• About
    • Meet Joel
    • The IMPOSSIBLE Shirt
  • Speaking
  • Giving

IMPOSSIBLE ®

Push Your Limits | Do Something Impossible

  • Home
  • Impossible List™
  • Blog
    • Archives
  • Gear
  • Apps
    • Running + Fitness Calculators
    • Move Well – Mobility Exercises
    • Cold Shower Therapy
  • Podcast
  • Events
  • 777
You are here: Home / Fitness / My 7 Favorite Paleo Foods

My 7 Favorite Paleo Foods

August 21, 2012 By Joel Runyon 28 Comments

Fitness, is the epitome of the saying “you get out what you put in.”

Your body does what it can with what it has available, but you can’t run off a bad diet. It doesn’t work like that.

If anyone ever tries to tell you you can electro-shock yourself into a six pack or sprinkle fairy dust on your food and lose weight without ever changing your diet, punch them in the nose and then run far, far away. Magical dust and contraptions you bought late one night on QVC aren’t the answer. If you really want to know how to get a six pack, you’ll have to head to the kitchen and change the foods you’re eating.

If you’re not willing to change the way you cook, you’ll never change the way you look.

My preferred framework to make changes to your diet en masse is the paleo diet. Fortunately, eating healthy, doesn’t mean you have to deprive your tastebuds. Real, healthy, paleo food can be delicious .

Here are my 7 absolute favorite paleo foods (plus a few bonuses). Enjoy

Avocado

Table of Contents

  • Avocado
  • Eggs
  • Raspberries
  • Almonds Almonds Almonds
  • Coconut
  • Brocolli
  • Chicken
  • Bonus #1: Paleo Pancakes
  • Bonus #2: Bacon

Avocado

Avocados have a reputation as a “super food.” I’m not sure who categorized it like that, but all i know is that they’re absolutely delicious. While high in calories (so don’t eat 5 of them at once), they’re also packed with healthy fats, which makes them great for those times where you just need an energy boost. In fact, my new favorite breakfast meal is avocado cooked with the next paleo food on the list – eggs

Eggs

Eggs

Eggs are packed with protein and you can eat them anywhere, anytime and anyway you want to.

Hard boil them and take them on the go, cook them over-easy, scrambled, or throw them in a skillet with a bunch of vegetables and meat and make an omelet. You can even microwave them (seriously!). Eggs all the way.

Raspberries

Raspberries

Raspberries are absolutely delicious and unlike a lot of fruit, actually quite low in sugar. Combine that with their sweet and tangy flavoring, they’re one of the best fruit choices you can make and they’re practically addictive. Try and eat just one – I dare you.

Almonds Almonds Almonds

 Almonds are an incredible nut and my favorite portable snack around. Forget chips, candy or anything else. Almonds are where it’s at. Get a bag of them and carry them with you wherever you go. They’ll give you something to knaw on, fill you up and won’t go bad. These are a great road trip food.

Coconut

Coconut

Coconut is such a versatile food. A pseudo-fruit/nut/seed coconuts are high in fat (the good, rare kind with intriguing weight loss benefits) and super-satiating. Coconut meat is great by itself, but the coconut products derived from the fruit also offers a solid paleo alternative to dairy choices.

While coconut water itself is a little sugary, it’s also an incredible recovery and rehydrating drink. In addition to coconut water, there are a ton of other coconut products derived from the fruit, although my favorite to use throughout cooking is coconut oil.

Brocolli

Brocolli

I used to hate brocolli. Hard, crunchy and tasteless with an aftertaste of blah.

Then I learned how to cook it

Simmering brocolli in coconut oil with garlic on top is not only the most delicious way to eat broccoli that you’ll ever experience, but it has the added side effect of making your kitchen smell absolutely amazing. Try it, it might just turn you into a believer in broccoli.

Chicken

Between the amount of chicken and eggs I ate during my six pack challenge, I’m convinced I wiped out the chicken population within 5 miles of my house. Chicken is cheap, delicious and some of the best lean meat you can find. No to mention – it’s incredibly easy to prepare. Simply cut it up, let it marinade and throw it on the grill until it’s got the nice char lines on it.

Grilled chicken is some of the best lean meat you can find. Healthy, delicious and versatile, chicken’s flexibility and adaptablity lends itself to a variety of marinades, running the gamut from sweet to tangy, you can eat it over and over without getting bored.

Bonus #1: Paleo Pancakes

Andy Drish made these for me in Portland and I fell in love – with the pancakes that is. The recipes differ based on who you talk to, but my favorite recipe I’ve tried is paleo pancakes by Mark Sisson. Make them. They’re delciious.

Ingredients include:

  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1 egg
  • 1 HUGE tbsp of almond butter

Mix them up, throw them on a skillet and you’re good to go.

Be careful on the amount of these that you eat (it’s easy to go overboard), but they’re absolutely delicious, and get you that pancake fix (of course if you drown them in syrup, you defeat the point, so either eat them plain or add a little honey if you need to sweeten it a bit)

Bonus #2: Bacon

Bacon!

Bacon.

Need I say more? Eat your heart out.

—-

Impossible Abs comes out September 4th. Sign up Here

photo credit: Rodrigo_Soldon, threelayercake, shawnzam, Sappymoosetree, loco’s photos, Skley

Tweet
Pin19
Share1
20 Shares

Filed Under: Fitness, Nutrition Tagged With: favorite paleo foods, paleo diet, paleo diet food list, paleo food list

About Joel Runyon

I started IMPOSSIBLE to push myself to try to live a life worth writing about by pushing my limits, living an adventure & telling a great story by doing the impossible. You can get free updates in your inbox via your new favorite newsletter, free fitness training tutorials, and see all my businesses at Impossible X and our philanthropic efforts at Impossible.org

Comments

  1. Jamie Alexander says

    August 21, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    My favorite paleo meal, which is great for intermittent fasting because it’s so filling, is a Thai curry.

    Just Chicken, Curry paste, Coconut Cream, Veg, salt/pepper, fish sauce… BOOM! Keeps you full all day.

    Reply
  2. Emmet Buchanan says

    August 21, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    What about all the sugar and nitrates in bacon?!? doesn’t that have an impact when on the paleo plan? I have had a really hard time finding bacon that doesn’t have either or even just one for that matter… is it that the amount of sugar is miniscule and doesn’t matter in the grad scheme of things?

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      August 21, 2012 at 1:31 pm

      That’s actually a good point.

      I used bacon as one of my ‘alternate cheat’ foods, meaning that when I wanted something to indulge in but didn’t want to go off the deep end, I’d pick bacon. It’s sort of the “best of the worst” category I would say (especially if you’re really focused on losing weight), but man is it delicious.

      Reply
    • Marla Sarris says

      August 21, 2012 at 1:46 pm

      Great question Emmet! I would not recommend eating the bacon you find in the regular grocery store, way too many additives and not properly sourced. We buy all of our bacon online. US Wellness Meats makes a nitrite, nitrate, and sugar free bacon that is outstanding! We eat bacon on a regular basis in our house and use it for a good source of protein and healthy fat. Also, side note, I’ve continued to eat it while losing weight without issue. 🙂

      Reply
    • Justin Miller says

      August 21, 2012 at 2:43 pm

      Try US Wellness meats. You can usually get one of the hire quality bacons there. No sugar, nitrate free, and grass fed I believe. I’m wi Joel on this too. It’s sort of the best of the worst. But sure beats a burger from a fast food joint or a candy bar from a vending machine.

      Here’s a food rule of thumb.

      1 ingredient beast
      2 ingredients not bad
      3 ingredients ok
      4 ingredient Donnie Brasco and forgetta bout it.

      Provided you can pronounce those ingredients as well

      Reply
  3. Priya says

    August 21, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    Any vegetarian options/ substitutes?

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      August 21, 2012 at 2:15 pm

      Salmon is amazing (if you do the pescatarian thing).

      Honestly, I write about what I know and I’ve never stepped into the vegetarian realm much so I haven’t had a reason to really dive into vegetarian options although I can look into it as far as protein intake goes. The fruits/vegetable options should all stand stil

      Reply
      • Rita says

        August 21, 2012 at 9:52 pm

        I’ve considered the vegetarian version of Paleo but there isn’t one. It’s a great eating plan for meat eaters. Not so much us veggies.

        And what is the deal with all the bacon?

        Asks the vegetarian.

        (Sorry marla!)

        Reply
        • Joel Runyon says

          August 21, 2012 at 11:23 pm

          Just give it a try…you’ll see what I mean 🙂

          Reply
          • Priya says

            August 22, 2012 at 12:20 am

            Well, if I can’t do the Paleo diet then I’m just going to have to move on to the next thing on my impossible list…which is to live in a house made out of cheese. You know, with a chocolate margarita fountain.

        • Marla Sarris says

          August 22, 2012 at 12:27 am

          haha love it Rita (the comment & the bacon) 😉 It’s just salty goodness, I think you just have to try the non-additive-no-sugar-kind to find out. 🙂

          I’ve got some vegetarian ideas for ya tho: carrot and other soups and ratatouille. If you do eggs a quiche is always good. I do an eggplant based pizza crust, that’s on my site along with some of those recipes I just mentioned and some will be making an appearance in my cookbook.

          We eat lots of salads in an effort to eat lots of veggies. The whole Paleo/Primal eating plan is based on Plants (being the largest in the hierarchy) then Animals, Nuts & Seeds so there are plenty of vegetarian and raw options it’s just the meat & bacon recipes seem to overpower them and get the most attention. 🙂

          Reply
  4. Janet Ouchterlony says

    August 21, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    Another great paleo food is chia. The whole raw ancient super food of the aztecs. I have eaten many different kinds and my personal favourite is Mila. It’s easy to incorporate into your diet and for me, leaves me feeling full and full of energy.

    Reply
  5. Jason Martin says

    August 21, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    Macadamia nuts are one of my favorite paleo snacks…satiating, and packed full of nutrients.

    Also, can’t forget beef jerky for traveling or hiking!

    Reply
  6. DC says

    August 21, 2012 at 8:29 pm

    Don’t forget seeds, nuts (raw, but not cashews or peanuts), dried fruit (raisins, apricots, cherries, dates, etc.) and my favorite…honey (optional, raw unfiltered only).

    Honey from bees, not your boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband ;D

    Reply
  7. Gary Conway says

    August 22, 2012 at 4:58 am

    Great list! Eggs are a winner. Love making frittatas packed with loads of ingredients.

    Reply
  8. Jeremy says

    August 22, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    “Between the amount of chicken and eggs I ate during my six pack challenge, I’m convinced I wiped out the chicken population within 5 miles of my house.”

    🙁

    Reply
  9. Michelle says

    August 22, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    All right already! Let’s have the plan 😉
    Cheers, M.

    Reply
  10. Jamie says

    August 23, 2012 at 6:03 am

    Eggs are awesome and if you think about it, when you eat them you are consuming all the ingredients needed to grow life. When I go on low carb/Keto diets, eggs become the focus point of my day.

    I absolutely love Chicken and Broccoli too. In my opinion the best meat and the best overall vegetable you can buy.

    Reply
  11. Rex says

    August 25, 2012 at 11:22 pm

    Gave the broc a try and thumbs up!

    On the pancakes substitute apple sauce for the banana. Think you’ll find that to be a good variation

    Reply
  12. Laurie Higgins says

    August 26, 2012 at 9:02 pm

    Love them all! Raspberries are my favorites, but I love all berries! Eggs! I have my own chickens so I get my own pastured poultry farm fresh eggs. Love avocados, but haven’t had any in awhile. I’ll have to get some. Broccoli – just planted some in the garden. Coconut and almonds are my faves, too. I often have almonds to hand. Yes, and chicken. Farmers market chicken. The best! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Michael says

    August 28, 2012 at 8:52 am

    Mr Runyon, nice work on this one! I’m liking the almonds, I’ve begun eating them as a snack. And I’ve been meaning to eat more avocado for a while, so this has confirmed it for me 🙂

    Not quite sure i get the bacon part though? We’re allowed to eat it!?

    Reply
  14. Michelle says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Here is my favorite twist.

    Dice 1 Avocado, 1 tomato, 1/4 sweet onion, 2 tbsp cilantro then toss with fresh lime juice and sea salt.

    3 egg Omelette cooked in a bit of coconut oil then smothered with the Avocado Salad. Add side of fresh berries with some crushed almond.

    Awesomely delish!

    Reply
  15. Peter says

    August 28, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    Whatever you decide to eat, be it bacon or veggies, please do your best to buy local. Support your local farmer, eat healthier, and support your local farms!

    Reply
  16. Samantha says

    September 10, 2012 at 3:55 am

    my favourite paleo meal is my breakfast – two eggs (I got nearly 3 dozen organic free range eggs for 20 bucks this weekend at the farmers market, you can taste the difference!), a slice of free range bacon, and mushrooms and spinach with garlic and chilli, all fried up with coconut oil. Makes me happy and full for hours!

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      September 10, 2012 at 2:55 pm

      Coconut oil is FANTASTIC.

      Reply
  17. Matt Cartagena says

    September 11, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    About 2 months ago I started eating 3-4 avocados a day….let’s just say it had the most insane effect on my testosterone and libido (anecdotal). Crazy sex drive, agression, skin breakouts, and shift (good) in well-being. Maybe a combo between the zinc and healthy fats…not sure…but I stopped and I’m getting back into that diet now and will let you know if I replicate the results. Good post.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 30 Pounds In 2 Months: Meet Justin, The First Impossible Abs Success Story | Blog Of Impossible Things says:
    September 11, 2012 at 5:00 pm

    […] 80% of the work would be changing his diet. 20% would be his workouts. He agreed and decided to do it. […]

    Reply
  2. The Ultimate Paleo Guide: Everything You Could Ever Want To Know About The Paleo Diet | Impossible HQ says:
    April 30, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    […] so, while I’ve talked about it here & there and done some video posts on it, I wanted to do more. So, quietly, in the background […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Joel Runyon Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

the-impossible-shirt

Hi, I'm Joel Runyon


I created IMPOSSIBLE to help people push their limits by taking on impossible challenges and living a good story.

Follow @joelrunyon

My I recently finished running 7 ultra marathons on 7 continents and raised nearly $200k for Pencils of Promise. Read more about my story here.

Subscribe & Listen To The Podcast

How To Start A Blog Walkthrough

how-to-start-a-blog-guide
impossible abs

no-excuse-workout

cold-shower-therapy

The 777 Project

777-project

THE IMPOSSIBLE FAMILY

  • IMPOSSIBLE • Blog + HQ
  • IMPOSSIBLE Fitness • Tutorials & Training
  • IMPOSSIBLE Podcast • Podcast
  • IMPOSSIBLE X • Businesses
  • IMPOSSIBLE.org • Giving
  • IMPOSSIBLE Gear • Apparel + Supplements

"How To" Guides

  • How To Start A Blog: The Definitive Guide
  • How To Start A Podcast: The Definitive Guide

Looking For Something?

About The Impossible Shirt

IMPOSSIBLE®

  • Impossible X®
  • Impossible.org
  • Impossible Gear™
  • Impossible Fitness ®
  • Impossible Nutrition ®

RECENT

  • Yes And – The Impossible Take
  • Optimized for What?
  • Bombing Kill Tony At The Mothership
  • Building Calluses
  • New IMPOSSIBLE Gear is Here (End of Winter Drop)

Inspiration

  • An Unexpected Ass Kicking
  • How Bad Do You Want It?
  • The Iron & The Soul
  • The Only 2 Real Excuses Why People Refuse To Take Cold Showers

We Built a School! (2012)

impossible-pop-school

And We Built 7 More! (2017)

777-project

| Copyright © 2023 | Built on Genesis & Hosted By BlueHost | Affiliate Disclosure | An Impossible X Company

IMPOSSIBLE®, the IMPOSSIBLE® logo, IMPOSSIBLE HQ®, IMPOSSIBLE X®, IMPOSSIBLE Nutrition®, and IMPOSSIBLE Fitness® are registered Trademarks of IMPOSSIBLE X LLC.

The IMPOSSIBLE List™, Push Your Limits™, and Cold Shower Therapy™ are trademarks of IMPOSSIBLE X LLC.

Join Our Newsletter!

Stay up to date with our newest podcasts, latest deals and special offers! We announce new content every week so be sure to stay in touch.