If you strip it down to the basics, living a Paleo lifestyle is all about eating plants, animals, nuts and seeds. It can be kind of confusing, because we normally avoid seed oils, but seeds in their whole form constitute a whole food, and Paleo is essentially a whole foods diet.
Paleo and PUFAs
Seeds tend to be high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFA), which are unstable (they tend to oxidize very quickly, which is why we recommend avoiding the oils). For this reason, you should be sure to limit your seed intake. Don’t make them a staple of your diet, but you can certainly enjoy them as an occasional snack.
Paleo as a Whole Foods Diet
As a whole food, seeds are so much more than just PUFAs. They also come loaded with protein and various vitamins and minerals. They tend to be a rich source of antioxidants, which is great for counteracting the inflammatory effects of the PUFAs.
As with nuts, seeds are best if you buy them raw and soak/sprout and roast them yourself. For some tips, check out Mark Sisson’s guide to edible seeds.
