Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Is Tahini Paleo?

flag	asked Jan 3 2012 at 22:19 Clayton 187●2●7

Beth-WeightMaven · Answer 1 · 2012-01-03 23:15:43Z UTC

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While sesame seed bran is removed in making tahini (thus presumably some of the bad stuff like phytic acid), it is still fairly high in omega 6 PUFA: ~3.5g/tablespoon. But with that PUFA comes some vitamins and minerals too.

So no, tahini is not paleo. But if you like it (like I do ... especially in hummos), no one will call the paleo police if you decide to find a place for it in your diet occasionally.

answered Jan 3 2012 at 23:15

Beth-WeightMaven
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Just a clarification: is the omega 6 the criteria you use to determine it's not paleo? – Christopher Gagnon Jan 3 2012 at 23:32

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No. In general, any seed (or grain) is not paleo (TM) because of their anti-nutrients. These are typically the phytic acid (which interferes with mineral absorption) and lectins which contribute to leaky gut and other auto-immune issues. But the high omega 6 is to me the reason that tahini is more problematic despite the lack of bran where white rice (aka a PHD "safe" starch) is less problematic. – Beth-WeightMaven Jan 3 2012 at 23:38

Thank you--you nailed exactly what I was misunderstanding! – Christopher Gagnon Jan 3 2012 at 23:44

Can't see phytic acid being the disqualifying strike against any food. It's not a convincing argument. – Matt Jan 4 2012 at 2:58

And it's not an argument for some like the Weston Price folks who point out that traditional methods for preparing foods (like soaking, sprouting, or fermenting) are ways of dealing with a food's anti-nutrient content. And I overstepped by lumping seeds in with grains. But Melissa has a great post specifically about the difference between eating some sesame seeds and eating lots of tahini or hummos: huntgatherlove.com/content/… – Beth-WeightMaven Jan 4 2012 at 13:17

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Shari Bambino · Answer 2 · 2012-01-03 22:30:56Z UTC

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I would say no. Unfortunately paleo isn't big on seeds in general. I think a dollop or two every once in while is just fine but wouldn't include it in my regular menu.

answered Jan 3 2012 at 22:30

Shari Bambino
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Christopher Gagnon · Answer 3 · 2012-01-03 22:39:12Z UTC

On another thread with a similar inquiry, someone stated that hulled sesame seeds were used to make tahini, and that the bad stuff was in the hulls--suggesting that tahini might then be okay. I cannot substantiate the validity of this claim, but perhaps this is a direction in which to research?

Matt · Answer 4 · 2012-01-03 23:36:56Z UTC

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I'd say paleo by a hair, but high in PUFAs, specifically omega-6s. In the same boat as other nuts in paleo, enjoy sparingly. Most likely you'll incorporate it into something else and dilute down any PUFA bomb.

answered Jan 3 2012 at 23:36

Matt
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Knarf · Answer 5 · 2012-01-04 00:21:28Z UTC

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"If you have to ask, it probably isn't." -Robb Wolf

And, technically, nothing is...right?

answered Jan 4 2012 at 0:21

Knarf
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Clayton · Answer 6 · 2012-01-04 02:18:06Z UTC

thanks everybody! kudos to the Robb Wolf comment! I don't consume Tahini, I just see it in the stores all the time and wondered because I have not read a lot about it in any of the books. Don't consume a lot of nuts anyway because of their omega-6:omega-3 ratio and because they are nightshades that upset my stomach...but glad I now know about Tahini in order to inform others! Thanks!

Is Tahini Paleo?

6 Answers