16 Staple Ingredients For Every Paleo Household

Converting to a Paleo or primal lifestyle means, among other things, you’ll be spending a lot more time cooking. To really be sure you’re getting the best, wholesome meals, it’s best to make them yourself.

We’ve put together this list of the top Paleo staples you’ll need in your cupboards to cook the tastiest meals and keep your body healthy. Once you stock up on these items, we guarantee you won’t be tempted to eat out as often!

1. Coconut oil

This versatile oil tastes great in everything from a stir-fry to a protein shake. It’s thick consistency and tropical flavor makes coconut oil a great ingredient in desserts like mousse and fudge, too!

2. Ghee

Ghee, a clarified butter without the milk solids, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine and Indian cuisine for thousands of years. It’s very high smoke point, concentration of vitamins like A and E and buttery taste make it a healthy and delicious cooking fat.

3. Almond flour

A grain-free lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to baked goods. Just choose a nut-based flour like almond meal, and start experimenting with your favorite recipes.

4.  Cod liver oil

Like many kinds of fish and fish oil, cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.  It’s also rich in vitamins A and D, which has made it so popular in the Paleo community.

5. BPA-free coconut cream

This thick, dreamy cream makes an excellent substitute for whipped cream or half and half in traditional recipes.

6. Yacon syrup

This all-natural sweetener has a very low-glycemic index — making it a great choice for the health-conscious who still want a little sweetness.

7. Raw honey

Raw honey is another excellent way to satisfy a sweet tooth — and because its raw, it has the added health benefit of helping fight allergies.

8. Probiotics

Think of probiotics as your digestion’s little helper. These microorganisms live in your gut, helping your body bolster its digestion and immune system.

9. Cacao powder

Packed with antioxidants, calcium, magnesium and more, cacao powder is a nutritional powerhouse that also happens to be delicious. What’s not to love?

10. Sea salt

Kick up your flavors a notch with a high quality sea salt. With sea salt, you get more flavor per gram, meaning you don’t need as much salt in your food.

11. Maple syrup (Grade A)

This dark, rich maple syrup is another tasty option for adding some sweetness to your cooking.

12. Green powder

Make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamins and minerals by adding a green powder to your smoothies or juices. It’s a simple way to kick your nutrition up a notch.

13. Avocado oil

An up-and-coming oil, avocado oil’s high smoke point makes it perfect for frying or cooking on high heat. Like the avocado, this oil is high in healthy fatty acids.

14. Yerba mate

The caffeinated mate tea made from yerba mate leaves is an excellent energy drink. Some prefer yerba mate to coffee or black tea, as yerba mate doesn’t cause the same jitters or stomach upset as coffee.

15. Almond butter

Nut butters should be a staple in all households, in our humble opinion. Almond butters are a safer choice, as almond allergies are much less common than peanut allergies.

16. Bone broth

Bone broth, a stock made from animal bones, contains a wide variety of nutrients such as  calcium and magnesium. Keep the packaged variety on hand for those times when you don’t have time to simmer a homemade batch.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont