Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I have come across this data:

http://foodquality.wfp.org/FoodNutritionalQuality/AntiNutritionalFactors/tabid/117/Default.aspx?

Are there any foods that DO NOT contain anti-nutrients?

Do all foods have something that is inherently inedible?

After reading about cyanide in cassava plants it really makes me wonder...

Thank you to all that answered... but then I have more questions -

I am against eating grains, legumes, etc. BUT I want to play Devil's advocate here. If ALL foods are okay in moderation - why not grains, legumes and dairy then? Even cabbage apparently has some anti-nutrients.

One food that comes to mind - berries. I don't think they have any anti-nutrients, do they?

edited May 20 2012 at 13:08

asked May 20 2012 at 8:52

VB
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Dave S. · Answer 1 · 2012-05-20 21:56:22Z UTC

All of them.

There is something problematic about all food. All plants have at least some phytate. All meat has at least some n6.

But, the dose makes the poison. A little cyanide never hurt nobody. ;)

The more manufactured it is, the more likely it is to be toxic. Paleo is a pretty good heuristic for separating more toxic from relatively benign. But most of us have moved beyond sensationalist fear mongering to a more prudent view. For example, in my view, there is no need to disqualify all legumes simply because there are a few really nasty ones. Every food should be looked at on it's own merits and how it fits in to an overall diet. At least, that's my approach. Perhaps even a few peanuts (gasp) once in a while, wouldn't kill me.

edit: I guess if I'm gonna get all fancy pants and use words like "heuristic", I should try to spell them correctly. Especially after I went all HAM on someone for saying (like for the umpteenth time) "I can't loose weight".

Matt · Answer 2 · 2012-05-20 11:51:13Z UTC

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All foods are problematic. But here's the thing... we've evolved to eat a variety of foods with a variety of natural defenses/toxins.

answered May 20 2012 at 11:51

Matt
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Exactly ehat I was going to say! Being here millions of years our bodies have naturally adapted to handling/ breaking down foods like meat, fruit, and veggies. – YoungPaleoLover May 20 2012 at 13:03

So, if we follow this logic, grains and legumes are okay, right? – VB May 20 2012 at 13:08

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For the last 500 generations few have questioned that logic VB. The current questioning of legumes and grains appears to me to have started with Dr. Atkins, because eating them makes ketosis dieting nearly impossible. I don't connect them with the obesity epidemic, nor do I think they are more processed/Neolithic than butter and bacon. – thhq May 20 2012 at 13:51

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@VB, by this very logic, I'm increasingly OK with things like grains and legumes. It's not that they are bad for you, it's that folks do not have healthy guts and cannot safely digest these foods. With a healthy gut, most folks can consume these foods without issue. – Matt May 20 2012 at 14:28

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Should add: I haven't made either grains or legumes a staple in my diet either. Despite having no digestive upset eating either. It's more of a "Congrats, you don't have to be so anal-retentive when eating out anymore" than a "gimme bread, om nom nom!" – Matt May 20 2012 at 15:27

Kasra · Answer 3 · 2012-05-20 13:13:55Z UTC

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Things like refined white sugar or refined coconut oil may be preferable in this regard to whole foods.

answered May 20 2012 at 13:13

Kasra
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	Yeah. Maybe best to stick to meat (protein, EFAs), berries (sugar), coconut water (sugar), and some avocado and/coconut oil (fats) for minimal anti nutrient exposure. – foreveryoung May 20 2012 at 13:27
	I've heard sugar-cane juice is pretty effing good and clean too. – foreveryoung May 20 2012 at 13:28

sandy A · Answer 4 · 2012-05-20 13:20:53Z UTC

IMHO, it's processed food that is bad. I know this is a paleo site, but I do not see where eating rice once a week, or beans (that you soaked yourself) once or twice a week is bad. I've been following the latest nutritional trends for over 2 decades now, exploring different eating styles and observing the results in not only myself, but others as well. This is how I have come to my conclusion that whole foods, particularly vegetables and fruits, meats and eggs, fermented dairy products and occasional whole grains and beans is Ok. It's like some people are going to be 100% paleo, others maybe 80/20 or so. Reminds me of vegan sites I used to participate in; some vegans don't even use honey or wear silk or wool. Some just restrict their diets to exclude meat, dairy, and eggs. Some eat eggs. It's all about moderation, smart choices, and limiting processed foods and sugar.

Which foods contain anti-nutrients and which foods don’t?

4 Answers