7 Paleo Menu Picks That Most Chains Get Completely Wrong

The paleo diet emphasizes consuming complete foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, nuts, and natural fats; nevertheless, many restaurant dishes that are paleo-friendly actually contain items that stray from that idea. Many fast food chains use flavor blends, sauces, and marinades that have already been prepared and may include sugar, starch, or industrial oils. Processed ingredients might be hiding in even the most seemingly simple dishes. By being aware of the common mistakes, you may confidently place your orders while adhering to the ideals of a whole food focused approach.

1. Grilled Chicken Plates

While grilled chicken may sound like a paleo-friendly option, many eateries marinate their chicken in seasoning blends or pre-mixes that include sugar, flour, or industrial oils. To further deviate from paleo rules, several establishments drizzle the food while it’s cooking to increase browning. When veggies are cooked in processed oils, even the sides might start to stray from paleo principles. To get the most authentic whole food preparation possible, ask for basic grilled chicken and steamed veggies.

2. Lettuce Wrap Tacos

Despite their paleo-friendly appearance, lettuce wraps often contain taco spice mixes—which include sugar, maltodextrin, and stabilizers—in their fillings. For texture, some fast food companies employ pre-cooked meats that are seasoned with thickeners. Ingredients in sauces, such as flavorful salsas or creamy dressings, aren’t often easy to spot on menus. Even while the wrap cuts down on grains, the dish as a whole could not stay true to paleo principles. For a more authentic paleo-style option, go for grilled meats with fresh salsa.

3. Veggie Bowls

Despite the seemingly nutrient-dense appearance of veggie bowls, many fast food and fast casual dishes use starchy veggies, seasoned grains, or sugary toppings. Roasted veggies tossed in refined oils can be hiding in even the paleo-inspired salad bowls. The use of stabilizers or added sugars in dressings takes the dish away from its whole food foundation. To stay true to the paleo diet’s tenets, choose bowls of raw or simply roasted veggies and avoid heavy condiments.

4. Steak Salads

Restaurant steak salads often have ingredients that aren’t paleo-friendly, such as croutons, sugary vinaigrettes, and cheese crumble mixes, even though they look simple. The nutritional composition of many dressings is changed because they use thickeners or additional sugar. You can use starch-containing seasoning mixtures on the steak itself. Even though paleo principles are supported by the greens foundation, the toppings tend to take center stage. If you want your salad to stay simple, order it without sugar and only add olive oil and vinegar.

5. Paleo Labeled Breakfast Skillets

Even while they claim to have paleo-friendly skillets, many fast food companies still include processed meats like sausages in their offerings, which aren’t always paleo-friendly because they contain sugar, additives, and preservatives. Some seasonings include stabilizers, and vegetables are cooked in refined oils. Adding prepared salsa or cheese blends takes the skillet from its original simplicity, even though eggs are excellent on their own. A paleo-friendly meal that is sure to satisfy is eggs prepared in a basic manner with fresh veggies.

6. Bunless Burgers

Even though it doesn’t look paleo, the patties of bunless burgers might indeed contain binders or breadcrumbs to keep them together. Sugar or starch is in many of the seasoning packets used by fast food chains’ burgers. Sweet pickles, ketchup, and specialty sauces are additional items that aren’t paleo. Using oil blends that don’t comply with paleo standards can even be applied on the cooking surface. For a more genuine, whole food-focused alternative, ask for a plain patty, simple veggies, and leave out the readymade sauces.

7. Roasted Vegetable Sides

Even though roasted veggies are one of the most paleo-friendly side orders, many restaurants caramelize them by coating them with refined oils or seasoning mixes with added sugars. Frozen veggies from certain chains are pre-roasted and treated with color and texture stabilizers. Preparation is more important than the vegetables themselves, even when they are paleo-friendly. To enjoy veggies in all their natural glory while adhering to paleo principles, simply ask for them roasted or steamed with simple seasonings