Looking to start a Paleo diet, and in need of some quick and easy meal ideas? This 5 day Paleo meal plan will help get you started! Gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free.
How this meal plan is laid out
This meal plan is laid out in an easy to understand way, so someone who is just starting out on a paleo diet can understand. It’s a great place to start, for those who don’t know where to begin, or are lacking creativity in their meals.
Not only have I included breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas every day, but I have also included snacks and desserts each day. This is for those of you who need that sweet or salty fix each day to satisfy your cravings (I feel ya!).
Eating a paleo diet doesn’t need to be restrictive, and is not intended to be a calorie-restrictive way of eating. So if you’re still feeling hungry, you need to eat more food! Don’t deprive yourself for the sake of losing weight or feeling healthier. The nourishing whole foods will aid with that in a natural and sustainable way, slowly over time.
This meal plan is also laid out with lunch being leftovers from the previous evening’s meal. You don’t need to follow this exact layout, but I find it incredibly helpful for easing the burden of cooking every meal.
Especially for those who work full-time, eating leftovers for lunch has been incredibly helpful to sticking “on plan” and not indulging in fast food while on lunch break.
Note that most of my dinner recipes are for four people (or two people for dinner + two people for lunch the next day). So, generally speaking, if you are using this meal plan for only one person, simply make half of the recipe.
I truly hope you find this meal plan helpful, and that is assists you on your way to health.
Monday
Breakfast: Breakfast egg muffins
Lunch: Salad with deli meat and veggies of your choice, with lemon apple cider vinaigrette
Snack: Paleo “chex mix”
Dinner: Egg roll in a bowl with a twist
Dessert: No-bake chocolate coconut swirl bars
Tuesday
Breakfast: Paleo cinnamon chia pudding
Lunch: Leftover egg roll in a bowl
Snack: Nuts of choice (remember that peanuts are legumes, not nuts!)
Dinner: Rosemary and apple pork chops
Dessert: Carrot cake bites
Wednesday
Breakfast: Eggs with sausage or bacon and avocado
Lunch: Leftover rosemary and apple pork chops
Snack: Crispy butter crackers
Dinner: Maple dijon salmon with steamed veggies of your choice and baked (or microwaved) sweet potatoes
Dessert: Strawberry chocolate crepes
Thursday
Breakfast: Coffee cake muffins
Lunch: Leftover maple dijon salmon, veggies and sweet potatoes
Snack: Apple, carrots, cucumbers or sugar snap peas
Dinner: BLT lettuce wraps
Dessert: Homemade soft pretzels
Friday
Breakfast: Wild blueberry mug cake
Lunch: Leftover BLT lettuce wraps
Snack: Guacamole with Siete tortilla chips
Dinner: Baked chicken fajitas
Dessert: Double chocolate chip mug cake
Tips and tricks
- Prep meals on the weekend – a lot of these recipes can be prepped several days before hand and then popped into the microwave later in the week. Just be careful to not prep too far in advance. I tend to not let leftovers sit for more than 3-4 days.
- Eat leftovers the next day. This is the basis of this particular meal plan, and it makes sticking on plan while at work MUCH easier! No temptations to go to the fancy burger joint for lunch (unless of course you ask for no bun!).
- The meals are all fairly simple in terms of prep and cook time already, so you won’t have to slave away in the kitchen for hours to stay “on plan”
I don’t like leftovers. Can I still use this meal plan?
This makes following the meal plan a bit more tricky, but it’s still doable! Simply cut the amount you make for dinner in half, and you’ll need to find another option for the lunches.
If you give these 5 day paleo meal plan a try, please let me know what you think in the comments below. Also be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest so you don’t miss another post!
You will also love these other posts:
