Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I stumbled across the Paleo Diet only 3 days ago, and I'm amazed. I still don't know much about the right foods to eat, [I'm waiting for 2 books on the subject to arrive from Amazon.com.] but, in the meantime, I have cut out all my whole wheat grains, and other grains completely. Quite amazing what just 3 days of no grains has done for how much lighter I feel even though I'm quite sure I haven't lost an ounce yet. And most definitely not an ounce from the pot belly I've been carrying around since I was a baby because I'm one of those women who, even when underweight overall, still carries around a "pot."

One of my favorite summer salads is Tabbouli. [a bulgur wheat salad, middle-Eastern, my favorite recipe for which, most ironically, comes from a Jane Brody cookbook that is subtitled "Living the High-Carbohydate Way."]

It was while I was researching just which bulgur wheat to buy that I stumbled on the first of many obviously legitimate Paleo Diet websites and had to completely rethink Tabbouli.

Most of the ingredients are Paleo acceptable, but the bulgur wheat clearly is not.

Is there any substitute for this whole wheat grain that I could use to make a Paleo version of Tabbouli? This salad is so chock full of freshness and divine taste, I think it is the one thing I will have to cry copious tears about not being able to enjoy if I can't find a Paleo acceptable Bulgur wheat substitute.

I could make the salad leaving out the Bulgur, but it would then taste like any other ordinary salad.

Any suggestions, anyone? Or should I go into mourning now and get it over with as soon as possible?

flag	asked Aug 1 at 0:51 Degrainer 51●3

Use Cauliflower instead. Two recipes: thehealthyfoodie.com/2012/03/11/… and realfoodkosher.com/cauliflower-tabbouleh – Eugenia Mar 24 at 21:20

Sara S. · Answer 1 · 2012-08-01 00:56:14Z UTC

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I wonder if grated/riced cauliflower would work. I think I would also try finely chopped nuts, if I ate nuts.

answered Aug 1 at 0:56

Sara S.
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I've done this with cauliflower and love it. – arugula Aug 1 at 17:04

greymouser · Answer 2 · 2013-03-24 21:08:37Z UTC

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You absolutely do not need much bulgar for authentic tabbouleh. My fiancé's mother (a lebanese woman) makes it with 95% parsley. For me, she doesn't add the bulgar at all, which I appreciate.

Some recipes call for 95% bulgar. If you're used to that kind of tabbouleh, then you're out of luck! ;-)

edited Mar 24 at 21:08

answered Aug 1 at 1:37

greymouser
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	I love tabbouleh made with no bulgar. – zoomia Aug 1 at 14:46
	I agree with this - just a smidgen of bulgur to give it a little chewiness. You could soak/sprout the bulgur ala Weston Price style and make it almost-paleo. – RK Mar 24 at 20:27

Lyndsay · Answer 3 · 2012-08-01 00:54:36Z UTC

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Tabbouli with quinoa is just as delicious!!

answered Aug 1 at 0:54

Lyndsay
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A step in the right direction, but it is a legume. – Dan Aug 1 at 1:15

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Oh, shut up, quinoa is perfectly fine! – Lyndsay Aug 1 at 1:43

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Oh man. Quinoa rips holes in my Stomach. Gives Me horrendous heartburn and stomach cramps. I'd like to try making it with buckwheat though. – Aughra Aug 1 at 2:13

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Oh! I stand corrected. I personally don't eat quinoa as it worsens my inflammation (rheumatoid arthritis), but that's just me! – Dan Aug 1 at 3:15

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Robb Wolf suggests not eating quinoa as it has similar anti-nutrients to wheat.. – YoungPaleoLover Aug 1 at 7:42

show 5 more comments

blueballoon · Answer 4 · 2012-08-01 01:04:45Z UTC

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I've done quinoa as well. I like it, but very rarely eat [quinoa]. Cauliflower works well, too, though! I've tried this recipe, and it's delicious: http://mideats.com/2012/06/grain-free-tabbouleh-salad-sans-bulgur/

answered Aug 1 at 1:04

blueballoon
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wudshapr · Answer 5 · 2012-08-01 02:00:53Z UTC

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Pretty sure quinoa is NOT a legume, but don't shoot me for a liar. It is however a perfect protein, being the only grain with a complete set. I love to make it with quinoa, lemon, red onion, olive oil, and of course lots of parsley, another perfectly balanced food.

answered Aug 1 at 2:00

wudshapr
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Its a grass.... – Crowlover Aug 1 at 2:11

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Quinoa is not a grass. It's a chenopod, related to spinach and beets. – Christopher Gagnon Aug 1 at 2:50

Heather · Answer 6 · 2012-08-01 02:01:39Z UTC

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There is a recipe here that I'd like to try: http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2012/07/02/gluten-free-paleo-tabbouleh/

All of her other recipes are fabulous, so I'd imagine this one will be too.

answered Aug 1 at 2:01

Heather
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	I can't imagine that it wouldn't be good. Maybe not exactly like traditional tabbouleh, but still a terrific vegetable salad. And toasted cauliflower has to be brilliant -- I've both roasted, and pan-fried cauliflower until browned before, and it becomes magical when it browns! – Christopher Gagnon Aug 1 at 3:12
	Chris try it roasted in the oven with sundried tomatoes and olive oil= YUM! – YoungPaleoLover Aug 1 at 7:43

Christopher Gagnon · Answer 7 · 2012-08-01 03:03:15Z UTC

I would definitely sub quinoa for bulghur wheat. It's not strictly paleo, but in my opinion a worthy choice for a treat, and culinarily, perfectly suitable for tabouli. It should be soaked and rinsed before cooking to reduce saponins, which present problems for people with certain gut sensitivities or conditions. It has no negative effect on me, that I can detect, and can be intensely satisfying when you're jonesing for some grain-like food. Complete protein as well, though not in a quantity that matters to someone eating paleo, and thus, likely lots of animal products. In short: an imperfect choice, but much better than wheat.

By the way, you can do paleo and still treat yourself to any food you like occasionally. Many follow an 80/20 rule whereby they do strict paleo 80% of the time, and enjoy most of the benefits. The main reason not to eat such treats is if they cause you trouble. If you have a hearty and tolerant constitution, you can do what you want. Any step toward paleo takes you a step in a good direction, and the rest is just a matter of degree.

ibedi · Answer 8 · 2012-08-01 05:36:33Z UTC

Quinoa is a seed. It is an ancient food in South America and grows wild, so it should be perfectly paleo. I'm not a paleo expert, tho.

It has a soapy coating to protect it from bugs, so make sure to wash it thoroughly - not just a quick rinse. It's possible that coating could cause stomach distress, but I don't know. Put in in a screen strainer and then on top of a bowl or pan of water and swish it around with your fingers. Keep washing and rinsing until the water is clear and you don't see any suds. It is a bit of a process, but important.

Lin · Answer 9 · 2013-03-24 19:53:43Z UTC

Hi, i have had stomach problems since my youth and an allergy bank of tests long ago) showed allergies to virtually all grains and legumes. No wonder i had constant stabbing pain, BUT this year i discovered that if i sprout these things...they seem digestible. Perhaps this idea will help those of you who can't eat quinoa. Best of luck.

LOVE TABBOULI, BUT BULGUR WHEAT IS OUT, RIGHT?

9 Answers