Delicious Paleo Diet Candy and Sweet Treat Options

Understanding the Paleo Diet

The paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet, is a nutritional approach centered around eating whole, unprocessed foods that our early hunter-gatherer ancestors would have consumed during the Paleolithic era. This means focusing on foods like meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and healthy fats while eliminating processed foods, sugar, grains, legumes, dairy and certain vegetable oils.

Foods Encouraged on the Paleo Diet

Here is an overview of the delicious, nutrient-dense foods that are considered paleo-friendly:

• Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, chicken and turkey.
• Fish: Salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and trout.
• Eggs
• Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, onions and more.
• Fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, oranges and more.
• Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds and more.
• Healthy oils: Olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil and nut oils.

Foods Discouraged on the Paleo Diet

Here are some of the foods that should be eliminated on a strict paleo diet:

• Grains: Wheat, barley, rice, oats, corn and products made with grain-based flours.
• Legumes: Beans, lentils, peas and peanuts.
• Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt and butter.
• Refined sugar: Table sugar, high fructose corn syrup, agave nectar and other sweeteners.
• Processed foods: Anything made in a factory with additives and artificial ingredients.
• Certain oils: Soybean, cottonseed, sunflower and canola oils.

Paleo Diet Guidelines for Candy and Sweets

One of the biggest sacrifices on the paleo diet is saying goodbye to sugar-laden treats and desserts. However, just because youre eating the caveman way doesnt mean you have to completely swear off sweets.

There are many delicious paleo candy options and sweet treats that satisfy cravings using natural, nutrient-dense ingredients aligned with the diets food philosophy.

Fruit-Based Paleo Candy

Fruit is natures candy and an easy, nutritious way to add sweetness to the paleo diet. Here are some fruit-based paleo sweets:

• Dried fruit: Unsweetened raisins, apricots, mango, pineapple and banana chips.
• Fruit leathers: Pure fruit pures dehydrated into chewy fruit leathers.
• Frozen grapes or bananas: Natures version of sweet paleo popsicles.
• Apples with almond butter: Sliced apples dipped in smooth, protein-packed almond butter.
• Berries with coconut cream: Mix fresh strawberries, blackberries or raspberries with thick, dairy-free coconut cream.
• CITRUS salt fruit salad: Toss citrus segments in cinnamon and pink Himalayan sea salt for a sweet and salty treat.

Chocolate Paleo Candy

While traditional milk chocolate is off the table, there are still delicious ways to work chocolate into paleo candy making, including:

• Dark chocolate: Choose bars with at least 70% cacao for maximum richness and antioxidants.
• Chocolate-dipped fruit: Strawberries, bananas and oranges dipped in melted dark chocolate make for simple but tasty treats.
• Coconut chocolate haystacks: Mix coconut flakes with nut butter, cocoa powder and a natural sweetener like maple syrup and form into candy clusters.

Nut and Seed Paleo Candy

Nuts and seeds are paleo all-stars, providing protein, healthy fats and minerals. Blend them into sweet nut butters or make candies, such as:

• Nut butter cups: Combine nut butter with a filling like coconut butter or jam sandwiched between squares of very dark chocolate.
• Honey nut bars: Mix honey, chopped nuts and optionally, coconut flakes and cocoa nibs. Shape into bars and allow to set in the fridge or freezer before slicing.
• Spiced pumpkin seeds: Toss pumpkin seeds with cinnamon and maple syrup and roast until crisp for a tasty, protein-packed treat.

No-Bake Paleo Candy

Raw candies are a great option when you want to skip the oven. Try these sweet paleo treats:

• Energy balls: Bind ingredients like nuts, seeds, nut butter, coconut and dried fruit with sticky Medjool dates to make hearty, no-bake energy balls.
• Cookie dough bites: Blend nuts with nut butter, vanilla, cinnamon and shredded coconut for a delicious cookie dough-esque treat without any baking required.
• Trail mix bark: Spread your favorite combination of nuts, seeds and chopped dried fruit onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow to set. Break into candy bar-sized pieces.

Tips for Paleo Candy Making

Here are some tips to create healthy, nourishing candy while sticking to paleo guidelines:

• Use only whole food ingredients paleo is about minimizing processed foods, so opt for fresh or very minimally processed ingredients.
• Focus on fruit, nuts and high-quality dark chocolate these tend to be nutrient-dense ingredients that satisfy cravings.
• Watch added sweeteners sparingly use small amounts of paleo-friendly sweeteners like raw honey, pure maple syrup or coconut sugar.
• Experiment with flavors spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger add warmth, vanilla brings out sweetness, and extracts like almond and peppermint provide tons of flavor possibilities.
• Make candies nut-free if needed sunflower seed butter or seed and coconut mixes work for people with nut allergies.

The paleo diet provides a framework focused on whole, nourishing foods. With a little creativity, you can certainly still enjoy sweet treats that honor paleo principles using wholesome ingredients.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.