!
Get the recipe here.
6. Scallion Pancakes
These scallion pancakes are crispy on the outside and chewing in the inside. They’re filled with minced scallions for a spicy vegan and paleo breakfast. Or, of course, you can also eat these for lunch, dipped in a spicy paleo sauce. Bonus: this recipe is great for those on a budget, as it costs pennies to make!
Get the recipe here.
7. Mexican Chocolate Walnut Chili
You may be thinking, chocolate in chilli? Really? But in the spirit of trusting the process, trust the recipe and make it. It has the classics such as spices, onions, tomatoes and jalapenos, with some not-so-classic additions of dark chocolate, cinnamon, butternut squash and walnuts. Filling and warming, you’ll be surprised by how much you love it!
Get the recipe here.
8. Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti Squash
This creamy Tuscan spaghetti makes for a flavourful side dish or a light dinner. The sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and spinach show how delicious vegan paleo recipes can be. They will for sure tickle those tastebuds!
Get the recipe here.
9. Coconut Curry Soup
If you think vegan paleo recipes are dull, this hearty vegetable coconut curry soup will prove you wrong! It is bursting with aromatic flavours mixed with a coconut milk broth. This is a soup that will soothe and soul with every spoonful!
Get the recipe here.
10. Zucchini Tomato Casserole
Some may think it’s hard to eat a vegan diet or that it’s lacking because there’s no meat. But when dishes like this flavoursome vegan zucchini tomato casserole exist, who wouldn’t want to be vegan? And the best part? It has less than half the calories of traditional Italian dishes, like lasagne.
Get the recipe here.
11. Harvest Hash
Not sure whether you crave something sweet or savoury? Throw them both together with this harvest hash breakfast. Roasted Brussels sprouts are paired with crunchy pecans, tart cranberries, caramelised sweet potatoes and apples with warming spices. Super hearty, it can be served as a breakfast or a tasty side dish.
Get the recipe here.
12. Cream of Mushroom Soup
Who doesn’t love a warming, nourishing bowl of soup? This homemade cream of mushroom is another of my favourite vegan paleo recipes. It’s savoury and comforting on its own. It’s also easy to make, yay!
Get the recipe here.
13. Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta
Who says vegan paleo recipes can’t include pasta in some form? This speedy and simple creamy pasta dish is grain free, paleo, dairy free and vegan but you’d never know! It makes the perfect weeknight dinner. Thing is, you’re going to need to find a grain free pasta. In other words, one made from quinoa. But loads of health stores should be able to provide…
Get the recipe here.
14. Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Cashew Cream
Looking for healthy yet fulfilling vegan paleo recipes? These roasted cauliflower steaks paired with a paprika cashew cream sauce make a wholesome meal. Plus, it’s super simple to make and only calls for minimal ingredients. Win, win!
Get the recipe here.
15. Spiralised Vegetable Stir Fry
This veggie stir fry recipe can be made in one pan in under 20 minutes – that’s what you call fast food! The spiralised veggies are tossed in a satay-style cashew sauce and finished off with fresh coriander to make a delicious lunch of dinner dish.
Get the recipe here.
16. Cauliflower Tacos
Thank heavens there are paleo vegan recipes with Mexican flare! Because, you know – Mexican food is life! These cauliflower tacos are easy to make using air fried, grilled or roasted cauliflower, cabbage and jalapeño drizzled with an avocado lime cream. Gluten-free, paleo, vegan, grain-free and low carb, they’re perfect for a light and healthy lunch or dinner!
Get the recipe here.
17. Sesame Ginger Zucchini Noodles
These low-carb sesame ginger zucchini noodles are loaded with delicious flavours! From the juicy, grilled pineapple, sweet mango and fresh mint, this dish is like an explosion for the senses. Plus it’s packed with healthy fats that are really good for you.
Get the recipe here.
18. Eggplant Involtini
Better than the traditional dish, and way healthier, too! This gluten-free, vegan and paleo version of eggplant involtini is bursting with Italian flavour. Super easy to make, no pan is used for frying, and did I mention it’s delicious?!
Get the recipe here.
19. Instant Pot Dandelion Greens with Caramelised Onions
This instant pot dandelion greens dish with caramelised onions couldn’t be easier to make. Simply put everything into a pressure cooker and cook until super tender, removing the bitterness from the greens. The lemon and garlicky dressing adds flavour while the onions bring the perfect balance of sweetness. This is one of the best paleo vegan recipes for those who are into foraging!
Get the recipe here.
20. Hearty Paleo Vegan Pot Pie
Pot pie is a wonderfully hearty dish and this paleo vegan recipe is no exception. Packed with veggies and a dairy-free creamy sauce topped with a crust, this will be a favourite meal any day of the week.
Get the recipe here.
21. Vanilla Cupcakes
Did you really think we’d do a list of vegan paleo recipes without desserts? Whether you’re making a batch for a celebration or just because these vanilla cupcakes with a sweet raspberry frosting are soft and fluffy, you won’t believe they’re egg and grain-free, too.
Get the recipe here.
22. Strawberry Cobbler
This strawberry cobbler will quickly become a family favourite! A sweet strawberry layer is baked with a biscuit cobbler topping that’s gluten free, then perfect served with a big scoop of coconut vanilla ice cream or on its own!
Get the recipe here.
23. One Bowl Brownies
I think I speak for the masses when I say the less mess I can make while baking, the better. Who wants to be left with all that washing up? So these one bowl brownies are perfect. Not to mention they taste insanely decadent!
Get the recipe here.
24. Easy Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies
Whether they’re a snack or a breakfast, these pumpkin cookies are the perfect treat to grab and go. They’re super filling, full of goodness and won’t lead to a sugar slump an hour after eating.
Get the recipe here.
25. Oatmeal Creme Pies
How delicious do these creme pies look? There’s really no shortage of vegan paleo recipes for desserts! They’re chewy and sweet with a creamy filling you’ll find hard to believe is dairy-free! They’re really easy to make, you could even get little hands involved, too.
Get the recipe here.
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