In 2013, “paleo” was the most searched term related to diets. This simplified way of eating has been growing in popularity for the past decade to become one of the most popular diets in America. Paleo is especially popular with people who want to clean up their diets, as it removes all processed foods, refined sugars, dairy and grains.
If a diet that focuses on lean meats and seafood with plenty of fruits and vegetables is something you find intriguing, then paleo might be for you. And whether you’re a beginner readying to dive into a new way of eating, or even a practiced paleo pro, it’s easy to get some meal inspiration from a beautiful cookbook. In particular, the Practical Paleo book is a must-have volume for anyone following this particular eating lifestyle.
What to know before you buy a paleo cookbook
Are other dietary concerns involved?
In addition to paleo, you may have other dietary preferences or restrictions that you’d like your cookbook to cover. For example, some paleo cookbooks also cater to those following an autoimmune protocol, suffering from GERD or dealing with any number of other health issues.
The way you want to cook
Those who like to make dinner as quickly as possible will want to opt for a cookbook that prioritizes fast, easy recipes with minimal ingredients. Other cues to look for include cookbooks for one-pot meals or books that help set you up for paleo meal prep. Pro tip: To make things easier while you’re in the kitchen, consider using a cookbook stand so you can keep your hands focused on the food.
Paleo cookbook features
Recipe variety
While many cookbooks include recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, some offer more variety than others. And those wanting ideas for one specific meal type — say, desserts or maybe sheet-pan dinners — there are also such niche cookbooks available.
Photos
Visual-oriented people will appreciate cookbooks full of colorful pictures.
Meal plans
Some paleo cookbooks include meal plans or guides to help those new to the paleo lifestyle transition easily. It can be difficult to find breakfasts, lunches and dinners that satisfy the paleo requirements, so if your cookbook can do some of the heavy lifting, that’s a win!
Paleo cookbook cost
The most popular paleo cookbooks cost $15-$25 for a paperback book. E-book versions will be less expensive, and hardcover books cost a bit more.
Paleo cookbook FAQ
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Are there paleo baking cookbooks?
A. Yes, baking is a somewhat newer space in the paleo world, though there are some great cookbooks dedicated to making grain-free and dairy-free baked goods. Michele Rosen’s Paleo Baking at Home is a particularly popular baking book.
Are there cookbooks for beginners?
A. Certainly! Whether you’re new to paleo or a beginner-level cook altogether, you can find great cookbooks that will teach you the basics of home cooking while also introducing you to the paleo diet. In particular, Quick Prep Paleo: Simple Whole-Food Meals with 5 to 15 Minutes of Hands-On Time by Mary Smith is a great option for beginner cooks. The recipes are incredibly fast and use short ingredient lists.
Are there paleo cookbooks for kids?
A. Since paleo eating has become so popular, there are even cookbooks made just for young chefs, including The Paleo Kids Cookbook by Jennifer Robins. Other cookbooks are family-focused to include meals that picky eaters can enjoy.
Which paleo cookbook should I get?
Best of the best paleo cookbook
Practical Paleo, 2nd Edition: available at Amazon
Our take: This is the encyclopedia of the paleo diet, complete with three 30-day meal plans that address specific concerns like adrenal and hormone health, a “getting started” guide and more than 150 beloved recipes.
What we like: This cookbook is the perfect solution for cooks and paleo eaters of all levels. It’s
full of insightful information about the benefits of the paleo diet and how to transition into a new way of eating. And it doesn’t skimp on recipes, with delicious options for breakfast, meat dishes, seafood, snacks and desserts. Anyone with questions about the paleo lifestyle and how it may help with various health concerns will benefit from the wealth of information in this book.
What we dislike: If you’re not as interested in the paleo lifestyle and want more of a recipe-focused cookbook, you may prefer a less information-heavy book.
Best bang for your buck paleo cookbook
Clean Paleo Family Cookbook: available at Amazon
Our take: This beautiful book has 100 recipes designed to please all ages and palates.
What we like: For those with little ones at home, this cookbook is a great resource for family-friendly meals and recipes that can include kids in the kitchen. The recipes also put a focus on the cleanest ingredients possible, so you can feel good about what you feed your family. Even if you’re not strictly paleo, this is a great book for families with well-known food allergies like dairy, peanuts, wheat, soy or corn.
What we dislike: Some of the recipes are a bit more complex than those found in some other books.
Honorable mention paleo cookbook
The Big Book of Paleo Cooking: 175 Recipes & 6 Weeks of Meal Plans: available at Amazon
Our take: This hefty volume is chock full of recipe inspiration and includes six weeks of easy-to-follow paleo meal plans.
What we like: This cookbook has more recipes than most and covers helpful topics that new paleo eaters will appreciate, including carb replacements and how to plan for success. There are plenty of kid-friendly recipes as well, including desserts, dressings and sauces.
What we dislike: Some people find that the meal plans included in the book are too low in calories for their lifestyle. Of course, users can always add more meals from the book or scale the ingredients up for larger batches and servings. Lizzy Briskin is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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