Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

1

I am thinking about introducing some grains back into my diet. I eat rice on occasion with sushi, but that's the only grain I've been eating in the past few years or so. I am wondering, for those of you who do partake in this activity, which grains you would recommend starting with?

I am thinking about quinoa? Anybody eat this stuff regularly? Do you get the sprouted kind and cook it, or do you just get the regular unsprouted variety and prepare it that way? Does it even matter?

Thanks for your help.

flag	asked Jun 8 at 17:47 foreveryoung 15.7k●2●11●54

Soooooaaaaak it. – JeJ Jun 8 at 18:03

1

Read Chris Kresser's latest podcast where they discuss quinoa. It's not good for you. – Eugenia Jun 13 at 23:18

Beer grains. Sour dough could be good too. If you find a way of staying ripped drinking beer, you could make a fortune. – primallykosher Jun 13 at 23:27

@ primallykosher- LOL. I drink beer all the time. – foreveryoung Jun 14 at 11:53

YoungPaleoLover · Answer 1 · 2012-06-12 03:41:29Z UTC

3

I don't know, personally I think there are better options than adding in quinoa. It is considered a grain closely related to the gluten properties in wheat. It can damage the intestines and gut lining the same way wheat does so I would go with potatoes and rice instead. If you are only eating 75g of carbs a day, which is not a lot by any means- you could get to that level with one heaping plate of white rice or a huge-ass baked sweet potato. In my opinion, both are more healthful and delicious than quinoa...

answered Jun 12 at 3:41

YoungPaleoLover
1,939●1●7●20

	THanks for the suggestion. I had no idea it had gluten-like properties. I was so close to trying it too! I'm going to have to do some more research into this. Also, I eat 75g STARCH on high carb days. That doesn't include bananas. Before regattas or soccer matches, I'd eat up to 4 bananas! – foreveryoung Jun 12 at 3:55
	Seriously that really isn't that many carbs! On high carb days I have two medium sweet potatoes which equals out to about 100g of carbs so you seem fine! OH and about the quinoa, I know Robb Wolf does a good job of explaining it in his book. If I have time I will provide a summary. – YoungPaleoLover Jun 12 at 23:32
	It isn't a grain, and it doesn't have any gluten-like properties. The Saponin on the outer layer of the seed can be washed off and often already is when you buy it commercially. Don't spread misinformation, please. – Dualhammers Sep 9 at 19:55
	@dualhammers: I distinctly remember Robb wolf talking about quinoa in his book and saying how like grains, it shouldn't be consumed. It just is too close to a grain. I'm not spreading misinformation at all. If I had the slightest belief it may be paleo I wouldn't have made my comment, but most people who eat a whole foods paleo diet aren't downing quinoa for its "high" nutrient properties. – YoungPaleoLover Sep 9 at 22:02

greymouser · Answer 2 · 2012-06-12 15:21:28Z UTC

I'm a staunch believer in "lower than SAD levels, higher than LC" carbohydrate intake, coupled with daily activity. I get around ~150g a day -- less some days, more when I plan a big day out running or biking the next day.

For my dense starches, I prefer sweet potatoes, (actual) yams, and cassava / yucca. All of them can be prepared in a variety of ways, and beyond skinning them, only the cassava takes a little extra work (after boiling, cutting out the inner root), to be free of (most?) bad stuff.

Cassava flour (i.e. tapioca starch) can be used to make small bread-type-things or crackery things as well. Easy to overeat, so be careful, but another way to get dense starches in you.

Mscott · Answer 3 · 2012-06-08 18:02:01Z UTC

1

How's you gut health? Quinoa gives me a stomach ache pretty consistently. Not sure what that's about, but I have tried washing it to remove saponins. Never had it sprouted.

As far as grains I do fine eating rice and corn, though their nutrient density is pretty piss poor. I'm actually a fan of buckwheat, which I have no digestive problems with and seems to have decent amounts of vitamins and minerals.

answered Jun 8 at 18:02

Mscott
11.5k●1●4●28

	My GI health is pretty good, I think. Do you sprout the buckwheat yourself before eating it? – foreveryoung Jun 8 at 18:28
	The stuff I am looking to buy says that it's pre washed, so I think that means the saponins are rinsed out anyways. Are saponins that bad ? – foreveryoung Jun 8 at 18:41
	Nope, I typically just buy the flour for baking. – Mscott Jun 8 at 18:45
	Quinoa saponins can be gut irritants, probably not that bad unless you have sensitive intestines like myself. – Mscott Jun 8 at 18:52
	In regards to washed quinoa. – Mscott Jun 8 at 18:53

show 3 more comments

D.K. · Answer 4 · 2012-06-08 18:08:58Z UTC

Quinoa never used to mess me up, but now after 6 months Paleo, the two times I tried to reintroduce it, I had terrible IBS symptoms (pain & bloating).

I eat low carb all the time with the exception of right after my weight lifting sessions where I eat 4 rice cakes (60g carbs) and guzzle whey protein. Aside from burning out your glycogen reserves through exercise, I don't see the point in eating high glycemic carbs. The high insulin response is only beneficial post-workout because it shuttles nutrients into your muscles and blunts cortisol levels from rising. Any other time, the sugar and insulin will just make you fat and sick.

bb · Answer 5 · 2012-06-13 23:17:48Z UTC

Don't know which is correct, but this was on answers.com

Quinoa-( pronounced keen-wah), sometimes called a whole grain, but in actuality is a seed, has been cultivated in the Andes Mountains of South America foro 5000 years. It is considered one of the best sources of protein and amino acids by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Natins. It is llight and fluffy when cooked and is a more nutritious alternative to rice as a side dish or salad. It is sold as a no-gluten food.

Before cooking, it should be thoroughly rinsed in a strainer under running water and drained ,to remove 'saponin', which would give it a bitter taste and could be toxic. Cook for about 15 minutes (1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water- bring to a boil and let simmer until all the water has evaporated).

One agronomist has said if he had to choose one food o survive on it would be quinoa.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_quinoa_good_for#ixzz1xiaGcLCQ

thinking about adding back in some quinoa/other forms of starch.

5 Answers