Blog

2

Hi everybody! I follow a very very strict version of Paleo, not for weight loss but for health reasons (I have a wide range of health issues, from gluten intolerance to gastric erosion).

Basically, I follow the following formula: if my stomach is okay with it, I will continue to eat it. If my body reacts to something, I will never eat it again.

Surprisingly, my body loves parsnips and beets. However, I know both beets and parsnips are high in sugar. Since I do not eat many other healthy Paleo foods like nuts, oils, coconuts, avocados, seeds, nightshades, tomatoes, etc. and my body tolerates only three different fruits (blueberries, Asian pears and pomegranates) do you think it is okay for me to continue eating beets and parsnips?

Thanks for your input! Your thoughts will be very much appreciated!

flag
2 
 They are Friends. – Matt Jan 7 2012 at 13:18

1 Answer

4

Treat'em the same as you would sweet potatoes. They're also a good source of starches. Ditto carrots.

Beets are awesome. Super nutritious stuff.

The only dangers I could find (other than overdoing them and getting an insulin spike):

From wikipedia: "While the root of the parsnip is edible, the handling of its shoots and leaves requires protective clothing." Apparently anything but the root can cause chemical burns, so if you want to plant your own do so very carefully.

link|flag
Wow that's wild! This is why I love this site so much. I get to learn all sorts of interesting facts about things like parsnips. :) – Crystal Jan 7 2012 at 15:46
Thank you for your answer. "Treat'em the same as you would sweet potatoes". I don't eat sweet potatoes. I don't like them. What do I do then? Thanks again! – VB Jan 7 2012 at 16:42
weird i am not sure i would agree with this wiki. never had to glove up to harvest parsnips and i would also like you to know that tomatoes are hazardous to work with and burn the hair off my skin when i harvest them! (i am not a fan of nightshades but love my umbeliferas!). i love parsnips, you can roast them, make fries out of them, cook them into soups, boil them with a little tiny bit of water (read:whfoods healthy saute) and then mash them like potatoes. im like you, sensitive to a lot of things(cant eat beats) so enjoy what you can:) – jessica Mar 29 2012 at 22:26

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.