I am currently running a 14-Day Paleo Challenge at Pura Vida Fitness Club in Denver, Colorado, and I've had a lot of questions about Paleo convenience foods so I've put together this blog to show you what's available at Whole Foods Market. My plan is to publish some additional blogs on Paleo convenience foods that can be purchased online, as well as staple Paleo pantry items, so be on the lookout for those!
What are we looking for when it comes to Paleo convenience foods?
No Refined Sugar (100% Maple Syrup, Honey, Date Sugar + Coconut Sugar ARE Paleo)
No Wheat or Grains (Coconut Flour, Almond Flour + Cassava Flour ARE Paleo)
Only Real, Whole Ingredients (No Additives + No Stabilizers)
No Dairy (Coconut Milk, Cashew Milk, Almond Milk + Other Nut Milks ARE Paleo)
No Industrial Seed or Vegetable Oils (Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil + Palm Oil ARE Paleo)
Paleo also emphasizes the highest quality ingredients, including:
Produce: Organic
Animal Products: Organic + Pasture-Raised + Grass-Fed (for beef products) + Wild (for seafood)
Canned + Jarred + Packaged Foods: Organic
Let's start with ...
Veggies:
Whole Foods Veggie Noodles:
You can find spiralized veggie noodles in the refrigerated produce section of Whole Foods. Just sauté these noodles in avocado oil and add your favorite Paleo sauce (see below)!
Whole Foods Pre-Cut Veggies:
You can find several combinations of pre-cut veggies in the refrigerated produce section of Whole Foods. Sauté or roast these veggies with avocado oil and sea salt for a quick Paleo side dish!
Sauerkraut, Kimchi + Other Fermented Vegetables:
Loaded with good bacteria, fermented vegetables are excellent for gut health and should be part of your daily diet!
Brand: Farmhouse Culture
Farmhouse Culture carries organic sauerkraut + kimchi
Farmhouse Culture Sauerkraut (Garlic Dill Pickle):
Ingredients: Organic Green Cabbage, Organic Cucumbers, Organic Garlic, Organic Dill, Sonoma Sea Salt
Farmhouse Culture Kimchi (Spicy Wakame Ginger):
Ingredients: Organic Napa Cabbage, Organic Daikon Radish, Organic Carrots, Organic Leeks, Sonoma Sea Salt, Organic Ginger, Organic Garlic, Organic Chili Powder, Organic Date Sugar, Organic Wakame
Brand: Ozuke
Ozuke carries organic kimchi + other fermented veggies
Ozuke Kimchi (Napa + Garlic):
Ingredients: Organic Napa Cabbage, Organic Onion, Organic Ginger, Organic Garlic, Organic Chile Powder, Organic Cayenne Pepper, Organic Paprika, Sea Salt
Brand: Wildbrine
Wildbrine carries organic sauerkraut + other fermented veggies
Pickles:
Pickles make a nice snack, and you can add them to a sandwich, burger or salad. My preferred brand is Hee Haw Pickles - they have dill pickles, garlic pickles and even sweet pickles that sweetened with honey!
Brand: Yee Haw Pickle
Ingredients (No Frills Dills): Cucumbers, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Dill
Ingredients (Honey Sweet Stackers): Cucumbers, Water, Vinegar, Honey, Salt, Mustard Seed, Onion, Tumeric
Proteins:
Smoked Salmon:
Smoked Salmon is a great protein option that can be eaten straight out of the packaging (it does not need to be cooked), just make sure that it does not contain sugar
Brand: Whole Catch
Cold Smoked Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon
Ingredients: Sockeye Salmon, Salt, Natural Hardwood Smoke
Canned Salmon + Tuna + Sardines + Anchovies:
Brand: Wild Planet
Sustainably caught and it's superior quality make Wild Planet the best brand on the market for canned salmon, tuna, sardines + anchovies. Their sardines + anchovies also come in several different sauces (marinara, olive oil, etc.)
Here's a recipe for my Homemade Paleo Mayonnaise which is great for making tuna- or salmon-salad!
Paleo Hotdogs:
Brand: Applegate Organics
These are my go-to for camping and BBQ'ing!
Ingredients: Organic Grass-Fed Beef, Water, Contains Less than 2% of the Following: Sea Salt, Organic Spices, Organic Dehydrated Garlic and Onion, Organic Paprika, Celery Powder
Paleo Sausages:
Brand: Applegate Organics
Applegate Organics carries several flavors of sausages that are Paleo-friendly - just check the label to make sure there is no sugar or other non-Paleo ingredients. Remember that processed meats should be eaten in moderation: about 2 to 4 servings per week.
Ingredients (Sweet Italian): Organic Chicken, Organic Turkey, Sodium Lactate (from Beets), Contains Less than 2% of the Following Ingredients: Sea Salt, Organic Spices, Organic Fennel, Organic Garlic
Paleo Bacon:
Brand: Wellshire Farms
Nearly every bacon on the market has sugar in it, EXCEPT this awesome Paleo bacon by Wellshire Farms! You'll be able to recognize it easily with the Paleo labeling!
Ingredients: Pork, Sea Salt, Spices (Black Pepper, Fenugreek, Nutmeg, White Pepper, Mace, Allspice)
Jerky:
Paleo Jerky is a great high-protein snack option, and something I always take with me when I travel
Brand: Epic
Epic has some really delicious jerkys, "meat bars," and even bacon bits that you can add to your salad or other Paleo dishes! Make sure to read the labels as some of their products do contain sugar
Ingredients (Uncured Bacon Jerky): Uncured Bacon (no nitrates or nitrites added) (Pork, Sea Salt, Vinegar, Celery Powder), Natural Pork
Brand: The New Primal
My other favorite brand for Paleo jerky is The New Primal. It's very moist + flavorful!
Ingredients (Spicy Grass-Fed Beef Jerky): Grass-Fed + Grass-Finished Beef, Pineapple Juice, Coconut Aminos, Honey, Lemon Juice, Apple Cider Vinegar, Jalapeño Peppers, Cayenne, Smoked Sea Salt, Garlic, Onion, White Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Ginger, Black Pepper
Lunch Meat:
Lunch meat is one of those foods that invariably contains sugar, stabilizers and even wheat (!!), but Whole Foods carries several brands that are clean!
Try out this recipe for a great grab-and-go lunch option: Collard Green Sandwich Wraps
Brand: Diestel Ranch
Some of their lunch meats contain sugar, so be sure to read labels!
Ingredients (Fresh Roasted Turkey Breast): Organic Turkey Breast
Brand: 365
Whole Foods' in-house lunch meat is pretty clean, but check labels for sugar!
Ingredients (Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast): Organic Turkey Breast, Water, Organic Distilled White Vinegar, Sea Salt, Organic Honey
Brand: Applegate Organics
Applegate Organics has several clean lunch meats, but read labels for sugar and stabilizers (carrageenan)
Ingredients (Organic Roast Beef): Organic Beef, Water, Contains Less Than 2% of the Following: Salt, Organic Pepper
Healthy Fats:
Nut Butters:
Nut Butter can make a great snack, especially when paired with fruit or veggies, but because it's so calorically dense (and so easy to overeat!!), limit yourself to 1-2 TBSP per day. Also make sure you read labels, because a lot of nut butters will contain added sugar
Brand: Whole Foods
Whole Foods has these very cool "make it yourself" almond butter machines!
Ingredients: Dry Roasted Unsalted Almonds
Brand: Artisana
Artisana has some of the best nut butter on the market with a lot of variety (Almond Butter, Walnut Butter, Cashew Butter, etc.) and they even have individual serving size packets that are great for traveling!
Ingredients (Raw Almond Butter): Organic Raw Almonds
Brand: Life of Riley
This is artisan nut butter at it's best - I love this brand! They have more traditional nut butter flavors, as well as delicious blends!
Ingredients (Almond Butter): Roasted Organic Almonds, Organic Flaxseed, Almond Oil, Sea Salt
Nut Milks:
You definitely want to avoid the boxed nut milks as they have way too many additives/stabilizers. Luckily, Whole Foods carries a couple of clean, Paleo-Friendly nut milks that can be found in their refrigerated section!
Brand: Forager
This Cashew Milk is as clean as it gets and they even have a chocolate flavor!
Ingredients (Original): Cashew Milk (Filtered Water, Cashews), Dates, Cassava Root, Salt
Fruits:
Dried + Freeze-Dried Fruits:
You can find many brands for dried + freeze-dried that only contain fruit (it's best to avoid dried fruit that's made with oil, and you definitely don't need added sugar)
Brand: Just Tomatoes
Just Tomatoes has several types of organic freeze-dried fruit (Peaches, Bananas, Mangoes, Blueberries, etc.)
Just Tomatoes (Organic Just Bananas)
Ingredients: Freeze-Dried Organic Bananas
Brand: Made in Nature
Made in Nature has several types of organic dried fruit, in including pineapple + plums
Made in Nature (Pineapple)
Ingredients: Organic Dried Pineapple
Brand: Fruit Bliss
Organic Dried Apricots + Other Dried Fruits
Brand: Steve's Paleo Goods
Organic Dried Cranberries + Organic Dried Mangos + Other Dried Fruit
Brand: Nature's All
Organic Dried Bananas + Strawberries
Apple Sauce + Fruit Blends:
These make great on-the-go snacks for quick energy!
Brand: 365
Ingredients: Organic Apples
Brand: Mama Chia (Strawberry Banana)
Ingredients: Hydrated Organic Chia Seeds (Water, Organic Chia Seeds), Organic Banana Puree, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Strawberry Puree, Organic Beet Puree, Organic Natural Strawberry Flavor, Organic Berry Flavor, Citric Acid
Salad Dressings + Condiments:
Salad Dressings:
Brand: Tessemae's
Tessemae's carries great Paleo-friendly salad dressing and sauces
(just make sure you read the labels as some of the salad dressings have soy in them)
Tessemae's Balsamic Salad Dressing:
Ingredients: Olive Oil, Organic Balsamic Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Garlic, Mustard (Water, Mustard Seed, Vinegar, Salt, Spices), Sea Salt
Tessemae's Zesty Ranch Salad Dressing:
Ingredients: Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Spices, Garlic, Organic Mustard (Organic Vinegar, Water, Organic Mustard Seed, Salt, Organic Tumeric, Organic Spices), Sea Salt
Condiments:
Paleo condiments are easy to make, but these are great to have around when you're short on time!
Paleo condiments are easy to make, but these are great to have around when you're short on time!
Tessemae's Honey Mustard Sauce:
Ingredients: Mustard (Water, Mustard Seed, Vinegar, Salt, Spices), Organic Honey
Tessemae's BBQ Sauce:
Ingredients: Date Puree (Water, Organic Dates, Lemon Juice), Tomato Puree (Tomatoes, Salt), Organic Balsamic Vinegar, Filtered Water, Mustard (Water, Mustard Seed, Vinegar, Salt, Spices), Sea Salt, Organic Coconut Aminos, Spices, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder
Tessemae's Ketchup:
Ingredients: Tomato Puree (Tomatoes, Salt), Date Puree (Water, Organic Dates, Lemon Juice), Filtered Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Salt, Lemon Juice, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder
Tessemae's Mayonnaise:
Ingredients: Olive Oil, Cage-Free Eggs, Organic Mustard (Organic Mustard Seed, Salt, Organic Tumeric, Organic Spices), Apple Cider Vinegar, Distilled Vinegar, Sea Salt, Lemon Juice
Brand: Coconut Secrets
Coconut Secret has some amazing stir fry sauces that are Paleo-Friendly (made from coconut)!
Coconut Aminos is the perfect soy-free replacement for soy sauce - you can add to a veggie + protein stir-fry for some great flavor, or take it with you in a small container when you go out to sushi!
Ingredients (Coconut Aminos): Organic Coconut Tree Sap, Sea Salt
Coconut Secret Garlic Sauce!
Ingredients: Organic Coconut Sap, Organic Garlic, Sea Salt, Organic Ginger, Organic Cayenne Pepper
Coconut Secret Teriyaki Sauce!
Brand: Primal Kitchen
This is the perfect store-bought Paleo Mayonnaise, made by Primal Kitchen which is Mark Sisson's new company
Ingredients: Avocado Oil, Cage-Free Eggs, Organic Egg Yolks, Organic Vinegar, Sea Salt, Rosemary Extract
Brand: Steve's Paleo Goods
Steve's Paleo Goods carries some great Paleo condiments, including Ketchup, Peach BBQ Sauce, Maple Mustard, Steak Sauce, Ginger Cilantro + Sriracha Sauce!
Brand: Cucina Antica
Cucina Antica carries delicious tomato sauces that are sugar-free! Try out their Marinara Sauces, Pizza Sauce, La Vodka Sauce, Arrabbiata, or Puttanesca! For a quick meal, pour these sauces over sautéed veggie noodles or Paleo pasta (see below)!
Ingredients (Tomato Basil Marinara): Imported Italian San Marzano Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Fresh Onions, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Basil, White Pepper, Black Pepper
Crackers + Chips:
Plantain Chips
These are my absolute favorites, and because they are made with Palm Oil, they are 100% Paleo! Try dipping these with fresh guacamole!
Ingredients (Sweet Plantain Chips): Ripe + Sweet Plantains, Palm Oil
Kale Chips
Brand: Kale Krunch
There are a lot of Kale Chips on the market and this is definitely a good brand that has Paleo-friendly options. But be sure to read the labels because some flavors have soy in them!
Ingredients (Cheezy Chipotle): Organic Kale, Red Bell Peppers, Organic Cashes, Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic Lemon Juice, Nutritional Yeast, Organic Chia Seeds, Smoked Salt, Organic Coconut Palm Sugar, Organic Chipotle, Organic Paprika
Cracker Cookies
Brand: Foodie Fuel
Foodie Fuel has several flavors of sweet Paleo crackers: Cinnamon Ginger, Coconut Vanilla, Butter Toffee + Swiss Chocolate!
Ingredients (Cinnamon Ginger): Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Almonds, Organic Flaxseeds, Chia Seeds (Pesticide-Free), Organic Mesquite Powder, Organic Cinnamon Powder, Sea Salt, Organic Flavors
Brand: Go Raw
Go Raw has both sweet + savory Paleo-friendly crackers. My favorite flavor is the carrot cake cracker cookies!
Ingredients (Carrot Cake): Coconut (Unsulphured), Sprouted Sesame Seeds, Carrots, Dates, Nutmeg
Cookies + Granola + Energy Bars:
Cookies
Brand: Coco-Roons
These Paleo cookies definitely hit the spot when I have a sweet craving!
Ingredients (Vanilla Maple): Dried, Unsweetened Coconut, Almond Flour, Unfiltered Maple Syrup, Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil, Vanilla Extract, Himalayan Crystal Salt
Granola
Brand: Steve's Paleo Goods
Steve's Paleo Goods carries some great grain-free granola, and they even have a nut-free variety! They sell it in larger bags as well as small pouches for traveling!
Ingredients (Cinnamon): Raw Almonds, Shredded Coconut, Raw Pumpkin Seeds, Raw Walnuts, Raw Pecans, Raw Sunflower Seeds, Coconut Oil, Honey, Cinnamon
Granola Pouches: Chocolate Pineapple; Tropical; Original; Bacon, Eggs + Coffee; Pumpkin; Dark Chocolate Espresso
Brand: Wholly Bites
Another Grain-Free Granola to try, with flavors like: Ginger Snap Clusters, Apricot Pecan Clusters + Cacao Nibs Clusters
Ingredients (Ginger Snap Clusters): Organic Coconut Flakes, Organic Dates, Honey, Pecans, Coconut Oil, Pumpkin Seeds, Cashews, Organic Flax Seed, Vanilla Extract, Ginger, Cinnamon, Sea Salt, Nutmeg, Clove
Energy Bars
Brand: WB Kitchen
I first sampled these bars at the Paleo(fx) Conference in Austin, Texas last year. They are really tasty - definitely one of my favorite energy bars out there! (FYI: it looks like they're going to be changing their labeling soon to "Ona")
My favorite flavor is Honey Nut!
Ingredients (Honey Nut): Raw, Unfiltered Honey, Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, Pecans, Shredded Coconut, Coconut Milk, Coconut Oil, Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt, Cinnamon
Specialty Paleo Items:
Pancakes!
Brand: Birch Benders
These are my husband's go to treat when he's feeling lazy! You literally just add water to make the batter and fry them up in just minutes!
Ingredients: Cassava Flour, Organic Coconut Flour, Almond Flour, Eggs, Leavening, Salt, Monk Fruit, Spice.
Just add water!
Pasta!
Brand: Cappello's
Paleo pasta - what?! That's right! You pasta lovers are in for a real treat! Cappello's can be found on the frozen food section, where they carry Gnocchi, Fettuccine + Lasagna Sheets!
TV Dinners!
Brand: Noble Savage/Grandcestors
Paleo TV Dinners are pretty awesome! I found these in both the frozen section as well and the refrigerated section of Whole Foods. I have it on good authority that "Not Yer Momma's Meatloaf" is delicious!
Brand: Just Add Eggs
This frozen food section find was pretty exciting for me - pre-cut and seasoned veggies that you can store in your freezer until you are ready to cook them! Just toss the in a pan with oil until they're cooked through and add eggs!
Ingredients (Rocky Mountain Skillet): Sweet Potatoes, Bell Peppers, Onions, Kale, Thyme, Oregano, Rosemary
Paleo Wraps
Brand: Paleo Wraps
I haven't tried these, but it seems like you could make some pretty cool dishes (like maybe some spring rolls?! Yum!)
Ingredients: Coconut Meat, Water, Unrefined Coconut Oil
Paleo Yogurt
Last, but not least, I found some Paleo yogurt options for my dairy people out there!
Brand: Co Yo
Not all coconut based yogurts are clean (adding sugar and other additives), but I was pretty happy with this one!
Ingredients (Mango): Coconut Cream, Mango (Mango Puree Concentrate, Water, Natural Flavor, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Sodium Citrate), Stevia, Tapioca, Pectin, and Probiotic Cultures
Ingredients (Chocolate): Coconut Cream, Chocolate (Organic Raw Cacao, Apple Juice Concentrate), Stevia, Tapioca, Pectin, and Probiotic Cultures
Brand: Chia Pod
This is probably more like a pudding than a yogurt, but if you like that cold, creamy texture of yogurt this will probably do the trick!
Ingredients (Mango): Chia Seeds, Coconut + Real Mango
Ingredients (Coffee Bean): Chia See Gel (Chia Seeds, Water), Coconut Milk, Cold Brew Coffee, Coconut Palm Sugar, Camu Camu Powder
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