Paleo Seafood Guide

22 items classified under standard Paleo guidelines.

Paleo classifies foods based on whether the food fits pre-agricultural categories. Of the 22 seafood evaluated, 21 are classified as Allowed, 1 as Limited, and 0 as Not Allowed.

Seafood are overwhelmingly compatible with Paleo. Each item listed here is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. The entries below break down the specific nutritional profile so you can choose based on your individual targets — calories, macros, or micronutrients that matter for your goals.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Anchovies Allowed 210kcal
Calamari Allowed 234kcal
Canned Salmon Allowed 136kcal
Catfish Allowed 95kcal
Clams Allowed 86kcal
Cod Allowed 82kcal
Crab Allowed 83kcal
Halibut Allowed 91kcal
Lobster Allowed 97kcal
Mahi Mahi Allowed 85kcal
Mussels Allowed 109kcal
Oysters Allowed 51kcal
Sardines Allowed 208kcal
Scallops Allowed 217kcal
Sea Bass Allowed 97kcal
Smoked Salmon Allowed 117kcal
Sushi Allowed 94kcal
Swordfish Allowed 121kcal
Tilapia Allowed 96kcal
Trout Allowed 148kcal
Tuna Allowed 206kcal
Fish Sticks Limited 277kcal

Classification Breakdown

21 Allowed — These seafood are a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. 1 Limited — These items have a borderline item that fits some interpretations of paleo and not others.

Paleo excludes by category rather than by macro: grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugar, and seed oils are out regardless of preparation.

Allowed Seafood (21)

Anchovies

Allowed

Anchovies is classified as Allowed on Paleo, with 210kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Nutritionally, it also delivers 28.9g protein and 9.7g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Sardines at 208kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

210kcalCalories
28.9gProtein
9.7gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Calamari

Allowed

Calamari is classified as Allowed on Paleo, with 234kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Nutritionally, it also delivers 13.8g protein and 13.2g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Scallops at 217kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

234kcalCalories
13.8gProtein
13.2gFat
14.1gCarbs
0.5gFiber

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Canned Salmon

Allowed

At 136kcal calories per 100g, Canned Salmon falls into the Allowed category under Paleo guidelines. It is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Beyond the primary classification, canned salmon also provides 24.6g protein and 378mg sodium per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Swordfish and Trout for calories, ranking 15 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

136kcalCalories
24.6gProtein
4.2gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Catfish

Allowed

At 95kcal calories per 100g, Catfish falls into the Allowed category under Paleo guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Nutritionally, it also delivers 16.4g protein per serving. Within this category, it falls between Sushi and Tilapia for calories, ranking 8 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

95kcalCalories
16.4gProtein
2.8gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Clams

Allowed

With 86kcal calories per 100g, Clams earns a Allowed classification on Paleo. It is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Beyond the primary classification, clams also provides 14.7g protein per 100g. Among the 22 items in this category, clams sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Halibut at 91kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

86kcalCalories
14.7gProtein
1gFat
3.6gCarbs
0gFiber

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Cod

Allowed

Cod is classified as Allowed on Paleo, with 82kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Nutritionally, it also delivers 17.8g protein per serving. Among the 22 items in this category, cod sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Crab at 83kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Atlantic (raw)82kcal17.8g0.7g0g0g
Pacific (raw)84kcal20.4g0.3g0g

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Crab

Allowed

Crab is classified as Allowed on Paleo, with 83kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. It also contains 17.9g protein and 395mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 22 items in this category, crab sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Mahi Mahi at 85kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

83kcalCalories
17.9gProtein
0.7gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Halibut

Allowed

At 91kcal calories per 100g, Halibut falls into the Allowed category under Paleo guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Nutritionally, it also delivers 18.6g protein per serving. Within this category, it falls between Clams and Sushi for calories, ranking 6 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

91kcalCalories
18.6gProtein
1.3gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Lobster

Allowed

At 97kcal calories per 100g, Lobster falls into the Allowed category under Paleo guidelines. It is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Beyond the primary classification, lobster also provides 20.9g protein and 535mg sodium per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Tilapia and Sea Bass for calories, ranking 10 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

97kcalCalories
20.9gProtein
1gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Mahi Mahi

Allowed

At 85kcal calories per 100g, Mahi Mahi falls into the Allowed category under Paleo guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Nutritionally, it also delivers 18.5g protein per serving. Among the 22 items in this category, mahi mahi sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Clams at 86kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

85kcalCalories
18.5gProtein
0.7gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Mussels

Allowed

At 109kcal calories per 100g, Mussels falls into the Allowed category under Paleo guidelines. It is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Beyond the primary classification, mussels also provides 15.1g protein and 362mg sodium per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Sea Bass and Smoked Salmon for calories, ranking 12 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

109kcalCalories
15.1gProtein
2.8gFat
4.7gCarbs
0gFiber

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Oysters

Allowed

With 51kcal calories per 100g, Oysters earns a Allowed classification on Paleo. This means it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. It also contains 5.7g protein, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 22 items in this category, oysters sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Cod at 82kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

51kcalCalories
5.7gProtein
1.7gFat
2.7gCarbs
0gFiber

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Sardines

Allowed

With 208kcal calories per 100g, Sardines earns a Allowed classification on Paleo. This means it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. It also contains 24.6g protein and 11.5g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Tuna at 206kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

208kcalCalories
24.6gProtein
11.5gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Scallops

Allowed

Scallops is classified as Allowed on Paleo, with 217kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. It also contains 11.1g protein and 12.5g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Anchovies at 210kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

217kcalCalories
11.1gProtein
12.5gFat
14.1gCarbs
0.5gFiber

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Sea Bass

Allowed

Sea Bass is classified as Allowed on Paleo, with 97kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. It also contains 18.4g protein, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Lobster and Mussels for calories, ranking 11 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

97kcalCalories
18.4gProtein
2gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Smoked Salmon

Allowed

With 117kcal calories per 100g, Smoked Salmon earns a Allowed classification on Paleo. This means it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. It also contains 18.3g protein and 672mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Mussels and Swordfish for calories, ranking 13 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

117kcalCalories
18.3gProtein
4.3gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Sushi

Allowed

Sushi is classified as Allowed on Paleo, with 94kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Nutritionally, it also delivers 428mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Halibut and Catfish for calories, ranking 7 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

94kcalCalories
2.9gProtein
0.7gFat
18.4gCarbs
1gFiber

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Swordfish

Allowed

At 121kcal calories per 100g, Swordfish falls into the Allowed category under Paleo guidelines. It is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Beyond the primary classification, swordfish also provides 19.7g protein per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Smoked Salmon and Canned Salmon for calories, ranking 14 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

121kcalCalories
19.7gProtein
4gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Tilapia

Allowed

At 96kcal calories per 100g, Tilapia falls into the Allowed category under Paleo guidelines. It is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Beyond the primary classification, tilapia also provides 20.1g protein per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Catfish and Lobster for calories, ranking 9 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

96kcalCalories
20.1gProtein
1.7gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Trout

Allowed

At 148kcal calories per 100g, Trout falls into the Allowed category under Paleo guidelines. It is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Beyond the primary classification, trout also provides 20.8g protein and 6.6g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Canned Salmon and Tuna for calories, ranking 16 of 22.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

148kcalCalories
20.8gProtein
6.6gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Tuna

Allowed

With 206kcal calories per 100g, Tuna earns a Allowed classification on Paleo. It is a whole, minimally processed food that fits the pre-agricultural framing paleo is built on. Beyond the primary classification, tuna also provides 15.3g protein and 14.9g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Trout at 148kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Fresh (raw)144kcal23.3g4.9g0g0g
Canned in Water90kcal19g0.9g0.1g
Canned in Oil198kcal29.1g8.2g0g0g

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Limited Seafood (1)

Fish Sticks

Limited

At 277kcal calories per 100g, Fish Sticks falls into the Limited category under Paleo guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a borderline item that fits some interpretations of paleo and not others. Nutritionally, it also delivers 11g protein and 16.2g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Calamari at 234kcal. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

277kcalCalories
11gProtein
16.2gFat
21.7gCarbs
1.5gFiber

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