Can you Really Eat Chocolate and Follow a Paleo Diet? | McCormick (2025)

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Can you Really Eat Chocolate and Follow a Paleo Diet? | McCormick? ›

The answer is no, you're not cheating. Turns out it is legit to indulge in chocolate, in moderation, and still be well within the boundaries of following the Paleo diet. There are some caveats, though, because not all chocolate is created equal.

Cocoa, and even chocolate, definitely fit within the bounds of paleo. The tricky part is processed sugars and milk do not. And the majority of commercial chocolate, including micro-batch craft chocolate, contains processed sugars. A general rule of thumb among Paleo dieters is the darker the chocolate, the better.

The answer is yes. Sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, and agave are considered OK in many paleo circles. Chocolate, which comes from the seed of the cacao plant, is accepted by some paleo dieters if it's high in cacao (which reduces the sugar content). Read on for the best paleo desserts you can eat.

Dark chocolate is in fact paleo-friendly. Although, not all chocolate is created equal. Here's what you need to know to find dark chocolate that is just right for the paleo diet. It may be a bit confusing for some when trying to understand what is and isn't allowed on the paleo diet.

Many paleo followers wonder if bananas are paleo because of their higher sugar content. They are considered paleo. One medium banana has 113 calories, 2 grams of fiber and 26 grams of carbohydrates. Bananas are an unprocessed, whole food with a good source of potassium.

Peanuts are technically legumes, which are not paleo compliant, and that means peanut butter is off limits for paleo eaters. All other nuts and seeds are fair game, so if nuts and seeds are the only ingredients, snack away!

While we have said in the past that coffee is not Paleo, we have changed our position based on new research and now we believe that coffee is fine for most people. It boasts numerous health benefits, like longevity, mental performance, and a healthy gut, and it could be beneficial for many.

The paleo diet is based on the general premise that humans should eat the same foods that our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate. The diet excludes cereal grains, legumes, dairy, processed oils, refined sugar, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and trans fats.

Most kale chips use a dehydration process and no oils are used at all. Zucchini and cauliflower chips are other veggies you may see advertised as a grain-free alternative to chips; just scan their ingredient list for refined oils before buying. Another paleo-friendly chip are pork rinds.

Though tortilla chips made with grains like corn or wheat are off-limits when following a paleo diet, some types are suitable for paleo dieters. For example, Siete brand tortilla chips are grain-free and made with paleo-friendly ingredients like cassava, chia seed, and coconut flour.

Is Hershey's cocoa powder paleo? ›

Unsweetened cocoa powder: this is just the cocoa solids. There's none of that delicious and healthy cocoa butter in here, but there's also no other monkey business, so it's a very healthy ingredient to use in recipes or for homemade hot chocolate. Paleo approved!

A paleo diet is an eating plan based on foods humans might have eaten during the Paleolithic Era. The Paleolithic Era dates from around 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. A modern paleo diet includes fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds.

Bacon is one of the ultimately-loved Paleo foods. It is generally prepared from the fatback, the sides, or the belly of the pig. These cuts are then cured using salt, either in a brine (with water) or via dry packing.

Of course, any and all fruits are welcome on the paleo diet including apples, oranges, pears, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and more. And don't forget tubers such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, yams, and so on.

Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup: soft drinks, fruit juices, table sugar, candy, pastries, ice cream, and many others. Grains: bread, pasta, wheat, cereal, spelt, rye, barley, etc. Legumes: beans, lentils, and many more.

Many people on a paleo diet today also include some sources of full-fat dairy, such as butter, cream, yogurt or whole milk. It's ideal if the dairy you eat or drink is from grass-fed cows. People who have dairy allergies or sensitivities don't need to include it in their diet.

A Paleo-diet purist will tell you no, all cheese should be avoided on a Paleo lifestyle. Paleolithic humans didn't milk cows or process dairy. This is one case in which keto diet rules are much more lax than paleo.