Primal superfoods that are part of the Paleo diet are multitaskers that heal the gut, decrease inflammation, and flood your cells with nutrients that are often lacking. In fact, superfoods help heal you on the deepest possible level, from the inside out, which is why many people turn to a Paleo lifestyle in the first place. This healing helps boost your immunity and your energy levels and helps you perform your best.
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Cage-free, organic eggs: Cage-free, organic eggs are filled with vitamins and minerals, including biotin and choline. Biotin turns what you eat into energy, while choline moves cholesterol through your bloodstream.
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Fermented foods: Because your gut has so much to do with your overall health and performance, fermented vegetables can be a great part of your food choices. Fermentation uses beneficial bacteria that are great for gut health. Try kimchi or sauerkraut, or ferment some beets or carrots.
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Full-fat coconut milk: Paleo athletes love full-fat coconut milk because it’s high in saturated fatty acids and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are both easily burned as fuel by the body. Buying full fat is important because the lighter versions are simply the full-fat version watered down.
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Grass-fed meats: Grass-fed beef, bison, lamb and goats have less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. They also have more vitamin E, beta carotene, vitamin C, and a number of health-promoting fats, including omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA.
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Homemade bone broths: Bone broths are flavorful liquids made from boiling animal bones for an extended period of time, often with vegetables or herbs, and then straining out the solids. The resulting broth is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids.
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Meat jerky: After you work out, many times you’re looking to refuel immediately with a snack, and meat jerky is a great choice, as long as you’re sure to purchase meat jerky from the healthiest source you can. Look for free-range, no antibiotics or added hormones, no nitrates, MSG, soy, gluten, or added sugar.
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Organ meats: Organ meats, like kidney, liver, and heart, have a high concentration of fat-soluble vitamins and are one of the best sources of vitamin D. Organ meats also have essential fatty acids, which are great for your brain and the membrane that lines your cell walls.
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Organic berries: Organic berries are low in fructose (which you want to keep on the low side to avoid blood sugar spikes) and high in antioxidants and nutrition, making berries a favorite Paleo fruit.
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Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes take the lead as the number-one recovery food for the Paleo athlete. They give your body the energy you need to refuel and recover.
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Unrefined coconut oil: Suitable for high-heat cooking and a good replacement for butter, unrefined coconut oil has antibacterial, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties that boost your immunity for better performance.
