There are many different nicknames for the paleo diet, such as calling it the hunter-gatherer diet, but the principles remain the same, that this is a modern way of eating based on old values and diet.
If you are interested in the idea of living off the land but with a modern twist to suit our current lifestyles, the paleo diet can deliver what you need and want, including some awesome desserts.
Here is a look at why you might want to consider a paleo diet in the first place plus some great recipe ideas that include some surprise ingredients. You probably won’t look at zucchini and avocado in quite the same way again, but you will love the desserts they help to create.
Image Source: Flickr
Positive Influence On Your Health and Well-Being
A paleo diet is mainly about following some nutritional guidelines laid down by our ancestors.
The old hunter-gatherers of our past would eat a diet that consisted of meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seafood. When you combine these main ingredients in a paleo diet, you are increasing your nutrient and vitamin consumption and lowering your body’s glycemic load.
A healthy ratio of saturated-to-unsaturated fatty acids and an optimal balance of carbohydrates, fat and protein are all going to exert a positive influence on your health and well-being.
When you also discover that there are some fantastic paleo sweets to enjoy too, there is every reason to consider that this is a way of eating that could tick all the right boxes for you.
A Real Citrus Hit
Lemon bars are a favorite sweet treat for many of us and you can have a version that meets the paleo requirements.
You will need to make a basic almond-flour crust and then whizz together eggs, honey, coconut flour, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a food processor.
Pour the mixture over previously-made crust and cut into perfect sized bars for a real citrus hit that tastes every bit as good as it sounds.
Chocolate Brownie Dilemma
Image Source: Flickr
You would not be alone if you had a weakness for chocolate brownies and the good news is that you can find a paleo option to satisfy your sweet tooth and feed your chocolate urge.
It might sound like strange combo at first glance but don’t be perturbed by the thought of using zucchini, in fact, what you will get is a bonus serving of vegetables along with a super-moist brownie that doesn’t offer any hint of the green taste that you might have been anticipating.
Another recipe to consider is blueberry espresso brownies.
This is a brownie that delivers a hit of ground coffee which adds real depth of flavor to the brownie, plus the blueberries and pecans in the recipe give this treat a noticeable sweetness and crunchy texture.
Proof that you can have chocolate brownies and keep on track with your paleo diet.
Key Lime CheeseCake With a Difference
When you are experimenting with paleo-friendly desserts you do have to think outside the box at times and try flavors and combinations that you might otherwise not consider as a sweet treat ingredient.
A classic example of this is the avocado key lime cheese cake recipe.
The color of avocado lends itself to the look of a key lime dessert, and if you add the zest of a lime, you get a lightly-whipped paleo option to a popular treat, that is flour, sugar, and dairy-free.
Lots of healthy nuts like pecans, combined with honey and a number of good ingredients all combine to make this a delicious alternative to an old favorite.
Have Your Cake and Eat It
Image Source: Flickr
If you have a sweet tooth it can be hard to resist the calling of a slice of cake, and once again you can find a paleo alternative that offers you the taste and texture you want, but with all the right natural ingredients in place of the sugar and cream.
Have a go at paleo banana upside down cake or a triple chocolate cookie cake, which is a recipe that shows you how you can still enjoy refined enjoyable tastes and stick to paleo principles.
The secret to having your chocolate cake and eating it is in the use of raw cacao nibs and raw cacao powder. Challenge someone to resist or even spot that this is a paleo recipe.
Salted Caramel CheeseCake Bites
There has been a real surge in popularity of salted caramel and if you would like to try a paleo version take a look at salted caramel cheesecake bites.
Zucchini puts in another appearance with this recipe along with cashews and coconut sugar, and you might feel a bit daunted when you first view the reasonably long list of ingredients, but your efforts will be rewarded.
If you don’t want to hold back on the desserts, there is always a paleo option to satisfy your taste buds.
Lily Thorpe discovered the paleo diet a few years back but now thinks of it as a way of life instead of a ‘diet’. She shares some delicious recipes and meal ideas online.
