One of my favorite things about eating Paleo is that it is so simple.  Stick to meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts, & oils- and you are all set.  (See my Paleo Pyramid here for the basics.)  I do realize that simple can also mean “boring” to some.  We all see tempting recipes with old comfort foods that sound so great.. until you think of the future discomfort you will feel if you eat them!

Next time you’re feeling tempted by an old “comfort food”, try making a health-friendly alternative that you can feel good about, too.  There’s tons of fun options out there to keep you feeling satisfied!  Here are five of my favorite swaps for dairy & grains.

Pasta
Swap it out for veggie noodles!  You can buy a snazzy vegetable spiralizer (see a fancy one here, or a more budget-friendly version here) for a spaghetti shape, or go the poor man’s route like me- and use a vegetable peeler to make thicker ribbons.  Try using sweet potatoes, zucchini, or parsnips.  Also google “spaghetti squash”- it’s baked in the oven then scraped with a fork to make something similar to angel hair pasta.  I love all of these options~ such a great way to get in extra vegetables while fulfilling those pasta cravings.  Top it with my Tomato Basil Meat Sauce & you’ve got a complete meal.

Butter



Avocado oil is a great alternative for butter in savory dishes.  It’s great for sautéing vegetables, cooking seafood, and grilling meats while keeping that smooth buttery flavor.  When I’m baking or cooking dishes with a sweeter flavor profile, coconut oil is my go-to.  It’s also great as a sweet potato topping with a little cinnamon!

Cheese
Nutritional yeast is something I had never heard of until I went Paleo.  It’s a deactivated yeast that you can find in the bulk or baking section of most health food stores, and is also available online (check Vitacost.com!).  It has a great cheesy flavor to it, which makes it great for stirring into soups and sauces, or sprinkling on your favorite dishes for a healthy alternative to cheese.  I love it mixed into my recipe for Cauliflower Biscuits with Bacon & Jalapeño (see that post here).  It’s naturally low in fat & sodium (unlike cheese) and is a complete protein!

Milk

Coconut milk is not just a healthy alternative for dairy milk, it actually tastes way better.  I love how creamy it is with a hint of natural sweetness.  Try adding it to your coffee or blending it into smoothies and milkshakes.  It would also be perfect over my Paleo Granola!

Rice

Cauliflower rice is a great grain alternative to bulk up any dish.  It has a great neutral flavor that you can take in many different directions- cilantro & lime juice is one of my favorites!  Check out my post all about how to shred your cauliflower at home, as well as tips for storing it & a quick and easy recipe here.  You can also take your cauliflower rice & turn it into a delicious pizza crust! (See that post here.)

I hope this was helpful to some of you.  Let me know if there are others you would add to the list!
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