Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Aside from the argument of lectin content and omega 3-6 ratios, why can I not consume peanuts or peanut butter when adopting the Paleo lifestyle? It seems to me their "naughtiness" is over-hyped.

Regarding peanut oil, is it actually made from peanuts (only) or are their added ingredients?

Thanks.

flag	asked Jul 11 2011 at 0:58 paleon00b 97●1●7

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Those are the arguments right there. That's it. If you wanna still eat them, go for it. Oh, there's always aflatoxin, too – ben61820 Jul 11 2011 at 1:01

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^ True dat. According to wikipedia, "aflatoxins are toxic and among the most carcinogenic substances known". Peanuts are particularly susceptible to the fungus that produces aflatoxin. – Phoenix Jul 11 2011 at 1:05

Aravind · Answer 1 · 2011-07-11 01:39:23Z UTC

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I think you have answered your own question.

I view Legumes as an order of magnitude less harmful than (gluten) grains. Having said that, you have to decide if your approach to Paleo is

1) Is there proof this is really bad for me and absent such proof, can I continue to consume?

2) Is this essential from a nutritional point of view and are there no substitutes that are either less harmful and/or actually beneficial.

I think the divisions we see in this community regarding things like legumes, dairy, etc have to do with a bias to #1 vs #2.

Welcome to the community. Watch out for the genital-obsessed individuals trolling around here!

edited Jul 11 2011 at 1:39

answered Jul 11 2011 at 1:04

Aravind
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<GASP!> I am no troller! I just care deeply about my butt! So does my husband! – none Jul 11 2011 at 2:27

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Now why would you assume that I was talking about you? Hmmmm :-) And I wrote "genital-obsessed". No matter how much Paleo science we wish for, you butt cannot fulfill the function of a reproductive organ! Dare I take this conversation to the next "logical" place...I better quit before this thread gets deleted too. – Aravind Jul 11 2011 at 2:37

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Okay - I'm done. You are right, for the record, my bum is not a reproductive organ....(that's what SHE said!) - no, no, no, I'm done now....really! – none Jul 11 2011 at 2:41

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Poor paleon00b - asks a simple question about peanuts and then has to deal with Meredith's distracting comments. I continue to walk the path of the righteous :-) Ok, now we're done! – Aravind Jul 11 2011 at 2:47

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#2 especially made me think. there def are better substitutes to peanut butter. thanks. – paleon00b Jul 11 2011 at 2:50

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turkeytyme · Answer 2 · 2011-07-11 01:16:14Z UTC

The way I look at it is the dose makes the poison. Am I eating enough peanuts to harm my health? I doubt it. The biggest poison by far for me has been processed flour and sugar and my health is improving by leaps and bounds since I cut those out. I don't think there would be that same huge increase in health if I cut out peanuts so I don't.

HeatherC · Answer 3 · 2011-07-11 01:33:34Z UTC

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Peanuts contain 4,000 milligrams of omega-6 in each 28 gram, one ounce serving of peanuts. This is all I needed to hear to stop eating peanuts, peanut butter, or using peanut oil. That is a shit ton of omega 6.

answered Jul 11 2011 at 1:33

HeatherC
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I believe that would be 4 grams :) Yes, that's a lot! – Rhubarb Jul 11 2011 at 2:26

Shari Bambino · Answer 4 · 2011-07-11 01:34:58Z UTC

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Aside from the argument of lectin content and omega 3-6 ratios....??? Avoiding these two things are pretty much two of the most important basic cornerstones of the paleo diet. As others have pointed out aflatoxins in peanut butter are toxic and carcinogenic. Do you need a food to cause severe vomiting and diarrhea or what before you call a food suboptimal?

Having said that I think a spoonful here and there as a treat is fine if you really love it. Eating it every day would be fine too I suppose but then I think you need to look at whether or not you want to label your eating plan as paleo. I know we have lacto-paleo but I'm not sure the community would support a peanut-paleo version.

answered Jul 11 2011 at 1:34

Shari Bambino
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No need to get ugly, I'm still LEARNING. – paleon00b Jul 11 2011 at 2:42

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I"m sorry you chose to hear my comments as "ugly". I assure you that was not my intent. I would still suggest that if you find the basic tenets of the paleo diet "overhyped" then perhaps it's not for you. Some things about the paleo plan really aren't debatable and eating legumes is one of those things. Kind of one of those take it or leave it things. You seem to feel like it's a silly thing and if that's the case then I stand by my suggestion that paleo may not be the best choice of food plans for you to adhere to. – Shari Bambino Jul 11 2011 at 3:07

I think you sounded ugly. Sorry. I consider myself paleo but I don't bother making my own HFCS free condiments and I do occasionally eat PB. Part of this is because I am a caregiver and work in the homes of elderly people from the depression era and when they were young food was food and you didn't have the leisure of picking and choosing what you "want" to eat. My point is, is that they like me to enjoy meals with them and I try hard to keep it as paleo as I can but I don't consider myself any less paleo because I indulge some times. – Marie Jul 27 at 19:41

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Lina I'm also sorry that you choose to hear "ugly" in my words. I am only speaking the truth. ANd did you miss the part where I said it's fine to eat peanut butter every now and then? Honestly! Toughen up! Why do you care what I think???? Don't care what I think of what you eat. If you think paleo means eating peanut butter then have at it. Stick your face in a jar and go be happy. But don't tell anyone who states the FACT that the paleo diet eschews peanut butter as UGLY for heaven's sake. That's just silly. – Shari Bambino Jul 28 at 0:35

Payam · Answer 5 · 2011-07-11 02:35:51Z UTC

What I do when I buy natural peanut (or almond butter) where the oil is on the top:

1) I pour the oil off.
2) Then I wipe off any excess oil from the sides and lid.
3) Then I add melted grass fed butter and stir.
4) Then I keep it in the fridge, so the peanut/almond butter gets super thick because the saturated fats harden in the fridge.

End result, less omega 6, more cla and all the other benefits of butter, better texture, tastes amazing. Don't knock it till you try it.

Kirill · Answer 6 · 2011-07-11 02:51:42Z UTC

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Peanut lectin goes into your bloodstream and wreaks havoc, while omega6 PUFAs grace you with additional oxidative stress. Great, keep it up with your 'orders of magnitude' and 'feeling your health'. Wait, isn't that how did we got the standard American diet in the first place? Awesome!

answered Jul 11 2011 at 2:51

Kirill
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Do you care to explain further how it damages the blood and so on? I've read that it has been shown to have atherogenic properties. Also, what are the healthy levels or ratios of omegas recommended? I'm trying to learn as much as I can. – paleon00b Jul 11 2011 at 3:01

Atherogenic as well as any number of interactions with the immune system, depending on your HLA. Or maybe even creating a pathway for other particles to get into the blood stream. Generally, anything unintended by your body reaching the blood stream is bad news. Omega ratios are 1:1 to 1:4. Can't just add omega 3s , you're going to have to reduce the omega 6s. This means all kinds of nuts/seeds/fatty meats/oils should be cut or reduced. Basically: lean meats, cooked vegetables, seafood, coconut, starch(sweet potato, yam, potato, cassava/tapioca) and some fruit should make up 90% of your diet. – Kirill Jul 11 2011 at 3:19

Egg yolks and calf liver are good times for the vitamins as well. – Kirill Jul 11 2011 at 3:21

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"Can't just add omega 3s , you're going to have to reduce the omega 6s" - that answers my fish oil theory. ha. thanks so much. – paleon00b Jul 11 2011 at 3:38

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All in all perhaps up to 70% of the fat content of a porterhouse steak will improve the relative levels of LDL and HDL cholesterol, compared with what they would be if bread/potatoes/pasta were consumed. The remaining 30% will raise LDL cholesterol but will also raise HDL cholesterol and will have little if any effect on total cholesterol to HDL ratio. This suggests that eating a porterhouse steak instead of bread or potatoes would actually reduce heart disease risk. – Jeff Jul 11 2011 at 5:10

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Jay S. · Answer 7 · 2011-07-11 03:08:21Z UTC

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Rob wolf says that the ratio should be as close to 1:1 as possible. Too much 6 is no good.

answered Jul 11 2011 at 3:08

Jay S.
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okay, so just try and keep it even? what about fish oil? does taking fish oil give you room to consume more omega-6's? i know you shouldnt depend souly on supplements, but just in theory I suppose. – paleon00b Jul 11 2011 at 3:11

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no it's not just about keeping it even. any PUFA (omega 3 and omega 6) is inflammatory when consumed in excess, usually 3-4% of your caloric intake. so just eating peanut butter and taking massive doses to "balance" things out won't help. the best advice is the minimize omega 6 through dietary sources, that is avoid it in the first place. have a tbsp peanut butter once a week or something if your really wanting some. – mloster Oct 7 2011 at 6:00

Evan · Answer 8 · 2011-10-07 04:20:46Z UTC

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http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrientprofile&dbid=114

5.69g Omega 6/serving. Ouch.

answered Oct 7 2011 at 4:20

Evan
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Phazo · Answer 9 · 2011-10-07 05:21:07Z UTC

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This is purely anecdotal but peanut butter puffs me up like a balloon. From what I understand from my very limited research thus far, a lot of omega-6's = holy inflammation.

answered Oct 7 2011 at 5:21

Phazo
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ThinnerStrength · Answer 10 · 2012-08-29 18:11:17Z UTC

Regarding aflatoxins:

A few years ago, Consumers Union looked into the question of aflatoxins in peanut butter and found that the amounts detectable varied from brand to brand. The lowest amounts were found in the big supermarket brands such as Peter Pan, Jif and Skippy. The highest levels were found in peanut butter ground fresh in health food stores.>

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA115491

KA24 · Answer 11 · 2012-11-14 22:19:21Z UTC

If it doesn't irritate your digestion and you're getting plenty of Omega 3, I don't think Organic peanut butter with the pure peanut oil drained is that bad. A lot of the carbohydrate is fiber and from a quality source, I think there are far worse things.

With that said, you may notice other issues in digestion, skin irritation, etc...if this is the case, I'd avoid it. I'll throw down peanut butter every once in a while. It's a treat.

Peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oil.

11 Answers