If you’re on a Paleo diet, you’re likely aware of Paleo-friendly milks like almond and coconut milk. Do you know which milks are the worst for Paleo, though?
Some of the worst milks for Paleo include cow’s milk, flavored milk, and oat milk, among several others.
Why are these milks the worst for Paleo? We’ll explain what makes milk Paleo-friendly, and why some milks should be avoided if you choose a Paleo lifestyle.
What is Paleo?
The Paleo (short for Paleolithic) diet, or “caveman diet”, is an eating style meant to mimic what people were able to hunt and gather thousands of years ago before farming began.
The Paleo diet is considered strict in comparison with a typical Western diet and avoids many of today’s more common foods, which we’ll soon explain!
Some of the foods that are avoided in a Paleo diet include:
- All grains, including gluten-free and ancient grains
- “Pseudocereals” like quinoa (though some Paleo dieters eat them; it’s a somewhat controversial topic)
- Dairy products
- Refined sugar/sweeteners, as well as artificial sweeteners. Honey is allowed.
- Legumes (beans, peanuts, soy, etc.)
What are the worst milks for Paleo?
Cow’s milk (all types and fat contents)
All types of cow’s milk are off-limits on Paleo, including buttermilk, condensed milk, and acidophilus milk. The domestication and milking of cows came after the Paleolithic era, which is why any form of cow’s milk isn’t Paleo-friendly.
Other mammal milk (goat, llama, camel, donkey, etc.)
In general, all mammal milk (except human milk for babies) is considered non-Paleo. This includes dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and cream.
Chocolate & strawberry milk
Flavored milk (especially cow’s milk) are among the worst milks for Paleo because it can contain dairy and added refined sugar. Remember that even flavored Paleo-friendly milk (like chocolate almond milk) isn’t usually Paleo-friendly because of the refined sugar added.
Oat milk
All grains are avoided on Paleo, and that includes oat milk.
Barley milk
Like oat milk, barley milk is made from grains, which are a no-go on Paleo. Not only that, but barley milk is one of the few types of milk alternatives that aren’t gluten-free.
Soy milk
Soy milk is one of the most popular types of dairy alternatives, but it’s one of the worst milks for Paleo. All types of soy are avoided on Paleo, including soy milk, tofu, edamame, and other soy-based foods and drinks.
Pea milk
Pea milk is made from yellow peas, a type of legume. Legumes are usually considered a healthy food, but since they weren’t around in the Paleolithic era, they aren’t suitable for a Paleo diet.
Rice milk
While rice milk is one of the better milk alternatives for allergies, it’s a no-go if you’re following a Paleo lifestyle. Rice is a type of grain, and all grains are avoided on Paleo.
Spelt milk
Spelt is a type of ancient grain that is lower in gluten than modern grains. Since all grains (even ancient and low-gluten/gluten-free grains) aren’t Paleo-friendly, spelt milk is among some of the worst milks for Paleo.
How to choose Paleo-friendly milk
So we know which milks are the worst for Paleo – but how do you choose milk that’s allowed on Paleo?
Paleo-friendly milk should be free of dairy, legumes, soy, grains, and any refined sweeteners. That means that Paleo milk is generally from:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Tubers (a type of vegetable)
- Fruit (like banana milk)
FAQs:
Any milk made from Paleo-friendly ingredients, such as almond milk or coconut milk, is great for Paleo.
Cow’s milk and other mammal milk (other than human milk for babies) isn’t allowed on Paleo. The domestication and farming of animals (like cows, goats, etc.) was nonexistent in the Paleolithic era which is why these types of milk aren’t allowed on Paleo.
All forms of dairy products aren’t allowed on Paleo, including milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, and any food or drink containing these ingredients.
Goat milk and other mammal milk isn’t Paleo-friendly. Non-dairy milk alternatives like almond milk and coconut milk are Paleo since they’re made from Paleo-approved sources.
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