14 Paleo Dessert Recipes for Your Sweet Tooth - Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What desert is paleo? ›

What desserts can I eat on a paleo diet? Anything made without dairy, grains, legumes, or refined sugar, including cookies, cakes, pies, tarts, bars, puddings, chocolate treats, and fruit desserts.

The paleo diet means sticking to foods our earliest ancestors enjoyed before the advent of farming and processing. Some paleo plans avoid milk products and refined sugar altogether. So, other than grabbing an apple off of a tree, is there any way to treat yourself to a dessert that's paleo-friendly? The answer is yes.

Food cravings are linked to nutrient deficiencies. If you're constantly craving sweets, get more magnesium, chromium, and tryptophan in your diet. These nutrients are found in whole, natural foods, such as broccoli, dried beans, liver, eggs, poultry, legumes, and grains, or you can get them via supplementation.

Many paleo followers wonder if bananas are paleo because of their higher sugar content. They are considered paleo. One medium banana has 113 calories, 2 grams of fiber and 26 grams of carbohydrates. Bananas are an unprocessed, whole food with a good source of potassium.

Peanuts are technically legumes, which are not paleo compliant, and that means peanut butter is off limits for paleo eaters. All other nuts and seeds are fair game, so if nuts and seeds are the only ingredients, snack away!

Both paleo and keto diets have anti-inflammatory properties but work differently in managing inflammation and related health conditions. The paleo diet is better for managing autoimmune diseases, while the keto diet is better for managing diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Over time, people following the diet could see increases in cholesterol, particularly the less healthy cholesterol. This could increase the risk of heart disease. Not getting enough calcium increases the risk of osteoporosis, rickets, and bone fractures.

A general rule of thumb among Paleo dieters is the darker the chocolate, the better. Go for dark chocolate above 70% and even better above 85% cacao content. The more cacao % in a chocolate bar, the less sugar and other ingredients it will contain.

The diet excludes cereal grains, legumes, dairy, processed oils, refined sugar, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and trans fats. Some paleo-friendly foods include lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

Keep fruit handy for when sugar cravings hit. You'll get fiber and nutrients along with some sweetness. And stock up on foods like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, says certified addiction specialist Judy Chambers. "Have them handy so you reach for them instead of reaching for the old [sugary] something."

How do you fix a sweet tooth on a diet? ›

Certain foods and beverages, such as fruit, yogurt, sweet potatoes, and smoothies, may help reduce sugar cravings. Foods that contain whole grains, fiber, and protein may also keep you feeling fuller longer.