Hellobee Boards

Paleo folks tend not to worry about the extra calories because they say it's 'healthy fat'. The biggest advantage to those alternatives over whole wheat is that wheat will spike your blood sugar where almond and coconut will not. You'll feel more full after eating them (because of the fat) and not deal with the post-carb crash. That said, I've never actually tried to cook with almond flour (although I have it in the house!) so can't speak to how it will work in recipes!

Paleo treats made with almond and coconut flour (I prefer the former, coconut flour tends to be very dry) can definitely be delicious. I think they're only a VERY tiny part of a clean diet though, much in the same way that cakes or cookies would be in a more standard American diet.

Most paleo-ites will say that nuts should play a fairly small role in your diet, as most do still have a dubious omega 3: omega 6 ratio. And, that due to the heavy caloric load, they really shouldn't have any place in your diet if weight loss is a goal.

I did find paleo baked goods helped ease my transition away from refined sugar, so I think they can be helpful. Over time though, my taste for them really waned - likely as I became more fat adapted https://www.marksdailyapple.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-fat-adapted/() and had less of a taste for sweets.

Of the flours you listed above, I prefer almond flour for the occasional treat. None of it as tasty as good old wheat flour though!

@Thehistoryofus: I hear you! I've definitely found it (almond flour or other flour alternatives) can be helpful in more savoury capacities such as breading meat.

One thing I definitely struggle with is moving away from the use of flour/cornstarch to thicken sauces or bread meats (I used cornstarch to thicken a stir fry sauce just last night!) but I've heard good things about arrowroot powder and potato starch. Both are somewhat controversial in the world 'o paleo because they do contain starch, but they don't contain wheat/gluten so I suppose they're one step above flour/cornstarch on the paleo continuum.

Oh, in case anyone who's gone paleo/primal/GF does have a hankering for something sweet, I made this banana bread last week and it was really tasty: http://civilizedcavemancooking.com/grain-free-goodies/paleo-banana-bread/. The whole loaf contains just 1/2 c. of coconut flour, so not too crazy in that sense.

I use lettuce leaves. That probably won't help for quesadillas though!