The Paleo Diet + 5 Paleo Plantain Recipes

March is National Nutrition Month so we’re diving deep into the Paleo diet to see how we can incorporate plantains, our favorite tropical fruit, into the Paleo lifestyle.

What is Paleo?

The Paleo Diet, also referred to as the “caveman diet”, is a nutrient-dense whole foods diet based on what our ancestors used to eat during the Paleolithic era. It focuses on eating non-processed foods, lean and clean proteins, or anything we used to hunt and gather.

By following a whole food-based diet and leading physically active lives, hunter-gatherers presumably had much lower rates of chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The goal behind eating Paleo is to reduce inflammation, increase energy, and stabilize blood sugar in order to reduce the risk of said chronic diseases.

While there is no “right” way to follow a Paleo diet, there are various guidelines in place that can help you achieve the benefits of a Paleo diet. A general rule of thumb when following the Paleo diet is to exercise regularly and to only eat foods that can be “hunted or gathered” so to speak. To get an idea of what type of foods were eaten during Paleolithic era, here is a great resource that has a list of Paleo-friendly foods.

Are Plantains Paleo?

Yes! Plantains are Paleo-friendly. Plantains are a foraging food that prehistoric humans likely had access to as a carbohydrate source, according to Loren Cordain, author of “The Paleo Diet”. They are also rich in fiber and higher in potassium than their close relative, the banana.

Learn more about plantains here: Plantain 101: What is a Plantain?

Paleo Plantain Recipes

1. Spicy Shrimp Tostones with Pico de Gallo Salsa Fresca

2. Tropical Plantain Skewers with Pineapple and Grilled Chicken

3. Plantain Mofongo with a Crispy Pork Topping

4. Bacon-Wrapped Plantains (with optional Bourbon Garlic BBQ Sauce)

5. Hawaiian Toston Platter with Guacamole

Sources:
https://www.luckysmarket.com/article/paleo/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/paleo-diet-meal-plan-and-menu
https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/the-paleo-diet.aspx
https://www.eatingwell.com/article/290612/the-complete-list-of-paleo-diet-foods-what-you-can-and-cannot-eat-on-this-prehistoric-plan/
https://livehealthy.chron.com/plantains-compatible-paleo-diet-10147.html