Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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The GAPS diet is anti-starch, claiming it's more difficult to digest than monosaccharides. However, I've seen Paul Jaminet describe white rice (pure starch) as perhaps the most readily digestible carb source.

Many in the paleo community are anti-fructose, and there seems to be evidence that it uniquely feeds pathogenic bacteria.

VLC and LC diets notwithstanding, what carb source would you prefer for maximizing gut health? Ripe bananas seem like a good option for reconciling the two positions. My problem with bananas is that, for me, they have a poor (high) reward/satiety ratio.

This question is somewhat academic- for practical purposes I usually vary my carb sources. Just curious to hear thoughts from you all.

(Note: this was tangentially discussed at http://paleohacks.com/questions/77237/whats-the-difference-between-starch-and-glucose-for-our-health#axzz1ewN3XI51, but with a different focus).

flag	asked Nov 27 2011 at 21:04 Logically Illogical 719●1●10

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Thank you, @Logically Illogical, for illustrating to us the proper way to ask a question which is related to a previously-asked question. Everyone please note that @Logically Illogical linked to the old question, and explained how the present question differs from the previous question. +1 – Ed♦ Nov 27 2011 at 21:19

Eugenia · Answer 1 · 2011-11-28 01:19:20Z UTC

GAPS, and its precursor the SCD diet, do pay attention to simple and complex sugars -- as they should. Complex sugars are more difficult to break apart, and so they end up in the gut unprocessed, free food for yeast and bacteria. For people with gut issues, is best to not eat complex sugars until they have started healing.

I follow a mix of SCD and Paleo with great success. I got a bit of white rice last week, after 2.5 months of strict dieting, and I didn't do great on it. The more sugar you feed the bacteria (complex or simple), the more they will thrive. So at least for us, people with GI problems, let's be careful for a few months while our gut heals.

Beth-WeightMaven · Answer 2 · 2011-11-28 00:44:31Z UTC

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GAPS dieters avoid starches because they are thought to feed the bad bugs in the gut. This shouldn't be a concern for healthy folks. I'd listen to Chris Kresser's podcast on digestion for lots on this subject.

answered Nov 28 2011 at 0:44

Beth-WeightMaven
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Jay · Answer 3 · 2011-11-28 20:59:18Z UTC

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EDITED for clarity:

I suspect that any anecdotal successes that the GAPS or SCD can claim are largely due to FODMAP avoidance (which would occur somewhat accidentally on these diets) and are, thus, mis-attributed to something else, like starch restriction. There is evidence that FODMAPs do cause digestive problems and there is also a plausible biological mechanism explaining it. I don't think the same can be said about starch.

edited Nov 28 2011 at 20:59

answered Nov 28 2011 at 17:05

Jay
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Hmm, I'm skeptical of FODMAPs as the "unifying theory." For example, from a FODMAPs website: "You will still be ingesting a significant level of glucose and other carbohydrates. Overall, limiting your fructose intake will likely be beneficial to your health. But when in doubt, listen to your body (and, of course, doctor)" I agree that limiting FODMAPs is helpful, but am dubious of the implied claim that non-FODMAP carbs won't be fuel for pathogenic bacteria in a compromised gut microbiome. – Logically Illogical Nov 28 2011 at 18:02

Sorry I wasn't clear. I meant that I suspect that any anecdotal successes that these other diets claim are largely due to FODMAP avoidance and are, thus, mis-attributed to something else, like starch restriction. There is evidence that FODMAPs cause do digestive problems and a plausible biological mechanism explaining it. I don't think the same can be said about starch. – Jay Nov 28 2011 at 19:53

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Starch malabsorption exists and can be a problem just like FODMAPs can. – Dean Nov 28 2011 at 20:18

The SCD and GAPS diets have nothing to do with FODMAPS. There are common points, but overall SCD/GAPS are closer to Paleo instead. They're essentially lowish-carb Paleo. – Eugenia Nov 28 2011 at 21:51

I think you misread my post. I KNOW they have nothing to do with FODMAPS in theory. In practice, those on these diets will limit their intake of FODMAPs. To understand this point, you have to know what foods contain FODMAPs and then see if those are allowed on these diets (they aren't). – Jay Nov 28 2011 at 22:55

Starch vs. Monosaccharides for Gut Health?

3 Answers