Vegetable consumption is definitely encouraged on the paleo diet, but there are some vegetables that are off limits according to registered dietitian Haley Hughes.

“String beans, green beans, edamame, and snow peas are on the vegetables to avoid list because they are considered legumes, and those observing the diet believe there are negative health impacts associated with them,” Hughes told INSIDER.

Given that there are so many other paleo-friendly veggies to choose from, Hughes said this is usually an easy paleo mistake to correct.

“Cutting out absolutely all carbs, even those obtained from certain vegetables and fruits, could lead to more harm than good,” Caleb Backe, health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics  told INSIDER. Instead of cutting out carbs completely, try to get the nutrients you need by keeping a varied assortment of plant and animal-based foods in your daily routine, he said.

“Taking in too much fat into your system could hinder the natural feelings of hunger and satiety, which are essential to the paleo diet,” Backe suggested. The right amounts of good fat are welcome, but if you consume too much of it in an attempt to feel full, it may cause your nutrient levels to become unbalanced, he said.

“Animal-based foods can provide you with many nutrients, but one major paleo mistake is focusing too much on meat and neglecting to incorporate plant-based foods more heavily into your diet,” Backe suggested. Phytochemicals (also known as phytonutrients) are part of what helps us grow and develop, he said.

“By removing dairy, calcium could become limited, so be sure to replace it with other sources of calcium and vitamin D,” weight loss management specialist and board-certified cardiologist, Dr. Luiza Petre, told INSIDER. To make sure you are getting enough calcium in your diet, Dr. Petre suggested eating vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish (tuna and mackerel) as well as beef liver. Calcium, she said, can also be found in leafy foods such as spinach, sesame, poppy seeds, and chia seeds.

“Paleo removes legumes rich in minerals like magnesium, selenium and manganese, so it’s best to incorporate plenty of replacements into your diet,” Dr Petre suggested. To make sure you are getting enough magnesium in your diet, she recommended consuming magnesium-rich foods like spinach, almonds, and avocado often. Selenium, she added, is usually found in Brazil nuts, tuna and sardines. Manganese, on the other hand, is usually found in nuts and leafy veggies, she said.

“There are lots of sauces you can make that are naturally paleo-friendly,” Sara Heilman, executive sous chef at Green Chef told INSIDER. “This includes a red curry coconut sauce made with full fat coconut milk, red curry paste, coconut aminos, fresh lime juice, and a tiny bit of fish sauce.” Pesto can also be made paleo-friendly, as Heilman suggested making a dairy-free version of the Italian classic with some basil, hemp seeds, garlic, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, and toasted almonds.

“The easiest way to eat paleo is to buy tons of products, but this may not be what is actually best for you,” registered dietitian Scott Keatley told INSIDER. “I like maple syrup as much as the next person, but it still contains a ton of sugar, which is generally good for no one in large amounts,” he said.

“One paleo mistake you may be making is not cleaning out your pantry and accidentally eating foods that are not considered paleo,” registered dietitian Kelsey Conrow told INSIDER. To set yourself up for success, she recommended designating certain shelves to paleo-approved foods. She added that another benefit to cleaning out the pantry is that you are always looking at foods that you can include in your diet, versus being reminded of the foods you are no longer able to consume.

“While you may have your food choices dialed in, don’t forget to check your drink choices,” Conrow explained. Artificially-sweetened soft drinks and energy drinks such as diet coke and red bull are not included, she said. Instead, try consuming paleo-friendly beverages such as black coffee, green tea, and lots of water.

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