Primal Substitutes for Non-Primal Foods
It’s perhaps the most commonly asked question, both here in the forums and around the Primal/paleo blogosphere: what about bread/rice/grains/mashed potatoes/fish-and-chips/sweets? That is, what Primal foods can I eat that will satisfy my nascent urges for conventional “comfort foods”? In a perfect fat-adapted world, these urges would be non-existent. We would all be sated on nothing but meat, fat, vegetables, and a bit of fruit, and on a normal day I would stress the importance of desiring truly Primal foods rather than Primal approximations of high-carb, conventional fare.
Today isn’t a normal day, though. We’re in the middle of a particularly intensive Health Challenge, one that centers around making small (but doable) positive changes. For all our new members, finding alternate low-carb versions of the classic high-carb foods can be just the ticket to maintaining their personal health commitments under duress – and for that reason, I rounded up every low-carb food alternative source I could find. Strict PB pros and Primal stalwarts, forgive me, but I’m doing it for everyone’s collective good. Consider this my 80/20 moment. (wink)
Breads/Muffins/Cakes
Coconut Flour Rolls (Thanks, Tim!)
Medicine Woman’s Roots: Golden Flax Bread
Oopsie Rolls (Gluten-Free Buns)
Low-Carb Meatloaf (Hey, it’s technically in loaf form. Thanks, Richard!)
Chips and Crackers
Sweet Potato Chips with Cinnamon
Pizza
Son of Grok’s Famous Pizza Crust
Eggplant Pizza (scroll down a bit)
Paleo Pizza (Thanks, Scott!)
Rice
Cauliflower Rice Pilaf (Thanks, maba!)
Cauliflower Pesto Rice (Thanks, Elizabeth!)
Pasta
Spaghetti Squash and Meat Sauce
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Cauliflower (Steam, then into the food processor with salt, butter, and pepper – super easy)
Dairy
Coconut milk (Smoothie)
Flours
Breaded Fried Stuff
Coconut Chicken Fingers with Spicy Fruit Chutney
Coconut Encrusted Chicken Salad
Almond and Parmesan Baked Tilapia
Thickeners
Pancakes
New Almond Meal Pancake Variant
Snacks
Primal Alternatives to Non-Primal Snacks
Desserts
Low-Carb Dessert Recipes (Almond Macaroons, Fruit and Nut Crumble etc.)
Whew. That should about do it. Thanks to everyone who graciously made their recipes available online, and thanks to the entire Primal community. We’re well over half way through the challenge – no more faltering! If you need it, consider this low-carb roundup an instant support system for those times of weakness. Oh, and let me know if I missed anything.
Grok on!
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
I had a look at the “Spaghetti” with meat sauce – yummy. I haven’t been able to find spaghetti marrow here in Australia in recent years. My Mum used to use it twenty plus years ago but for some reason it just faded away.
Finely julienned zucchini sauteed with garlic and olive oil works well as a tasty spaghetti substitute.
See my recipe here – http://www.slimhealthymama.com/healthy-eating/easing-your-way-into-low-carb-living
Ooops, meant this link here – http://www.slimhealthymama.com/healthy-eating/low-carb-spaghetti-bolognaise-no-pasta
Hey Mark, some of these links don’t work anymore due to site deletions.
I want Pumpkin Loaf!
I have been on a primal diet for 3-4 weeks.
Lost weight, feel better, etc.
My favorite appliance is a food dehydrator.
From making jerky to drying fruit and veggies, this is a must!
I am looking for a good reliable source of goats or mother milk as well.
What about quinoa? I’ve heard it’s a seed then I’ve heard it’s a grain. Is it primal? If so, any good recipes out there?
What about quinoa?
My question is not about comfort foods; but if you’re making a spicy, saucy dish, what do you eat it with? Indian food, for example. Peruvian food is very similar. They usually serve their spicy meat-and-vegetables with BOTH rice and potatoes. Help?
Go with the cauliflower! You can rice it, or mash it, depending on whether you’re going for the rice or the potato texture! I go through a couple heads a week now, it goes with everything!