Paleo Diet – Why Eat Pecans
There is a common misconception about the Paleo Diet – NO SNACKS, NO SWEETS. For people who enjoy these, it definitely sounds like a big hurdle when it comes to accepting the Paleo diet. But in reality, there are so many snacks and desserts you can enjoy without compromising the principles of this diet, just like this amazing Paleo Pecan Pie.
There are many diet plans that suggest withdrawal from snacks and sweets, which the body will surely benefit. However, this is the same reason why a lot of people start to lose the “will” to continue on their diet plan, including Paleo. Men, women, and kids just adore desserts and snacks that can encourage them to go on with the diet plan they choose to follow. But on the Paleo diet, this is not entirely true. There are many dessert and snacks which can be converted to Paleo diet friendly recipes.
There are so many reasons why the Paleo diet stands out from other diet plans, which includes these desserts and snacks. With this diet, you are given the freedom to enjoy the food you grew up loving, and craving for, by substituting Paleo approved ingredients that will taste the same or better. The Paleo or Caveman diet is not as restrictive as you may imagine when it comes to desserts and snacks. Here are some reasons why this matters a lot when you wish to succeed with this diet:
It Stops The Cravings
When into a diet, a person’s mindset would often have restrictions on things that are not totally allowed in the diet. However, cravings can overwhelm and it will definitely come across your mind no matter how strict you are with the diet plan you follow. When the cravings become way too hard to control, you’ll give in to the temptation then feel guilty afterward. Plus there are some cravings that you really cannot control, especially when pregnant. By eating desserts or snacks that are Paleo approved, you get to address your cravings without the feeling of guilt.
It Encourages An Individual
Because there is no feeling of guilt from eating Paleo desserts and snacks, an individual can be encouraged to keep to their new Paleo lifestyle. This is effective especially for people living with someone or have children. Desserts and snacks are great temptations, and once a person gives way to such temptations it is possible for them to stop Paleo, thinking they cannot truly enjoy what they are eating. With Paleo snacks and desserts, it does not deprive people of what they enjoy the most and becomes their means of a reward.
Paleo Desserts And Snacks Are Still Healthy
Because excessive sugar and salt are not approved in Paleo, or any diet Paleo enthusiasts who also crave for some salty and sweet foods found ways to make desserts and snacks Paleo friendly and healthy. This creates a whole new perspective for a person to enjoy the food he/she grew up loving, making the food healthier and even more practical by using alternatives that can even make the food tastier.
Paleo can be restrictive in relation to some types of food, but it does not mean that Paleo cannot be flexible. There are ways of enjoying food by creating better versions, just like the Paleo Pecan Pie featured below.
- Crust
- ½ Cup (120 g) Coconut Flour
- ½ Cup (120 g) Coconut Flakes – Unsweetened
- ½ Tablespoon (8 ml) Maple Syrup
- ¼ Teaspoon (1.25 g) Sea Salt
- ¼ Cup (60 ml) Coconut Oil
- 3 Egg Whites
- Filling
- 1 Egg White
- 1 Egg
- 1 cup (237 g) Maple Syrup
- ¼ Cup (60 g) Coconut Crystals
- 2 Tablespoons (30 g) Arrowroot Powder (For slurry)
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) Water (For slurry)
- ¼ Teaspoon (1.25 g) Sea Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon (1.25 ml) Vanilla Extract
- 6 Oz (178 g) Pecan Halves
- For the Crust
- • We’ll be using the oven, so make sure you preheat it to 400°F (205°C).
- • Grease a pie pan or spring-form pie pan with a little coconut oil and set aside.
- • Mix the maple syrup, sea salt, coconut oil and egg whites in a medium-size bowl, making sure all ingredients are combined well.
- • Into the bowl, sift the coconut powder and coconut flakes. Continue mixing everything until thoroughly combined.
- • Press the dough evenly and thinly into the prepared pan. Prick the set dough several times with a fork.
- • Bake the dough uncovered for 10 minutes. You can make the filling whilst you wait for the crust to bake.
- For the Filling
- • Make the arrowroot slurry by combining the arrowroot powder with water. Mix the ingredients well.
- • Using a processor, combine the egg white, egg, maple syrup, coconut crystals, sea salt, vanilla extract, and the arrowroot slurry. Blend the ingredients well.
- • Into the pie crust, place the pecan halves.
- • Pour the filling mixture over the top of the pecan halves.
- • Before putting the pie back into the oven, cover the edge of the pie with tin foil. This will prevent the pie crust from burning.
- • Bake the pie for 40 minutes or until the filling has set.
- • Remove the pie once it is cooked and serve whilst still hot. You can serve this with your favorite Paleo drink. Enjoy!
This snack can totally stop your craving for sweet things and give you the nutrition and energy you need for the rest of the day. The main ingredient, pecan nuts, is especially nutritious and is Paleo approved. Nuts and seeds are widely accepted on the Paleo diet, not only because they are healthy but also because these might have been some of the foods that our ancestors consumed before. The earliest record that pecan nuts were consumed was before the settlement of Europeans in America. Native Americans were known to be the first to use pecan nuts for food and for trading. Pecan nuts were not discovered by the Europeans until the 16th century.
Why Include Pecan Nuts Into Your Paleo Diet
With research and further studies, it was discovered that pecan nuts are not to be disregarded in terms of nutrition. Here are some of the best health benefits you can gain by adding pecan nuts to your Paleo diet.
Oleic And Ellagic Acids Fight Against Cancer
If there is one thing that a lot of researchers and health experts would like to prevent, perhaps cancer can be one that most will answer. Cancer is a disease that does not have a cure but can be prevented by eating food rich in anti-carcinogens, just like pecans. Pecan nuts are rich in oleic acid, an antioxidant that can help reduce the risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer. Another antioxidant that helps in cancer prevention is Ellagic acid. Ellagic acids inhibit the DNA binding of cancerous cells to healthy cells.
Fiber For Weight Loss And Prevention Of Cardiovascular Diseases
Pecan nuts are rich in fiber which is why it can help the body feel full easily. These fibers are also responsible for removing toxins and sweeping unwanted fats from the body. Because your body feels full, it will not crave additional fuel to burn and will use up fats stored in the body instead. These fats can block the arteries which can lead to a person suffering a stroke and other cardiovascular problems. Aside from fiber, the oleic acid of pecans can also reduce levels of bad cholesterol in the body whilst it increases the levels of good cholesterol.
Magnesium And Phosphorous For Protection Against Inflammation And Strengthen Bones And Teeth
The body goes through a lot of wear and tear, and eventually, inflammation may happen. Many people, as they get older, suffer from inflammation commonly to their joints. If you want to prevent or reduce inflammation, eating pecan nuts can help. Pecan nuts contain magnesium which can reduce and prevent inflammation. Also, if you want to strengthen your bones and teeth, pecans can help because they contain high levels of phosphorus essential for keeping bones and teeth strong along with calcium.
Antioxidants For The Skin And Hair
If you want to have glowing skin and shinier hair, then eating pecan nuts can be a great option. The antioxidants in pecans are also responsible for removing free radicals which can manifest through our skin. Because they remove the toxins from the inside, the skin will reflect how healthy we are on the outside. Pecans can also prevent hair loss and promote the growth of healthier and shinier hair by promoting higher levels of iron in the body, particularly in the blood.
Manganese And The Immune System
If you want to strengthen your immune system, eating pecans can help. Besides the other antioxidants mentioned above, pecan nuts contain a hefty amount of manganese. Manganese is also an antioxidant which can prevent free-radical damage of the nerve cells. This not only boosts the immune system but also improves nerve and brain function.
Without a doubt, we can consider pecan nuts a small but indispensable food on the Paleo diet that you can count on for health and energy. With these health benefits and this recipe, it won’t be a mystery if you choose to enjoy Paleo approved snack and desserts more.