Are Cheese and Yogurt Paleo?
Cheese is Paleo if it’s made from raw milk, and yogurt is Paleo so long as it is full fat, actually fermented, and has no added sugar or other problem ingredients.
During a period 10-15 years ago, no dairy was considered Paleo. However, that view has changed. Generally, dairy is very full of nutrients, and is not really very toxic for humans.
With all that in mind, it’s still best to remove all dairy from your diet when you first go Paleo. And it’s best to keep it out for 2-3 months.
Many people are lactose-intolerant without knowing it, and many people are sensitive to casein (a protein group in dairy). Once dairy has been removed for a while, I encourage adding back raw and/or fermented dairy, but pay close attention to how you feel. If you feel bloated, if your joints feel stiff or achy, or if you notice signs of inflammation like acne, then dairy probably isn’t something you want to continue eating.
Pasteurized dairy is most certainly not Paleo because all of the good bacteria and enzymes in it have been destroyed, making it much less nutritious and harder to digest. Unfortunately, there are many “Paleo” recipes out there that don’t differentiate.
Personally, I handle dairy very well and have been drinking a fair amount of raw milk. Hugely nutritious (relatively high in Vitamin K2), and it’s something I’ve always loved and have access to in California.
Here are some primal recipes with cheese as an ingredient:
1. Mini Cauliflower Crust Pizza Bites
2. Grain Free Chicken Dippers with Buffalo Ranch Dipping Sauce
Here’s a primal recipe using yogurt:
Images (in order): roboppy and Chiot’s Run.