Is Paleo Vinegar?
Paleo Vinegar 101
Is Vinegar Paleo? Great question! The premise of the Paleo Diet is to replicate, as closely as possible, the dietary habits of our Stone Age ancestors. The ultimate goal is to eat the foods that our bodies are genetically meant to eat. The idea of Paleo is to lead a zero preservative life. The aim is to achieve the sum of all the necessary macronutrients needed to keep our bodies healthy and energized. The most successful way of doing this is by choosing foods that are naturally available and found in the environment. This includes meats, fruits, vegetables, and essential oils.
While vinegar is not a product found naturally in the environment, it is the result of natural processes, assuming that no preservatives, sugar, or salt were added to the process of concoction. With the exception of malt vinegar, all other vinegars are allowed in Paleo –as long as they are made with the proper, natural ingredients.
What type of vinegar should I get then?
Here is a short lesson on Vinegar 101- The Paleo Way
Let’s begin with the ones you are likely to hear the most in recipes, restaurants, and food magazines: The exotic balsamic.
Balsamic vinegar- Famous for its gourmet look, this brown, sexy condiment is great for salads by adding spice, a hint of sour, and another hint of savory to any unflavored vegetable. This delicious liquid is extracted from white Trebbiano grapes, and other grapes from different regions. The process of boiling, fermenting, and keeping is important as well. The traditional recipes, which are aged for over a decade, account for the price tag of over $100 per each bottle of “the good stuff.” Like wine, the less aged the grape, the more affordable it is.
Bottom line: YES, Balsamic is allowed in Paleo
Apple cider: This is the vinegar universally known as a weight loss aid, as a potential agent to lower high blood pressure, and even as an aid in the regulation of blood sugar, when taken in a specific course, recommended by a physician. Whether those claims are true or not, the real fact is that vinegar is good for its acetic acid and for its probiotic content. As the name of the food implies, it is extracted from apples, which are very much accepted in the Paleo diet. Make sure that you do not pick up a “cool” version of the traditional recipe and end up with one with added preservatives and ingredients that do not go with the lifestyle.
Bottom line: When made with the right ingredients: YES, apple cider is also Paleo-friendly.
Wine vinegars (red or white) – I take a particular like to wine vinegars for the fact that they can be put to multiple uses. Cleaning, polishing and disinfecting are just three common uses for it. As a household product, nothing would be more “Paleo” than that. If you are using it for cooking, and there is no sugar added, you may venture to consume it as you wish.
Conclusion: Vinegar, when made properly, can be definitely a Paleo friendly choice. Enjoy it today, and make your own to have a truly awesome Paleo experience.
