How many calories on the Paleo Diet?

Typical intake is 1,500-2,500 calories per day.

Can you lose weight on the Paleo Diet?

Yes, weight loss is possible when maintaining a caloric deficit on the paleo diet.

Paleo Diet Calorie Guide

What is the Paleo Diet?

The Paleo diet (short for Paleolithic) aims to mimic the eating patterns of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. It focuses on whole, unprocessed foods: meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, while eliminating grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugar, and processed foods. The theory is that our bodies are genetically mismatched to the modern diet that emerged with farming.

At a Glance

Typical Daily Calories: 1,500-2,500 calories per day
Macro Split: 30% Protein / 35% Fat / 35% Carbs

Sample Day on the Paleo Diet

Here's what a typical day of eating looks like, with full calorie and macro breakdowns:

Meal	Food	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
Breakfast	Scrambled eggs with sauteed vegetables and avocado	420	22g	14g	32g
Lunch	Grilled chicken salad with olive oil dressing	480	38g	18g	28g
Dinner	Grass-fed beef burger (no bun) with sweet potato fries	550	35g	40g	28g
Snack	Mixed berries and macadamia nuts	200	3g	18g	14g
Daily Total		1650	98g	90g	102g

Calory makes tracking calories simple and beautiful. Download Now

Paleo Diet Food List with Calories

Common foods on the paleo diet and their calorie counts:

Grass-Fed Beef (4oz) - Primary protein source 200 cal

Sweet Potato (1 medium) - Paleo-approved starch 103 cal

Eggs (2 large) - Breakfast staple 140 cal

Almonds (1oz) - Healthy fat snack 160 cal

Blueberries (1 cup) - Antioxidant-rich fruit 85 cal

Coconut Oil (1 tbsp) - Cooking fat of choice 120 cal

Wild Salmon (4oz) - Omega-3 rich protein 230 cal

Avocado (1/2) - Healthy fat source 161 cal

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

Eliminates processed foods
High in protein and fiber
May reduce inflammation
Promotes whole food eating
Can aid weight loss

❌ Cons

Restrictive (no grains, dairy, legumes)
Can be expensive
Hard to sustain socially
May miss key nutrients (calcium, vitamin D)
Not supported by all research

Tracking Calories on the Paleo Diet

Regardless of which diet you follow, understanding your calorie intake is essential for achieving your goals. The Calory app makes it easy to track your meals on the paleo diet with its extensive food database, barcode scanner, and AI-powered food recognition. Simply snap a photo of your meal and let Calory do the rest.

Whether you're counting calories, macros, or just trying to be more mindful of what you eat, having accurate nutrition data at your fingertips makes all the difference.

Related Diet Guides

Helpful Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories should I eat on the Paleo Diet?

Typical calorie intake on the paleo diet is 1,500-2,500 calories per day. Your exact needs depend on your age, weight, height, activity level, and whether you're trying to lose, maintain, or gain weight.

What is the best macro split for the Paleo Diet?

The recommended macro split for the paleo diet is 30% Protein / 35% Fat / 35% Carbs. This ratio is designed to optimize the diet's intended health benefits.

Can I lose weight on the Paleo Diet?

Yes, weight loss on the paleo diet is possible when you maintain a caloric deficit. The diet's specific food guidelines can help you feel more satisfied while eating fewer calories, which many people find makes weight loss easier to sustain.

🥩 Paleo Diet Calorie Guide