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73 Paleo Dinner Ideas

What are you having for your Paleo Dinner tonight? Have your dinners started to get repetitive and boring? Or perhaps you’ve got a joint of meat sat in your fridge and are looking for some inspiration about what dinner to make with it? My Paleo dinner recipe book is full of dinner recipes – you can check it out here. Meanwhile, here are some Paleo dinner ideas to cook and enjoy tonight…

Chicken Paleo Dinner Options

There are so many options with chicken! If you’ve got some chicken at home, perhaps one of these ideas will give you some inspiration?

Thai green curry
Chicken Fajitas. Either skip the tortillas or use lettuce, or Nori wraps instead
Chicken casserole – make it in your crockpot/ slow cooker for an instant dinner
Chicken kebabs
Bacon wrapped chicken breasts
Roast chicken
Chicken salad with mango
Lemon chicken in the slow cooker
Jerk chicken
Quick & easy chicken curry
Paleo chicken pad thai
Avocado Cashew chicken

Fish Paleo Dinner Suggestions

Fish is a great choice for Omega 3 – just make sure you get good quality seafood – and ideally line caught fish.

Salmon burgers
Paleo Sushi using nori wraps and cauliflower rice
Pan seared tuna with lime and steamed veggies
Smoked haddock omelette
Chilli crab
Salt & pepper squid
Shrimp salad
Chowder
Baked trout & roasted vegetables
Seared scallops
Muscles with garlic
Seaweed salad
Paleo paella
Fish stew

SAD Dinners

Missing a SAD favourite? Try the Paleo version!

Make a Paleo pizza with a nut flour base
Spaghetti bolognaise with zucchini noodles

Beef Paleo Dinner Ideas

Beef is another very versatile dinner choice, with literally thousands of menu options. Try one of these ideas tonight.

Bunless burgers with sweet potato fries
Meatloaf
Lasagne (using eggplant and zucchini instead of pasta)
Paleo meatballs
Beanless chilli
Spicy beef curry made with coconut milk
A traditional roast beef dinner with roasted veggies
A beef and broccoli stir fry
Beef stew
Beef stuffed capsicum/bell peppers
Beef stroganoff
Cottage pie topped with cauliflower mash
Beef Goulash
Beef Bourguignon
Steak & Eggs
Cinnamon beef hash
The classic meat pie

Lamb Paleo Dinners

I always forget how much I enjoy lamb. Fancy one of these on your menu tonight?

Shepherds pie topped with sweet potato mash
Lamb shanks with cauliflower rice
Lamb skewers
Slow roasted leg of lamb
Lamb tagine
Lamb hotpot
Lamb chops and mint sauce
Lamb burgers served with a Greek salad
Rogan Josh

Paleo Pork Dinners

You can do a lot with pork – this is one meat that I especially recommend getting the best quality possible. Ideally try to get pasture raised pork.

Sausage and (sweet potato) mash
Pork chops, apple sauce and steamed greens
Ginger & orange pork ribs
Sweet & sour pork
Sausage hash
Pork chops & apple sauce
Moroccan pork
Braised short ribs
Paleo sausages with sauerkraut
Pork tenderloin with pumpkin
Sausage, red wine & almond casserole

Other Meats & Offal Dinners

For a nutritional boast, how about something more unusual – or some offal?

Liver & onions. The classic combination – not to mention packed with goodness
Chicken liver salad with poached egg
Oxtail soup
Barbequed Kangaroo

Winter Paleo Diet Dinners

Something comforting for cold winters nights

What are your favourite dinners? I’d love to hear some more dinner ideas from you, in the comments below! And if you enjoyed this post, please like and share it.

12 Gifts For The Health Conscious Foodie paleo diet christmas present ideas kitchen cooking gadgets wish list-min

The Best 12 Kitchen Gifts for Health-Conscious Food Lovers

5 Comments

Whilst you can follow a healthy Paleo Diet with little more than a chopping board and a few pans, there are some great kitchen gadget and tools that surely any foodie would love in their kitchen.

Here’s my list. What’s on yours?

1. Dehydrator

I've had good results making jerky and kale chips in my oven, but I would love to try a dehydrator

2. Vitamix Blender

The Rolls Royce of blenders, able to grind nuts into nut butters and even cook soup. I want one!

3. A Good Set Of Knives

I really miss a good knife set, but have yet to find a good brand available in Australia (without needing a small mortgage). Any recommendations gratefully received!

4. Pressure Cooker

I've seen so many recipes that use a pressure cooker to make exceptionally tender meat – and I’d love to try it out for myself.

5. An Old School Mincer/ Meat Grinder

Even though I have a good butcher, I’d love to be able to make my own minced/ ground meat

6. A Big Slow Cooker/ Crockpot

I didn't realise how much I’d love this method of cooking, when I bought my small slow cooker. I wish I’d bough a much bigger one, as whenever I cook I always like to make enough for lots of future meals at the same time.

7. A Heavy Hardwood Chopping Board

A good chopping board last for years and is so much more hygienic than those nasty plastic chopping boards.

8. Mandoline Slicer

A great way to cut up vegetables evenly

9. Meat Thermometer

The best way to cook a perfect roast is using science after all!

10. Sausage Stuffer

Once I have my meat grinder, I’d love to make my own Paleo Sausages.

11. Water Filter

I have a Brita water filter jug in the fridge – but what I’d really like is a water filter on my tap, to ensure all the water is filtered before it leaves the tap.

12. Salad Spinner

This would be great for summer and making sure the kale is dried properly before making kale chips.

Do you have any of these items? How do you find using them?

More Gift Ideas for the Paleo Foodie

These days, there are so many gadgets and tools that can make healthy cooking faster, easier, and more enjoyable. While this list is a great starting point, the best gifts are always personal — so think about the way your giftee likes to eat, prep and live.

For those who love batch cooking or meal prepping, a large-capacity slow cooker, instant pot, or even vacuum sealer could be a game-changer. A set of glass storage containers can also help them keep leftovers fresh without the use of plastic.

For the serious Paleo foodie, a fermentation kit can open the door to making homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha — all great gut-friendly foods. If you’re shopping for someone who’s really into ancestral health or biohacking, even something like a blue light blocking lamp, raw honey gift set, or sustainable cookware might be appreciated.

And don't overlook digital gift options like online Paleo cooking classes, a subscription to a grass-fed meat delivery box, or even credit for an organic grocery delivery service. These gifts don’t take up kitchen space but make a big impact in daily life.

Whether it's for Christmas, a birthday, or just because — thoughtful gifts that support health, nutrition, and joy in the kitchen are always appreciated.

What’s on your Paleo kitchen wish list right now? Let me know in the comments!

75 Paleo Snack Ideas

32 Comments

Once you've perfected your Paleo meals, you might need to work on making sure you have a few Paleo snack ideas in your repertoire, to fit it with your Paleo diet. Here is the list of Paleo snacks you've been waiting for!

If you're looking for even more ideas and recipes for Paleo snacks – you'll be pleased to hear my Paleo Snack recipe ebook has just been launched! You can find it here.

Ideally, if you have a good Paleo breakfast and lunch, you’ll often find you don’t feel hungry and don’t need to snack. If you do find yourself hungry between meals, try eating more at meals (are you consuming enough satiating fat in your meals?). Also, check out the recipe book I've just written with loads of Paleo Breakfast recipes to inspire you.

There are always occasions where it’s good to have some healthy Paleo snacks prepared, or in mind. This way when hunger strikes, you won’t ruin your Paleo diet. There are hundreds of great Paleo and Primal snack ideas and 75 ideas in the list below. With a bit of preparation, there will never be any need to hit the vending machine or go for an unhealthy option.

Some of these ideas are more Primal/ Lacto-Paleo with the inclusion of dairy. If you tolerate dairy, get the best quality full-fat you can. Raw dairy is even better.

Brace yourself – this is a long list. Most of the ideas are quick and easy – so there’s no excuse not to keep in Paleo!

Paleo Snack Options For Work

It’s a great plan to have an emergency Paleo kit in your desk at work. This way whether your caught sort, or don’t have time for lunch, you always have a fast Paleo snack at your fingertips. If you’re buying pre packages tins and packets, make sure you check the ingredients and get the best quality available. These options should store and keep well for a while in your desk; perfect for an emergency stash!

1. A tin of tuna or salmon
2. A good quality packet of beef jerky (or make your own)
3. Put together a trail mix of your favourite nuts and seeds
4. Some dark chocolate
5. Larabars are a good emergency option
6. Coconut flakes will also store well
7. A jar of coconut oil and spoon will provide some good fat when you need it most

Kids Paleo Snack Options

Children tend to eat more fruit than adults, but these ideas will be good for adult snacks too.

8. Apple & cheese slices
9. Fruit balls (made with a melon baller) in coconut milk
10. Turkey roll-ups with cucumber, tomato, grated carrot and avocado inside
11. Make “chicken nuggets” coated in coconut flour and egg
12. Wrap melon in ham

Simple Snacks

It doesn't get much easier than these snack ideas

13. An avocado and a spoon
14. Peeled, hard-boiled eggs
15. Black and green olives
16. Fruit in coconut milk
17. Seasonal fruit on it’s own
18. A young fresh coconut
19. Pork rinds/ crackling (ideally home-made, if not, make sure it’s good quality with minimal ingredients!)
20. Coconut yoghurt

Movie Snack Ideas

Instead of a bucket of popcorn and soda, you can easily keep it Paleo with these movie snack ideas

21. Activate, dry roast and season some cashews, pecans and walnuts
22. Spicy almonds
23. Dried seaweed (make your own, or buy – checking the ingredients!)
24. Coconut flakes are a great ready to eat snack
25. A medley of berries (i.e. strawberries, cherries and blueberries) with coconut flakes
26. A dried fruit mix
27. Meatballs
28. Pigs in blankets

Midnight Snacks

Late night, bedtime and midnight snacks seem to be a common habit for a lot of people. Here are some Paleo supper ideas you can try before bed, that won’t ruin a day of great nutrition.

29. Make up some almonds, walnuts and berries in a bowl of coconut milk
30. A bowl of Paleo granola or No-Oatmeal
31. Some full fat yoghurt
32. Smoked salmon

Airport and Flying Paleo Snack Options

Given the unhealthy options available at airport and on most flights, it’s a great plan to come prepared with your own Paleo snacks. Check the security requirements at the airports you’re travelling through to determine which of the following options will be allowed on your airplane. Hopefully with unopened packets, you should have no problems, but do check first!

33. Smoked meat and high quality salami (this should store well)
34. Good quality cheese
35. Coconut Butter
36. A sealed packet of nuts and seeds
37. A jar of pickles (check the ingredients!)

On the Go & Travel Paleo Snack Ideas

When you have to travel for work, or don’t have time, these options will work well on the go.

38. Make up a batch of egg muffins to store in the fridge and grab as required
39. Paté
40. Sardines
41. A tin of smoked oysters
42. Diced meat and veg
43. Make up some devilled eggs ready to go
44. Keep some bacon pieces in the fridge
45. Dehydrate some apple slices
46. Make veggie chips with sweet potatoes, kale, brussel sprouts, pumpkin or zucchini to take with you
47. There are a few Paleo Packs on the markets idea for travelling with

Pre and Post Workout Paleo Snacks

Before and after a workout your nutrition requirements are different; here are some ideas to give you a good protein boast.

48. Protein Shakes; whilst not exactly “whole foods” there are some great Primal protein powders available
49. Chicken and avocado is a great snack to take to the gym
50. Make some primal energy protein bars
51. Leftover meat and mustard (or try making a Paleo mayonnaise)

Weight Loss Paleo Snack Suggestions

When you have weight to lose, snacks are dangerous territory! Some snacks, such as nuts and fruit are easy to overdo and can sabotage your weight loss efforts. If you’re constantly hungry, make sure your meals are sufficient and try adding more fat. These low-calorie snack ideas are going to be a better bet for weight loss on a Paleo diet

52. Make some rice-less Sushi using nori wraps, lengths of veggies, avocado, egg and fish
53. Make a small omelette with your favourite vegetables
54. Carrot and celery sticks with an almond and cashew butter dip
55. Fresh salmon on cucumber slices
56. Cucumber sticks with a guacamole dip
57. Capsicum (Bell Pepper) strips with a homemade spicy salsa
58. Mini bacon & guacamole “sandwiches”
59. Cherry tomatoes and ham
60. Roast vegetables with a ranch dipping sauce
61. Sauerkraut
62. Make up some nori “chips” in the oven with coconut oil and seasoning with spices

After Dinner Paleo Snack Ideas

Instead of a dessert or pudding, these snack ideas should fulfil the need for “something” sweet, without going overboard!

63. Keep it simple with some squares of very dark chocolate
64. Try chocolate coated bacon pieces, unusual, but delicious
65. Make some chocolate coated almond and coconut bites
66. Dip strawberries and blueberries in chocolate
67. Make some “Paleo Cookies” using almond meal
68. Make coconut flour berry muffins/ “cakes”
69. Coconut flour pancakes
70. Frozen grapes
71. Baked apples with cinnamon and coconut cream
72. A simple fruit salad

Drink Your Paleo Snack

With a flask or thermos and some preparation, you can have a drinkable snack with you wherever you go.

73. Bone broth
74. Soup
75. A green smoothie (remember to add in a fat source like avocado or coconut milk from your favourite recipe)

Has your snacking frequency changed since you've been following a Paleo diet? What are your favourite snacks? I’d love to hear more suggestions to add to the list of Paleo snack ideas; let me know in the comments below! And don't forget to check out my Paleo Snack recipe ebook for full recipes and even more Paleo snack ideas!

80 Paleo Breakfast Ideas

45 Comments

If it wasn't for struggling to come up with different Paleo Breakfast Ideas, I'm sure more people would make the transition over to Paleo. Unfortunately, Breakfast seems to be associated with cereal, toast, bagels, crumpets and sugar laden foods.

Breakfast doesn't have to equal grains! tweet this quote

I think a lot of people also get stuck in a breakfast rut making the same dish every day. Well, it’s time to break it up – try something new for breakfast tomorrow!

My biggest tip is to get used to seeing breakfast as fuel – it’s just another meal! And who wants to start the day off with a big sugar crash?

I've come up with lots of great Paleo Breakfast Ideas for whatever your Paleo situation (no time, dislike eggs, want to drink breakfast, child friendly, SAD substitutes, vegetarian/ vegan or keen to impress) – there are certainly lots of options.

To prove the point, here is a HUGE list of 80 Paleo Breakfast Ideas to inspire you. And if you want even MORE, check out my very own Paleo Breakfast Recipe book, with over 100 pages of beautifully photographed step-by-step recipes.

Easy Paleo Breakfast Ideas

Here are some Paleo Breakfast Ideas for when you have a little bit of time in the morning:

1. Bacon, eggs, avocado, mushrooms & tomato

2. An omelette with your choice of meat, vegetables and of course – egg yolks as well as whites

3. Make a frittata with your favourite veggies, meats and cheese (if you’re more Primal than Paleo)

4. There’s nothing like steak and eggs for breakfast!

5. For a nutritionally dense Paleo Breakfast Idea, chop up chicken liver and scramble with eggs, mushroom, onions and capsicum (bell peppers)

6. Scrambled eggs mixed with diced bacon and avocado (my personal favourite!)

7. Soft boiled eggs and wilted spinach

8. Lots of nations wake up to soup – make a soup with bone broth – or try coconut milk and leftover meat and veggies

9. Sweet potato, sardines and a poached egg

10. Try substitution bacon for skirt steak and serve with pumpkin

11. Bake an egg in an avocado

12. Bone broth with an egg whisked in

13. Smoked salmon and fried eggs for a great protein boast

14. Smoked haddock with poached eggs and wilted spinach

No Time?

When you need a good, quick Paleo Breakfast and have no time to cook and prepare, here are some fast ideas:

15. Paleo Breakfast Casserole – the night before put your choice of ingredients in your slow cooker – and wake up to an instant hot breakfast

16. Egg muffins – cook these up with your favourite veggies and meat in a big batch – and help yourself from the fridge all week

17. Make up a batch of salmon and zucchini croquettes to dig into all week

18. Black Coffee

19. Got a couple of minutes? Scramble an egg in a mug in the microwave

20. The day before, roast some sweet potatoes, and some chicken and have waiting in a container ready for breakfast

21. Make up a breakfast salad the night before with nuts, olives, avocado – and dress with extra virgin olive oil to serve

Grab & Go/ Travel

With no time to eat at home, these are some Paleo Breakfast ideas you can have on the go, eat on the road or perhaps at work.

22. Take a can of tuna/ mackerel/ kippers/ sardines and some pre-cut raw veggies

23. Make a Paleo trail mix with your favourite nuts and dried fruit

24. There’s nothing wrong with beef jerky for breakfast!

25. Hard boiled eggs travel well and can be prepared in advance

26. Make a BLT sandwich using capsicum (bell pepper) as the “bread”

27. Coconut yoghurt

28. Take a halved avocado and a spoon

29. Pork scratchings/ crackling/ rind (whatever you like to call it!)

30. Make up nut balls with nuts, seeds, spices and coconut oil and store in the fridge

SAD Substitutes

If you’re missing your old SAD breakfasts, there’s a Paleo Diet grain-free equivalent for almost everything…

31. Make a Paleo cereal with your favourite nuts, berries and seeds in a bowls of almond milk

32. Or try a Paleo cereal using dried fruit, seeds and nuts and serve with coconut milk and a pinch of cinnamon

33. Paleo granola can be made up from your choice of nuts and served with coconut milk

34. Make up banana bread with almond meal – and bananas!

35. A coconut muesli with nuts, seeds and coconut flakes served in coconut milk

36. Make up a noatmeal – or a Paleo porridge substitute using ground nuts, seeds, eggs and coconut milk

Leftovers

These deserve their own category! Make sure you cook up extra dinner the night before – and you have a ready made breakfast. What’s wrong with steak for breakfast?

37. Sauté onions and mushrooms – and last nights leftover meat and serve over poached eggs

Something Fancy

If you have the time, there are some great Paleo Breakfast Ideas that are perfect for an occasional treat. I very rarely use nuts and nut flours, but they are great for special occasions – and especially good for showing your SAD friends just what is possible when you go grain-free:

38. Paleo pancakes with almond meal take a bit more time, but are well worth the effort

39. Or try sweet potato pancakes

40. Waffles can be made with coconut flour or almond meal and served with a berry sauce

41. A Paleo NoOatmeal is far better than the SAD equivalent and can be prepared the night before, and cooked up in the morning

42. Raspberry Crepes made with coconut flour or almond meal served with fresh raspberries & whipped coconut cream – and a pinch of cinnamon

43. Scotch eggs; coat hard-boiled eggs in Paleo Sausage mixture, cover in almond meal and baked – amazing with poached eggs

44. A Paleo platter with a selection of fruits, cold meats, pickles, olives, sun-dried tomatoes & blanched veggies

45. Make bacon baskets using a cake case as a mould and bake eggs in them

46. My salmon burgers

47. Stuffed capsicum (bell peppers) with salmon, mushroom and tomato and top with pine nuts

48. Sliced onion wrapped with smoked salmon on a bed of lettuce

49. Your favourite seafood & veggies

50. Serve scrambled eggs in an orange half

No Eggs!

It’s easy to make every Paleo Breakfast include eggs – and it can be easy to get fed up of eggs! Here are some egg free Paleo Breakfast Ideas:

51. Kippers and dried figs

52. Paleo Sausages and kimchi

53. Pan fried zucchini served with guacamole

54. Stuffed portobello mushrooms

55. Sautéed minced (ground) beef, greens, onions and carrots

56. Sausages with sauerkraut & stir fried veggies

57. Trout with mushrooms and tomato

58. Fry kidneys and serve with broccoli

all without eggs!

Intermittent Fasting for Breakfast?

Since I've been Paleo, I quite often skip breakfast altogether – have you tried skipping breakfast?

Paleo Breakfasts For Kids (and big Kids alike!)

If your family has recently gone Paleo, here are a few suggestions your children and toddlers will love!

59. Egg & roasted vegetable soldiers

60. Make berry muffins with eggs, coconut flour, nuts and berries

61. Raw or blanched veggies served with nut butter, guacamole and salsa dips

Paleo Vegetarian/ Vegan Options

If you still can’t face meat in the morning, how about these ideas? Or you could always try a smoothie!

62. Poached eggs and sweet potato (or even yam) hash browns

63. Sauté some greens, squeeze on some lemon and add an egg

64. Fry eggs in a capsicum (bell pepper) ring or onion ring

65. Steamed broccoli with sweet potatoes

66. Mash up a hard-boiled egg with avocado

67. Try scrambling eggs with mushrooms, onions and a home-made tomato salsa

Fruit Friendly?

It’s common to minimise fruit intake on a Paleo Diet, due to it’s high fructose content. If you're targeting weight loss, it can be a good idea to minimise fruit and nuts. However, if you’re all for fruit, here are some fruity Paleo Breakfast Ideas. Remember berries have a lower fructose content and are loaded with antioxidants.

68. A nice simple fruit salad – served with whipped coconut cream

69. Even easier – a piece of fruit and a few berries

70. Make a warm fruit custard with eggs & coconut milk on the stove, nutmeg, cinnamon, berries a banana and some nuts

71. Chop up a kiwi fruit in coconut cream (or heavy cream if you do dairy too)

72. Wrap cubes of melon in prosciutto

Primal Breakfast Ideas

If your diet is more Primal than Paleo and you include some dairy, here are a few Primal Breakfast ideas for you.

73. Greek yoghurt with nuts, berries and your favourite spices

74. Apple and cheese is a winning combination!

75. Try the paleo cereal suggestions in raw milk instead of coconut

76. Bacon and tomato wrapped in cheese and lettuce wraps

Drinkable Breakfasts

A nice alternative – or something hand to have on the go is a smoothie or shake. There are some good options. Make sure you add in fat, perhaps an avocado or some coconut oil and enjoy your breakfast drink!

77. Green smoothies; try adding in Kale and spinach for a vitamin boast

78. Make an anti-oxidant berry smoothie with coconut milk

79. A veggie juice with coconut milk, carrots, broccoli and celery

80. A banana smoothie made with frozen bananas , coconut milk and almond butter

I hope I've given you some inspiration! If you're after even more, please check out my very own recipe book, the Paleo Breakfast Recipe Book with a recipe to suit every single paleo breakfast situation! I’d love to hear your favourite Paleo Breakfast Ideas in the comments below! What's on your menu?

7-Day Paleo Diet Menu Plan

9 Comments

I've got a friend coming to stay next week, so I've planned a 7-day Paleo Menu Plan to showcase my Paleo diet. It’s all too easy to eat similar meals over and over, so I'm looking forward to a week of lots of variety. I'm going to over-make everything, so I have lots of leftovers to freeze and enjoy again later.

I've just written my first recipe book on Paleo Breakfasts, so will be showcasing some fantastic, but also quick and easy breakfast recipes on my menu plan!

So this is my Menu Plan for my week of Paleo meals:

Day	Breakfast / Brunch	Lunch	Dinner	Snack / Dessert / Drink
Monday	Paleo Salmon Burgers	Blanched veggies with guacamole and nut butter dips	Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs	Macadamia Nuts
Tuesday	NoOatmeal	Big Salad with tuna, eggs, nuts, leaves, tomatoes, olives, avocado, capsicum & EVOO	Lamb-chops, Roasted Parsnips, Onions and Pumpkin	–
Wednesday	Bacon, Eggs and Avocado	Turkey Nori-wraps	Porterhouse Steak, Egg, Mushrooms and Greens	Paleo Ice Cream
Thursday	Egg Muffins	Capsicum ham sandwiches (capsicum “bread”)	Tuna, Asparagus and Cauliflower Rice	Jerky
Friday	Red onion, ham and mushroom omelette	Paleo chilli with zucchini noodles	Paleo Pizza	Strawberries dipped in dark chocolate
Saturday	Paleo Pancakes with Berry Sauce	Chicken Soup with side salad	Barbecue with selection of meats and salads	Glass of red wine
Sunday	Full English Breakfast (eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, sautéed sweet potato, homemade tomato relish, Paleo sausages)	–	Sunday Roast; Roast beef, sweet potatoes, home-made gravy, broccoli and carrots	Coconut Yoghurt

Making the Most of Your Paleo Meal Prep

With a solid weekly plan in place, now is the perfect time to elevate your Paleo experience even further. Meal prepping isn't just for convenience — it’s one of the best ways to stay committed to your goals and make sure no fresh produce or grass-fed meat goes to waste. The key is to cook in bulk when you can and store portions in airtight containers or freeze them for later in the week.

It can be incredibly helpful to label each meal with the date and contents, especially when freezing. If you're short on time midweek, knowing there’s a ready-made Paleo-friendly dinner waiting in your freezer can make all the difference. Soups, stews, chilli, meatballs, and bakes all freeze particularly well and can be reheated with minimal effort.

Smart Shopping for a Paleo Week

Planning your shopping trip around your meal plan helps avoid impulse buys and ensures you’re fully stocked for the week. Before heading to the shops or farmers market, check your pantry and fridge to see what staples you already have. Then, build your shopping list around what’s left.

For this particular 7-day menu, key items to look out for include:

High-quality animal protein like grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken, lamb and wild-caught fish
Fresh vegetables in a range of colours and textures
Healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, and nuts
Fresh herbs and spices for flavour (e.g. turmeric, rosemary, paprika, coriander)
Specialty Paleo items like coconut flour, almond meal, or cauliflower rice, if not making from scratch

Batch Cooking Tips

If you’re preparing meals for the week ahead, you don’t have to cook seven entirely different dishes. Batch cooking is about being smart with your time and ingredients. For example, roasting a large tray of vegetables at the start of the week means you’ve got a handy side dish for several meals. Similarly, slow cooking a big batch of meat or soup can cover multiple lunches or dinners.

Double up on recipes from your menu — for example, cook extra Paleo chilli or soup and freeze half. It’s also a great idea to marinate multiple types of meat at once. Store in separate containers in the fridge, then cook throughout the week for maximum flavour with minimum fuss.

Incorporating Leftovers Creatively

With leftovers from your planned meals, you can mix and match to create entirely new dishes. Leftover roasted pumpkin and lamb can become a warm salad with rocket and a tahini dressing. Paleo pizza from Friday night reheats beautifully for Saturday brunch, especially when topped with an egg. Chicken from your soup can be shredded into wraps, salads, or even turned into a quick stir-fry with vegetables.

Get creative and don't feel boxed in by the original plan — this is where the fun of Paleo cooking really starts. Being flexible and resourceful with your ingredients helps reduce food waste and makes the most of your time and budget.

Stocking a Paleo-Friendly Pantry

While your fridge will likely be full of fresh produce and protein, don’t overlook the importance of a well-stocked pantry. Keep staples on hand so you can whip up quick meals or add extra flavour to your dishes at a moment’s notice. Consider keeping the following items in your Paleo pantry:

Coconut milk (full fat, no additives)
Tinned tomatoes or tomato paste (check ingredients)
Tinned wild fish like salmon or sardines (if tolerated)
Herbal teas and organic coffee alternatives like dandelion root
Coconut aminos or apple cider vinegar
Natural nut butters (no sugar or seed oils)

Eating Out While Sticking to Paleo

Even with the best plans, you might find yourself needing to eat out. Luckily, more restaurants are accommodating dietary preferences, and with a few simple strategies, you can keep things Paleo without the stress.

Look for grilled meats, salads with olive oil and lemon dressing, or dishes that can be easily modified. Skip the bread, fries or creamy sauces unless you're confident in the ingredients. If unsure, don't be afraid to ask your server about the oil used or for simple substitutions. Many places are happy to serve vegetables instead of grains or legumes.

Staying Hydrated Throughout the Week

It's easy to forget hydration when planning meals, but drinking enough water is essential to support digestion and overall health on a Paleo diet. Herbal teas, infused water (think cucumber and mint or lemon and ginger), and bone broth all contribute to hydration and nutrient intake.

Avoid sweetened drinks, fruit juice, and even many “health drinks” that sneak in hidden sugars. A great habit is to start the day with a big glass of water, especially before breakfast. It sets a healthy tone for the rest of the day.

Preparing for Guests on a Paleo Diet

When hosting friends who aren’t Paleo, it’s tempting to stray from your usual food choices to accommodate them. But in most cases, your guests will appreciate your effort and might be curious to try something different.

To keep everyone happy, focus on meals that feel familiar but are made using Paleo ingredients. Think burgers wrapped in lettuce instead of buns, roast dinners without gravy thickened with flour, and dessert made with coconut cream and berries. Serve a few crowd-pleasers — like your Friday night Paleo pizza or Saturday barbecue — and most people won’t even realise they’re eating Paleo.

Reflecting on Your Weekly Plan

Once the week wraps up, it’s worth reflecting on what worked well and what you’d change for next time. Did certain meals take too long to prepare? Were there enough leftovers to get you through busy days? Did any particular dish stand out as a new favourite?

Meal planning isn’t about perfection — it’s about setting yourself up for success and learning as you go. Over time, it becomes second nature, and your weekly plan evolves to match your lifestyle and preferences. Keep a notebook or spreadsheet to jot down ideas for future weeks and adjust your shopping habits accordingly.

Ready to Try It Yourself?

If you haven’t already, why not give this 7-day Paleo menu plan a go yourself? Whether you follow it exactly or use it as inspiration, it’s a great way to bring structure, enjoyment, and variety to your Paleo lifestyle. Let me know your own favourite combinations — and if you have visitors, don’t be surprised if they leave inspired to try Paleo themselves!

What do you think of my proposed Menu Plan? I’d love to hear your favourite Paleo dishes! Do you create a weekly Paleo meal Plan?

21 Paleo Diet Lunch Ideas Primal Paleo Network recipes-min

21 Paleo Lunch Ideas

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I've had a few emails in the last couple of weeks asking for Paleo lunch ideas, so I thought I’d make some suggestions in this blog post. I've also written the “Paleo Lunch Recipe Book“, so take a look if you'd like lots of lunch recipes to brighten up your lunchtimes!

Here are 21 suggestions that you can mix and match to come up with an unlimited variety of Paleo lunches:

1. Make kebabs with your choice of meat and vegetables on sticks. Easy finger food and delicious cold.

2. Take in cold meat and veggies – and pour over a hot bone broth from a thermos just before serving.

3. A big salad with your favourite meat, avocado, eggs, leaves, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Keep the dressing and “crunchy” ingredients separate and mix them together just before you eat. Try extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice or mashed up avocado for the dressing.

4. Olives

5. Lettuce wraps – instead of bread, use lettuce to wrap your sandwich filling

6. Invest in a good thermos/ flask and bring in a hot, ready to eat soup, chilli or stew

7. Bag up last nights leftovers

8. Make up a crustless quiche or fritella

9. Blanch some veggies

10. Make up nori wraps with your favourite meats and vegetables

11. Raw veggies with a almond butter or guacamole dip

12. Breadless sandwiches using cold meat or flat capsicum (bell pepper) for the “bread”

13. Hard boiled eggs

14. An avocado and a spoon

15. Beef – or even kangaroo jerky (make your own to make sure it’s Paleo)

16. Cold cuts of roast meat

17. Mashed sweet potato, pumpkin or parsnip

18. Make a batch of egg muffins with your favourite ingredients

19. Make a trail mix with nuts, shredded coconut and jerky

20. Take in frozen prawns/ shrimps, which should be nicely chilled by the time lunch comes round

21. Or you could take it as an opportunity to Intermittently Fast…

Try buying a bento box with lots of small compartments to encourage lots of variety in your lunch.

Reheat?

If you've got access to a fridge and microwave as a minimum, your options are numerous. You can make batches of stews, soups, Paleo chilli or casseroles, freeze them and simply reheat at lunchtimes. A microwave enables you to reheat last nights leftovers – or even cook a sweet potato.

Buying Lunch

Food courts, café's and restaurants all provide Paleo options, especially where you’re able to make a few substitutions. All day breakfasts are a good choice (think bacon, eggs, avocados or omelettes), roast dinners, salad bars; at a pinch I've even ordered a sandwich – without the bread (but with a few confused looks). The problem with buying lunch is the price – and you can’t always be entirely sure about all of the ingredients.

Emergency Paleo Food Stash

Despite your best intentions, there’s always that day you forget to bring in lunch – or worse still your money – so it makes sense to have an emergency Paleo stash at work. This way when there are no good options around, you can always put together a Paleo snack. Things like tinned mackerel, sardines, salmon and tuna, jars of olives, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and jerky will store for a long time and could be good options.

Brown-Bag Lunches

For a lot of people kitchen facilities aren't available and eating out isn't an option at lunchtime. Which leads to the question, what can you put in a Paleo Packed Lunch? Just because you can’t heat food, definitely doesn't meant you can’t keep it Paleo.

What’s your favourite Paleo lunch? I’d love to hear any tips and Paleo Lunch Ideas that you have – particularly for quick and easy Paleo lunches!

How to Make Paleo Lunches Work for Your Lifestyle

When you're following a Paleo lifestyle, lunch can either be your most empowering meal — or the one that derails your whole day. That's why having a solid list of easy Paleo lunch ideas ready to go is so essential. Whether you’re working from an office in the city, staying home with the kids, or packing meals for uni or a road trip, Paleo lunches can be simple, satisfying, and stress-free.

Make-Ahead Paleo Lunch Prep

The best way to avoid lunchtime decisions that lead to poor food choices? Do the thinking ahead of time. If you’re already prepping dinner, double the recipe and box up leftovers for the next day. Invest in quality storage containers so you always have grab-and-go meals ready in the fridge. Freezer-friendly recipes like beef stew, chicken curry, or cauliflower soup are also great options — just defrost the night before and reheat at work.

Try building your lunch using this formula:

Protein: Chicken thighs, grilled steak, boiled eggs, roast lamb, salmon, sardines
Fat: Avocado, olives, nuts, coconut flakes, Paleo mayo, EVOO-based dressing
Veggies: Raw veggie sticks, salad mix, roasted sweet potato, grilled capsicum, sauerkraut

No-Microwave? No Problem

If you don’t have access to a microwave or stove at lunch, plan meals that taste great cold or at room temperature. Roast vegetable salads with chicken, frittata slices, lettuce-wrapped meats, and cold sweet potato with tahini drizzle can be just as satisfying without heating. You can also make up a cold antipasto box — think cured meat (check ingredients), olives, cherry tomatoes, and pickled veg.

Pro tip: Use a thermal container to keep meals hot until midday. Fill it with boiling water for 5 minutes before adding your hot food, and it’ll stay warm for hours.

Paleo Lunch on the Go (No Kitchen, No Fridge)

If you’re on the road, out in the field, or stuck at your desk all day, don’t let convenience derail your efforts. Stock up on non-perishable Paleo-friendly foods to stash in your bag, car, or drawer. Tinned wild-caught salmon, jerky, pouches of olives, mini nut butters, and coconut chips are great for this. Add a boiled egg and an apple and you've got a surprisingly complete Paleo lunch.

Paleo Lunch Ideas for Kids (or Grownups Who Like Fun Lunches)

Paleo lunches don’t have to be boring or overly serious. Try making Paleo “snack boxes” with a little of everything: boiled eggs, turkey roll-ups, blueberries, roasted pumpkin seeds, cucumber rounds, and coconut yoghurt. It’s satisfying, colourful, and easy to pack in a bento-style lunchbox with little compartments for variety.

Batch Cooking = Lunchtime Freedom

A little weekend prep goes a long way. Set aside an hour on Sunday to roast a tray of chicken thighs, bake a batch of egg muffins, boil a dozen eggs, prep chopped veggie sticks, and make a simple dressing. With these building blocks, you can mix and match for the rest of the week without having to think too hard at 7 a.m.

Quick Paleo Lunch Combos to Keep on Repeat

Grilled salmon + roast pumpkin + spinach + macadamia oil
Chicken breast + smashed avocado + cherry tomatoes + rocket
Hard-boiled eggs + sauerkraut + raw veggie sticks + Brazil nuts
Slow-cooked lamb + mashed cauliflower + steamed broccoli
Leftover steak + fried zucchini ribbons + tomato salsa

Still stuck for ideas? Try combining your leftovers with fresh produce or turning dinner favourites into wraps, salads or bowls. Keep it simple, keep it colourful — and don’t be afraid to repeat meals that work for you.

What are your go-to Paleo lunches? Share your quick wins, meal prep tips, and favourite time-saving recipes in the comments — let’s help each other keep lunch easy, delicious, and fully Paleo.

Paleo lunch ideas suggestions primal diet recipes-min

Paleo Lunch Ideas and Recipes

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Last year I got pretty bad about bringing my Paleo Lunch in from home. This meant, most days, I went to one of the many food courts near my office. Whilst I always went for the Paleo, gluten-free options – roast meat and vegetables or salad for instance, it really wasn't the best option. I'm careful with the ingredients I use and how I cook things. If I make it, I know exactly what’s in it. When I eat out, it’s probably a fair bet that the meat isn’t organic/ free range/ grass fed. The meal could even have been cooked with seed oils – if not it’s likely to have come close to foods that have. Food I buy in the city is always served in far too large portions – this is either a waste of food, or leads to me eating far more than I should! The other issue with buying lunch in the city is the cost – I’d usually end up spending $10 a day on a not completely Paleo Lunch.

I therefore decided to start bringing pre-prepared lunches into work every day. I'm normally really busy during the week, so need minimal effort each day. As good as a salad would be I know I’d run out of time to make it – and end up having to buy lunch. I have a fridge and microwave at work (I don’t even own a microwave at home, but in the absence of a gas stove, a microwave will have to do) – this means home made frozen lunches are a good lunchtime solution.

Last Sunday I had a huge cooking session where I made soup, beef hash and bean-less chilli, giving me a few different options to pick from each day. I used the largest pots I had to ensure I was making as much as possible. Once finished, I separated the dishes out into individual sized potions and froze them. I managed to make enough for 20 lunches in just a couple of hours of cooking. I take lunch out of the freezer in the morning, run to work – and by lunchtime it’s just about defrosted.

Other than microwaving my lunch, the only thing I'm not happy about is freezing the food in plastic bags. Whilst the bags I use contain no phthalates, polycarbonate or use Bisphenol A (BPA) – it’s still plastic. Glass or metal containers would be an option, but might result in freezer burn. I’d also be concerned about my lunch leaking over my suit as I run into work – not to mention the fact my tiny running bag wouldn't have space for a bulky container.

This solution is working well for me – but perhaps you have an even better lunchtime routine? How do you keep your work/ school/ home lunch paleo?

Easy Paleo Lunches That Actually Work

Finding Paleo-friendly lunches that are affordable, portable, and satisfying can be a challenge — especially when you're busy during the week. That’s why bulk cooking and freezing homemade meals is such a game-changer. With just a few hours of prep on the weekend, you can set yourself up for a fortnight of stress-free, clean eating at work or on the go.

Soups, stews, curries, and hash dishes freeze particularly well and tend to reheat nicely, even in an office microwave. If plastic containers worry you, consider reusable silicone pouches or stainless steel bento boxes — many are now leakproof and freezer-safe.

The best part? You know exactly what’s in your food. No sneaky seed oils, no overly large portions, no surprises. Just real, nourishing ingredients that keep you fuelled for the afternoon.

Got your own Paleo lunch routine sorted? Share your tips in the comments — and help make lunchtime easier for the rest of us too!

Paleo Breakfast Ideas

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Breakfast seems to be the meal people struggle with when moving over to a Paleo diet.

The word breakfast may be synonymous with cereal, toast, pancakes and many other refined carbs – but it really doesn't have to be. Breakfast is simply the first meal of the day the “break” the “fast” you've carried out since your last meal the previous day.

I'm thrilled to announce I've just finished my first recipe book; the Paleo Breakfast Recipe book, with over 100 pages of beautifully photographed step-by-step recipes – check it out and let me know what you think! I hope you love it as much as I do.

A Paleo Breakfast?

I think the first step is to remove the association of breakfast with a specific type of meal. Breakfast does not equal cereal, swimming in skim milk. Think of breakfast on its nutritional merits; that is, base your first meal of the day around a good protein source and marry this with a good fat source and some vegetables. You may initially find the idea of having meat for breakfast odd, but it’s worth persevering with this, as good quality meat can be a great way to start the day.

If you don’t have much time in the mornings you need to be organised and prepare as much as you can the night before. I find it helps to plan all of my meals for the whole week in advance, at the weekend. I then buy the ingredients, so I have no excuses and everything I need on hand.A lot of people skip breakfast, which might be the right thing to do. If however your reason for skipping breakfast is that you can’t get out of bed in time to make breakfast – this indicates to me that you need breakfast!

Eggs For Breakfast?

Eggs are an obvious breakfast choice. They are quick, nutritious and very versatile. I often have bacon & eggs, scrambled eggs with avocado or an omelette, with whichever vegetables I have in the fridge. I always cook in coconut oil. Another favourite is making up a batch of egg muffins at the weekend. I make these up as I would an omelette, but pour them into muffin cases and cook in the oven. These last for a few days in the fridge and are perfect for busy days when there isn't enough time to make something from scratch.

I’ll also often cook extra chicken at the weekend which is great to base a breakfast around and doesn't need to be reheated, I think it’s great cold. Chicken and avocado is a great combination.

Leftovers are another great breakfast, once you've got used to the idea of having “non traditional” breakfasts. You can’t get much quicker and easier than that!

Occasionally at weekends I’ll make Paleo pancakes (using coconut or almond meal). This is great served with a berry sauce, made with fresh berries, blended in coconut milk. Noatmeal is another infrequent Paleo indulgence which is a great way to start the day.

Whilst strictly, I guess it is Paleo, I never have just fruit for breakfast. I always base my meal around protein and include fat. To have fruit (carbohydrate) as a meal on its own would be depriving myself of essential fats and proteins, would raise my blood sugar level and I’d very quickly be hungry.

What are your favourite Paleo breakfasts? I’d love to hear, in the comments below.

More Inspiring Paleo Breakfast Ideas to Keep You Full, Energised, and On Track

One of the biggest benefits of switching to a Paleo lifestyle is how it transforms your relationship with food — especially in the morning. Instead of relying on carb-heavy, sugar-laden breakfasts that leave you tired and hungry by 10am, a well-balanced Paleo breakfast sets the tone for a productive, energised day.

If you’re in need of fresh inspiration, here are some more creative Paleo breakfast ideas to add variety, nutrition and flavour to your mornings:

1. Sweet Potato & Sausage Hash

Grate or dice sweet potato and fry it up with chopped onion, garlic, and your favourite preservative-free sausages (or ground pork seasoned with herbs). Add a handful of spinach or kale at the end and top with a poached egg for extra protein and creaminess.

2. Zucchini & Carrot Fritters

Grated zucchini and carrot make a fantastic savoury base. Add almond meal, eggs, and herbs like dill or parsley, then fry in coconut oil until golden. These fritters store well and can be reheated or eaten cold — ideal for busy mornings.

3. Smoked Salmon & Avocado Boats

Half an avocado and fill the hollow with smoked salmon, a sprinkle of capers, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. It’s elegant, nourishing, and completely no-cook.

4. Mini Paleo Breakfast Bowls

Combine roasted pumpkin cubes, wilted spinach, a handful of sautéed mushrooms, and shredded leftover roast lamb or beef. Top with a dollop of homemade Paleo mayo or tahini dressing and a squeeze of lemon.

5. Beef & Veggie Breakfast Meatballs

Make a batch of meatballs with beef mince, grated zucchini, herbs, and egg, then bake and store them in the fridge. Two or three of these make a satisfying protein-rich breakfast, especially when paired with a few cherry tomatoes and a boiled egg.

6. Egg-Free Paleo Breakfasts

If you’re avoiding eggs or just want a break, try a warm breakfast bowl with sautéed greens, leftover roast chicken or pulled pork, avocado, and sauerkraut or fermented veggies for a tangy gut-health boost.

Or go sweet with a chia pudding made from coconut milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and a few berries — prepared the night before so it’s ready to grab and go.

7. Paleo Smoothies (the right way)

Paleo-friendly smoothies can work well for breakfast — as long as they’re balanced. Start with a base of coconut milk or almond milk, add protein (like collagen peptides or leftover cooked egg), a healthy fat (avocado or nut butter), and a low-sugar fruit (berries or green apple). Throw in spinach or kale for an extra nutritional punch.

8. Paleo Breakfast Stir-Fry

Who says stir-fry is just for dinner? Toss together sliced beef, veggies like bok choy, capsicum and mushroom, and stir-fry in coconut aminos and ginger. Serve hot with a side of avocado.

Planning Ahead for Breakfast Success

Success with Paleo breakfasts is all about preparation. Spend a little time on Sunday cooking up breakfast-friendly foods like:

Batches of roast veg (sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots)
Pre-chopped greens and herbs
Boiled eggs
Grilled chicken thighs
Homemade Paleo sauces (mayo, tahini, guacamole)
Pre-mixed spice blends for eggs or meat

Having these components ready in the fridge makes it easy to mix and match your way to a satisfying breakfast in under 10 minutes — even on a weekday.

Final Thoughts: Break the Breakfast Mould

Paleo breakfast doesn’t need to be boring or repetitive — and it certainly doesn’t have to resemble the standard Western idea of “breakfast food.” Whether you’re tucking into leftover lamb, pan-fried greens, egg muffins, or sweet potato hash, a good Paleo breakfast should keep you full, energised, and satisfied for hours.

Have you tried any of these ideas? What’s your go-to Paleo breakfast when you’re in a hurry — or when you have time to enjoy a lazy weekend morning? Share your favourite ideas in the comments below, and let’s keep building the ultimate Paleo breakfast list together.