Paleo snacking ideas to keep you energised throughout the day

The paleo lifestyle is all about getting back to basics with food and eating the kinds of things our ancestors would have snacked on. This means consuming plenty of whole foods – no additives, no colouring, no added sugar. Just simple lean protein, vegetables, nuts, seeds and natural fats.

It’s a great way to eat, giving you plenty of energy and helping to maintain your figure. However, it can be tough to find quick and convenient paleo snack options that taste great too.

Let’s take a look at some delicious, portable options that can help you stay on track with your diet plan.

Why paleo snacks can really make a difference

Snacking can be the downfall of every diet plan. The temptation of crisps, chocolate or biscuits often creeps in when you’re short on time or lacking energy. But paleo snacks can help to solve these problems for you without the weight gain or sugar crashes.

Easy paleo snack ideas to eat on-the-go

Here are some firm favourites that will easily fit into your paleo diet framework:

• Nuts and seeds – try almonds, walnuts and pumpkins seeds. They’re all packed with nutrients and totally portable to fit in with a busy lifestyle.
• Pork snacks – high in protein, flash-fried in its own fat, the puffed-up pork crunch is naturally satisfying and delicious. The snacks are perfect for the post-workout energy boost to help you stave off your hunger.
• Fresh fruit – just like our ancestors, fresh fruit should be part of our diets. The natural sweetness will fulfil your need for sugar but without piling in the refined sugar which will undoubtedly lead to a crash.
• Vegetables and nut butter – vegetable sticks such as celery, carrot or cucumber can be paired easily with nut butters, such as cashew butter or almond butter. These create a nice textural pairing and can ease off some of the bland flavours of raw veg.
• Roasted seaweed sheets – a savoury, low-carb snack packed with fibre, vitamin B12 and magnesium. Their light texture and individual packaging make them easy to carry around and can help with some of those salt cravings.
• Hard boiled eggs – simple, affordable and absolutely packed to the brim with protein. Eggs are one of the great staples of our ancestors – and for good reason.

How to balance a paleo diet

A good paleo snack should help to balance your protein, fibre and healthy fats while delivering the energy boost you need to keep you going throughout the day.

This steady release of energy avoids crashing and low mood, giving you the power to tackle any challenge without added weight gain and bloating.

Adding a few paleo snacks together can even create a great lunch that will satisfy you for hours. Try wrapping your crispy seaweed thins around some vegetables with a nut butter dip. Or perhaps some biltong or pork crunch with a boiled egg will do it for you.

Watch out for packaged ‘paleo-friendly’ snacks

Not all products that are labelled as ‘paleo’ are as clean and healthy as they might first appear. Some cereal bars with nut mixes or trail mix might show that they’re ‘paleo-friendly’ on the packaging, but they also contain products that don’t quite align with the lifestyle.

Lots of pre-packaged ingredients contain refined oils, added sweeteners and preservatives, delivering much more than you bargained for.

When you’re checking out the label, look for coconut oil, avocado oil and olive oil. These are the ones you want. Vegetable oil or palm oil are no-go areas. Also avoid long lists of E-numbers and flavour enhancers. If the flavour needs to be enhanced, then it’s not natural.

If protein is on your shopping list, avoid whey protein or proteins sourced from dairy products. Look out for nut, seed or egg white protein. It’s much cleaner, healthier and avoids that bloated feeling.

By taking a look at the label, you can make sure your snack is genuinely aligned with your paleo principles and not just set up as a clever marketing ploy. If you’d like to understand the info on food packaging in more detail, take a look at our blog on How to read snack labels and make smarter choices.

When to give in to your paleo cravings

The paleo diet isn’t just about constant grazing – although it’s tempting. It’s about eating when you’re genuinely hungry to support your energy levels. If you’re in the middle of a busy workday, or mid-hike up a mountain and you feel your energy waning, now is the time to indulge.

Choosing whole food options like paleo snacks will help you to avoid empty calories and blood sugar spike to replace with genuine, slow-burning energy to get you through the day.

Are you sold on paleo snacking? Tell us about your favourite whole food snack choices on social and tag @morishsnacks – we’re keen to hear from you 😍!