When life is busy, Paleo should not feel hard.
If you are busy, you either prepare food ahead or you keep cooking very simple. That is real life.
This article is for busy days when you do not want to think too much about food but still want to eat real Paleo meals.
If You Are Busy, Preparation Matters
When I know my days will be busy, I prepare food ahead.
Not everything. Just the basics.
I usually prepare:
- Protein
- A simple salad
- One or two cooked vegetables
Sometimes, I also prepare:
- Fruit (optional)
- Add-ons like olive oil, ghee, or truffle salt (optional)
That is enough to get through busy days.
Simple Paleo Proteins That Work
You do not need fancy recipes or complicated steps.
Simple Paleo proteins:
- Chicken
- Chicken tenders
- Ground beef
- Ground turkey
- Pork chops
- Steak
- Eggs
Chicken tenders are one of my go-to proteins.
I bake them in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes, depending on thickness.
They are fast, simple, and easy to prep ahead for busy days.
Cook once. Eat for a few days.
I keep protein in the fridge so meals are fast and easy.
Very Simple Cooking (No Overthinking)
Busy days mean simple cooking.
Examples:
- Meat with salt in a pan
- Meat in the oven with a timer
- Eggs in a skillet
No sauces.
No complicated steps.
Vegetables Keep It Easy
Vegetables do not need to be complicated.
I usually use:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Cucumber
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
I also use snow peas.
I am not 100 percent strict Paleo, and that is intentional.
Snow peas are not strict Paleo for everyone, but real life is not perfect. If your body tolerates them, that is okay. Paleo should work for your life, not against it.
Fruit in Real-Life Paleo (Optional)
Fruit is optional.
I do not eat a full cup of fruit by itself.
When I eat fruit, it is usually a small amount and eaten with food.
Examples:
- A few berries with a meal
- A small piece of fruit with protein
- Fruit added to a salad
Portion matters.
Small amounts paired with meals work better for busy days.
My Salad Prep (This Saves Time)
I prepare a salad ahead.
What I do:
- Make one large salad
- Store it in a container
- Eat it for up to three days
- Every three days, I make a new salad
I add protein to the salad, and the meal is done.
Simple Add-Ons That Are Optional
Add-ons are optional and not required.
Examples:
- Truffle oil or truffle salt
- Ghee over hot meat or vegetables
- Olive oil on salad
- Sea salt and cracked pepper
You do not need add-ons every meal.
They are there if you want them.
More Optional Add-Ons (If Your Body Tolerates Them)
These are optional and depend on your body.
Examples:
- Sun-dried tomatoes, dried and not sugary
- Tahini, if you are not sensitive
- A small amount of honey, if your body tolerates it
If something bothers your body, skip it.
Busy Day Paleo Meal Examples
Real meals for real days:
- Chicken tenders with salad
- Ground beef with salad
- Eggs with leftover vegetables
- Steak with vegetables
Meals can be simple and still feel good.
Paleo Does Not Have to Be Perfect
Busy days are part of life.
Your goal:
- Eat real food
- Keep it simple
- Do your best
Meal prep does not mean cooking everything at once.
Sometimes it just means making tomorrow easier.
Final Thought
Paleo should support your life, not make it harder.
Simple food, prepared ahead, with optional fruit and optional add-ons, goes a long way.
That is real-life Paleo.