7-Day Paleo Meal Plan, Created by a Dietitian

The paleo diet suggests the solution to modern-day health issues, such as obesity and other chronic diseases, is to revert back to the eating habits of our ancestors (during the Paleolithic time period), when neither processed food nor chronic disease existed. What we like about the diet is that it encourages lots of fruits and veggies, wild-caught seafood and grass-fed meats, keeping added sugar and salt to a minimum and cutting out processed foods. These are all great ways to maintain a healthy eating pattern.

But where the paleo diet plan falls flat is that it calls to eliminate beans and lentils, dairy and whole grains—foods that deliver valuable nutrients like fiber, calcium and magnesium. Unless you have an allergy or intolerance, removing them from your diet can cause more harm than good.

While we don't agree with all aspects of the paleo diet, we can get behind some of its healthy principles. In this paleo meal plan, we chose seven days of dinners that meet the diet guidelines and are also flavorful and healthy options even if you're not eating paleo. We also included healthy paleo recipe ideas as inspiration for breakfast and lunch to help balance out your day.

Day 1

Garlic Shrimp with Cilantro Spaghetti Squash

Pictured Recipe: Garlic Shrimp with Cilantro Spaghetti Squash

Garlicky shrimp are served on top of buttery, cilantro-flecked spaghetti squash in this quick, healthy dinner recipe inspired by shrimp scampi. Pair with a side of sautéed greens, such as kale, collards or spinach to round out this simple paleo meal.

Breakfast: "Egg in a Hole" Peppers with Avocado Salsa

Lunch: Kale Salad with Quinoa & Chicken

Day 2

Guacamole-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Pictured Recipe: Guacamole-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Fresh poblano peppers are roasted and then filled with guacamole and shredded lettuce to create a delicious paleo dinner. Serve this healthy stuffed pepper recipe with a mixed green salad dressed with Citrus Vinaigrette and topped with a handful of pumpkin seeds.

Breakfast: Berry-Almond Smoothie Bowl

Lunch: Chicken Curry Cup of Noodles

Day 3

Curried Chicken with Sweet Potatoes & Snap Peas

Pictured Recipe: Curried Chicken with Sweet Potatoes & Snap Peas

The slow cooker makes easy work of this colorful coconut-curry dinner. Made with coconut milk, curry powder, ginger and garlic, the mouthwatering sauce makes the meal. Reserve the bell peppers and snap peas and wait to add until the end to keep the vegetables crisp. A well-rounded and delicious paleo-friendly dinner, we guarantee you'll end up making this recipe again soon.

Breakfast: Cauliflower Hash with Sausage & Eggs

Lunch: Guacamole Chopped Salad topped with 2 slices cooked, crumbled bacon

Day 4

Puttanesca Pork Chops

Pictured Recipe: Puttanesca Pork Chops

This flavorful pork chop dinner recipe is proof that bold Neapolitan puttanesca sauce can liven up more than just spaghetti. Unlike brined olives like Kalamatas, oil-cured olives have a meatier bite because they're coated in salt and then macerated in oil. Look for them on olive bars or with other Italian products. While our original recipe suggests serving the pork chop over whole-wheat pasta, try serving it over zoodles to keep it paleo-friendly.

Breakfast: Tuna & Avocado Sweet Potato Toast

Lunch: Slow-Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Day 5

Salmon & Asparagus with Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce

Pictured Recipe: Salmon & Asparagus with Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce

Not only is this dish healthy and delicious, but this sheet-pan dinner is also easy to make and a breeze to clean up. Serve the salmon over Cauliflower Rice—a tasty paleo-friendly alternative to brown rice that doubles as an extra serving of veggies.

Breakfast: Jason Mraz's Avocado Green Smoothie

Lunch: Chicken & Apple Kale Wraps

Day 6

Green Eggs & Ham Soup

Pictured Recipe: Green Eggs & Ham Soup

This paleo-friendly soup is super-flavorful thanks to pureed veggies topped with crispy ham and a perfectly poached egg.

Breakfast: Spinach & Egg Sweet Potato Toast

Lunch: Orange & Avocado Salad topped with cooked salmon

Day 7

Paprika Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts

Pictured Recipe: Paprika Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts

In this healthy chicken recipe, paprika-rubbed chicken thighs are nestled into Brussels sprouts and shallots and roasted on a sheet pan in the oven for an easy paleo dinner. As the chicken thighs roast, the garlicky drippings flavor the Brussels sprouts and shallots to add more deliciousness to this recipe.

Breakfast: Baby Kale Breakfast Salad with Smoked Trout & Avocado

Lunch: Simple Vegan Pesto Zoodles topped with cooked shrimp