What Nut Butters Are Paleo? (2024)

FAQs

What Nut Butters Are Paleo? ›

The short answer is yes. Nut butters made from cashews, macadamias, hazelnuts, and almonds are all Paleo, but there's a stipulation: they must only contain nuts. If additives, preservatives, or flavorings are included on the label, it isn't Paleo.

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!

Coconut butter is a tasty alternative if you can't or choose not to eat tree nuts. Macadamia nut butter is interesting because macadamias have the best fatty acid profile of any nuts.

"Of all the nut butters, walnut butter has the most omega-3 fatty acids," Andrea says. The healthful fat ratio helps lower LDL cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol, and reduce inflammation.

Nuts and seeds such as macadamia nuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds play an important role on the paleo diet. As do healthy fats and oils from fruits or nuts (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil coconut oil, walnut oil, etc.).

The short answer is yes. Nut butters made from cashews, macadamias, hazelnuts, and almonds are all Paleo, but there's a stipulation: they must only contain nuts. If additives, preservatives, or flavorings are included on the label, it isn't Paleo.

Strict paleo adherents may avoid it due to its dairy origin. However, many who follow a more relaxed paleo meal plan, sometimes referred to as “primal,” may include grass-fed butter or ghee in moderation.

Avoid nut butters with added sweeteners such as sugar, corn syrup or molasses. Avoid nut butters with added oils such as hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Walnut butter: Of all the nut butters on the shelf, walnut butter contains the highest level of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The healthful nutrient profile can help keep cholesterol levels in check and reduce inflammation. The trade-off: at 5 grams, walnut butter is lower in protein than most other nut butters.

High in ALA, walnuts have the highest omega-3 content, and researchers studying their effects have found they lower C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and arthritis.

Is Greek yogurt paleo? ›

A strict paleo diet does not allow dairy products because hunter-gatherers did not milk cows. This includes milk, butter, yogurt, sour cream and cheese.

Yes — sweet potatoes are generally considered a paleo-approved food, however, some paleo dieters prefer to limit their consumption to avoid consuming too many carbohydrates that spike their blood sugar levels.

By definition, peanuts are legumes (not nuts) and not Paleo because they are unhealthy to eat. Because of the anti-nutrient properties, cutting peanuts out of your diet is likely your best bet, especially if you struggle with digestive problems, an inflammatory or autoimmune condition.

Popcorn is technically not considered paleo since it's a whole grain. However, most paleo experts agree that it's not a horrible snack to have in moderation, especially when it's prepared fresh and cooked in a healthy fat like coconut oil.

If you're eating any nuts more often than as the occasional garnish, it may be too much. Because all nuts and seeds are high in inflammatory Omega 6s, and low in Omega 3s, they should be considered more of a garnish, rather than a go-to source of daily fat intake.