Now more than ever, caterers are having to accomodate all diets, from vegan to gluten-free to keto. One diet, which may go under recognized, is the Paleo diet
A paleo diet is a dietary plan based on foods similar to what might have been eaten during the Paleolithic era, which dates from approximately 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. The diet typically includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds—foods that in the past could be obtained by hunting and gathering. A paleo diet limits foods that became common when farming emerged about 10,000 years ago. These foods include dairy products, legumes and grains.
The aim of a paleo diet is to return to a way of eating that's more like what early humans ate. The diet's reasoning is that the human body is genetically mismatched to the modern diet that emerged with farming practices—an idea known as the discordance hypothesis.
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- Lean meats, especially grass-fed animals or wild game
- Fish, especially those rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel and albacore tuna
- Oils from fruits and nuts, such as olive oil or walnut oil
What to avoid
- Grains, such as wheat, oats and barley
- Legumes, such as beans, lentils, peanuts and peas
- Dairy products
- Refined sugar
- Salt
- Potatoes
- Highly processed foods in general
Here's a recipe from Chef Kate Lulloff, with Jones Dairy Farms, who describes her Pork and Bacon Chili as a “hug in a bowl.” It features a host of special ingredients like roll sausage, hickory smoked bacon, sweet potatoes, pumpkin puree, fire roasted tomatoes and cinnamon. This smoky, savory chili is low carb, bean free, dairy free, gluten free and loaded with veggies and spices.
Paleo Pork and Bacon Chili
Yield: 6
Ingredients
1 ea. 12 oz Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Pork Sausage Roll
1 ea. 8 oz package Jones Dairy Farm No Sugar Bacon, diced
1 ea. sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 ea. yellow onion, diced
1 ea. red pepper, diced
1 ea. green pepper, diced
1 ea. yellow pepper, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can pumpkin puree
1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
3 cups chicken or beef broth
2 T smoked paprika
1 T garlic powder
1 T chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 ½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
For garnish: sliced jalapenos, chopped cilantro, avocado, non-dairy sour cream
Method
- Heat a large pot over medium heat, add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally.
- When the bacon has rendered down and is a bit crispy, add minced garlic, sweet potato, onion, and peppers. (Do not remove the bacon fat from the pan.)
- Allow to cook for 6-8 minutes, until veggies begin to soften.
- Add sausage and spices, stir, and cook until sausage is cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce, fire roasted tomatoes, pumpkin puree, and broth.
- Mix well and reduce heat to low. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes (or longer), stirring occasionally, to allow flavors to marry.
- Serve hot, and garnish if desired.
