Nutrition Products Food and Beverages The 8 Best Paleo Snacks of 2022 Treat yourself on the Paleo diet with NICK'S STICKS Beef Snack Sticks By Sam Hayes Sam Hayes Sam Hayes is a Massachusetts-based writer who specializes in lifestyle and health, covering everything from sports psychology books to running shoes. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 27, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Ayana Habtemariam, MSW, RDN, LDN Medically reviewed by Ayana Habtemariam, MSW, RDN, LDN Facebook Ayana Habtemariam, MSW, RDN, LDN, is a registered dietitian, nutrition therapist, certified intuitive eating counselor, and macro social worker. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Snacking is an important part of any eating plan, including the paleo diet. Snacks provide energy in between meals and before workouts and prevent you from getting so hungry that you overeat at your next meal. The best paleo snacks are made with whole ingredients, between 200 to 300 calories, packed with fiber, and low in sodium. Reviewed & Approved Our top pick is NICK'S STICKS BY WENZEL'S FARM 100% Grass-Fed Beef Snack Sticks because they're made from high-quality ingredients and are packed with protein. We also love Jack's Link's Beef Snacks Sticks because they're filling and affordable. It can also be helpful to look for prepackaged snacks, so you don't have to worry about portioning them. Prepacked snacks are also great for taking on the go. We researched various options, considering their ingredients, nutritional value, convenience, labels and certifications, availability, and price. Here are the best paleo snacks. In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Best Overall: NICK'S STICKS BY WENZEL'S FARM 100% Grass-Fed Beef Snack Sticks 4.8 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon We like Nick’s Sticks because they are a simple, cured meat snack packed with nutrients. Each pack comes with two sticks made of 100% grass-fed beef without any antibiotics, gluten, hormones, nitrates, soy, MSG, or sugar—it’s simply the good stuff. Each two-pack of Nick’s Sticks features 120 calories, 10 grams of protein, 9 grams of fat, and 375 milligrams of sodium. Sold in six-packs, Nick’s Sticks are ideal for paleo, keto, and Whole30 diets because they focus on lean meat and not much else. They are also certified gluten-free. They're individually packaged, so you can keep them in your drawer, your glove compartment, or your backpack for when hunger strikes after the gym or in the afternoon. Pack Nutritious Snacks That Hold up Well in the Heat Best Budget: Jack Link's Beef Snack Sticks Courtesy of Target View On Amazon View On Walmart Beef sticks are a popular and easy snack for anyone on a paleo diet, but they can get expensive if you're eating them often. Luckily, Jack Link’s makes tasty beef sticks at a very low cost making it an ideal snack for kids and adults alike. Sold in 10 packs, these sticks are made of 100% beef and packed with nutrients. These beef sticks have 5 grams of protein, 130 calories, 11 grams of fat and 340 milligrams of sodium per stick. These snacks are a great option for athletes and anyone who wants to boost their protein intake. Heads up: these beef snacks include some sugar, salt, and corn syrup, and may include wheat or soy. It's important to note that most nutritionists do not advise a diet high in processed meats, like beef jerky, as they often contain nitrates and are associated with health risks. It is best to keep these caveats in mind for your overall health and enjoy in moderation. The Best Beef Jerky, According to a Dietitian Best for On-The-Go: DANG Keto Toasted Coconut Chips Amazon View On Amazon Not all of the best paleo snacks are meat-based. DANG Toasted Coconut Chips offer a fun and tasty snack that is completely compliant with paleo diets. Made only with coconut and sea salt, this snack is simple and delicious. You can snack on these chips on their own or add them to another meal or snack, such as a salad or fruit. With a serving size of one ounce, DANG toasted coconut chips have 2 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, 1 grams of sugar, 200 calories, and 17 grams of fat. Made with Thai coconuts, these snacks are also free of preservatives, gluten, GMOs, and soy. An added bonus: they're also vegan, so they would be a good option for people who eat a pegan diet. Eat High-Protein and High-Fiber Snacks If You're Always Hungry Best Bar: Caveman Foods Paleo-Friendly Nutrition Bar Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Caveman Foods Nutrition Bars contain only paleo-friendly ingredients, such as almonds, sunflower seeds, cashews, palm oil, cocoa, and salt. Each bar has 220 calories, 15 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of sugar, 5 grams of protein and 20 milligrams of sodium. Caveman bars are aptly named to attract paleo fans, but it’s not just marketing—they’re really a great option. These bars are perfect for outdoor exercise and post-workout snacks, and help meat-hungry paleo followers get a more complete nutritional balance in their diets. The gluten-free bars are sold in 12 packs with flavors such as cherry nut, caramel cashew, cashew almond, almond coconut, and dark chocolate. How to Choose a Healthy Post-Workout Snack Best Non-Meat Snack: Wildway Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-free Granola Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Paleo diets are almost always high in meat, fish, and eggs. However, not everyone wants to snack on jerky. Granola also provides a great boost of protein and nutrients that is paleo-compliant and a tasty snack. Wildway Granola is one of the best options out of all the paleo snacks for its nutrition profile and deliciousness. Wildway Granola contains no wheat, oats, or corn—no filler, all paleo. It comes in a variety of flavors, too, like banana nut, apple cinnamon, coconut cashew, vanilla bean, and ginger. Whichever one you choose, all are made with paleo-friendly ingredients including dates, apples, sunflower seeds, cashews, walnuts, coconut, and pumpkin seeds, among many others. Best Jerky: Krave Jerky Beef Jerky Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Instacart.com Krave offers some of the best jerky out there for snacking. The resealable bag and variety of flavors make this a fun snack for Paleo eating, as well as for road trips. Krave can be healthier than many other snacks and cheaper than many other jerkies. It's made with simple ingredients including beef, cane sugar, spices, and gluten-free soy sauce. Each ounce has a whopping 8 grams of protein with only 90 calories, 380 milligrams of sodium, and 1.5 grams of fat. Best Sweet: Crispy Green Crispy Fruit Freeze-Dried Fruit Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kroger.com These freeze-dried fruit snacks are conveniently portable for a sweet, on-the-go treat that works well for those following a paleo diet. You can enjoy flavors such as apple, pear, tangerine, pineapple, and banana, among others. These snacks are great for paleo eaters as well as kids. Vegan, kosher, gluten-free, dairy-free and non-GMO, the Crispy Green snacks are also free of additives and added sugar. Best Gluten-Free: LÄRABAR Gluten Free Bar Apple Pie Amazon View On Amazon View On Instacart.com Larabars are a popular gluten-free snack that are known for their simple ingredients and delicious flavor combinations. Free of soy, dairy, and GMOs, these bars are an ideal snack for paleo fans. Sold in a variety of packs, you can find more than two dozen flavors of Larabars ranging from classics like chocolate chip to peanut butter and jelly or banana bread. The Best Granola Bars, According to a Dietitian What to Look For in a Paleo Snack Ingredients When looking for snacks for your paleo diet, always look at the list of ingredients. You want to know what’s in your snack before eating. Choose snacks made from whole foods, like beef, chicken, fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, or vegetables, and try to steer clear of snacks made with added sugar. Calories The paleo diet focuses on eating certain types of foods, not calories. However, eating too many calories, even when they fit your meal plan, leads to weight gain. A healthy snack should have about 200 to 300 calories. Fiber You may have a hard time meeting your daily fiber needs when following the high-protein, moderate- to low-carb paleo diet. Fiber helps control hunger and improves bowel health. Look for snacks that provide 20% or more of the daily value for fiber. Sodium Salt is not allowed on the paleo diet, but paleo-approved snacks may be a source of sodium. Select snacks that provide 5% or less of the daily value for sodium. Frequently Asked Questions What is the paleo diet? The paleo diet encourages you to "eat like a caveman,” following the food pattern of humans during the Paleolithic era more than 2 million years ago. Instead of prepackaged, processed food, you eat whole foods you could hunt, fish, or gather. Eating a diet that emphasizes whole foods may help you lose weight, improve health, and reduce your risk of chronic disease. How do I know if the paleo diet is right for me? If you’re thinking of trying the paleo diet to improve health or lose weight, talk to your primary care provider first. They can help you decide if the high-protein, moderate- to low-carb diet is a good fit for your lifestyle and health. Health and nutrition experts consider the paleo diet a fad diet that may be hard to follow long-term because it eliminates two food groups, grains and dairy. Omitting major sources of essential nutrients, like fiber and calcium, may also place you at risk of developing nutritional deficiencies. What can you eat on the paleo diet? Lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, berries, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and some root vegetables like sweet potatoes are the foundational foods for the paleo diet. Eating like a caveman means filling your plate with foods you can hunt, fish, and gather. That means whole foods, not processed foods. Think plain fish filets instead of breaded fish sticks.The paleo diet discourages the use of salt and most types of added sugar; but you’re allowed small amounts of honey. You must also cut out all grains, dairy products, and legumes on the paleo diet. What is the difference between paleo and keto? Nutrition professionals consider the paleo and keto diet fad diets because they eliminate food groups and have strict rules. However, they each take a different approach.On the paleo diet, there’s no need to count calories or measure portions. When following the keto diet, you need to count and track carbs and measure food in order to stay in ketosis, which is when your body burns fat for energy. What are the benefits of the paleo diet? One of the key benefits of the paleo diet is that it encourages you to eat more whole foods, including fruits and vegetables. It also discourages processed foods, which are a major part of the modern diet and a main contributor to weight gain and chronic disease.Researchers investigating the health benefits of the paleo diet have found that eating like a caveman may help with weight control and management of chronic disease. It may also lower blood triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and body fat.However, larger, longer studies on the paleo diet are necessary to prove these health benefits. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get one simple hack every day to make your life healthier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Snacks for adults. Neff RA, Edwards D, Palmer A, Ramsing R, Righter A, Wolfson J. Reducing meat consumption in the USA: a nationally representative survey of attitudes and behaviours. Public Health Nutr. 2018;21(10):1835-1844. doi:10.1017/S1368980017004190 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Smart snacking for adults and teens. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Interactive Nutrition Facts Label. Dietary fiber. de Menezes EVA, Sampaio HAC, Carioca AAF, et al. Influence of Paleolithic diet on anthropometric markers in chronic diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr J. 2019;18(1):41. doi:10.1186/s12937-019-0457-z Wolfram T. Should we eat like our cavemen ancestors?. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. Diet review: Paleo diet for weight loss.