Nightshades and paleo diet alkaloids inflammation sensitivity-min

Nightshades and Paleo

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Perhaps you avoid nightshades yourself, or have noticed a lot of people do?  Is there any reason for avoiding them?

Nightshades are in the Solanaceae family, which comprises 2,800 types of plant.  The common nightshades include potatoes (which aren't consumed on a Paleo regime, so I won’t be talking about them), tomatoes, all types of peppers/ capsicum, eggplant, tomatillos, tamarios, paprika and cayenne.   Sweet potatoes are related, but belong to the Convolvulaceae family, so aren't classed as a nightshade.  Similarly black pepper is not classed as a nightshade as it belongs to the Piperaceae family.

Nightshades contain alkaloids, which the plant produces as a defence mechanism.  Some alkaloids have been shown to interact with nerve activity and inflammation, which may impact conditions such as arthritis and gout, as well as gut irritation.  Many people have no sensitivities to Nightshades, but those that do may find avoidance very beneficial.  Cooking decreases the alkaloid content by up to 50%, so for those with border line sensitivity, this can be a good option.

If you think you may have a sensitivity, eliminating nightshades for 30 days before reintroducing should give a clear indication as to the effect these plant have on you.  If you find you do have a sensitivity, you might chose to avoid them on a more permanent basis.

Do you eat Nightshades?  Do you have a sensitivity to them?

Nightshades and paleo diet alkaloids inflammation sensitivity-min

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Why You Should Throw Away Your Non-Stick Cookware teflon frying pan dangerous paleo diet-min

Why You Should Throw Away Your Non-Stick Cookware!

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So, you’ve got your Paleo diet tuned in, you exercise Primally and sleep soundly; but what do you cook with?

Non stick Teflon frying pans are everywhere.  If you don’t cook with them, you’re definitely in the enlightened minority.  It’s easy to see why this cookware is so popular.  It’s so cheap to buy, depending on where you buy your cookware, it may even be the only option.  Non stick cookware is also very easy to cook on – with no thought about temperatures; you’re likely to get it right.  It’s also very easy to clean.

So, what’s wrong with non-stick cookware?

The coating of many brands of non-stick cookware contains Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which has been shown to have carcinogenic properties.  Over time & usage the coating from these non-stick pans is often damaged, at which stage it should not be used, to avoid consumption of toxins.  Once in the blood stream there is no biological mechanism for removal of PFOA’s.

What should I cook with instead?!

There are several good alternatives to non-stick.   Cast iron, copper, stainless steel or enamelled cookware are the most popular Paleo options.  They are more expensive, but a good cast iron pan will last a lifetime.  You can also look for second hand pots and pans, which are likely to be very cost effective; even a rusty old iron pan can be cleaned, seasoned and given a new lease of life!

Cooking on iron

When you first get your iron pan you’ll need to season it.  This can be done by coating the pan in a fat, such as lard before putting it in a low temperature oven for a few minutes, allowing the iron to take up the oil.  It should then be cooled and excess oil rinsed out.  Soap should never be used on cast iron cookware.

Cooking on cast-iron is different to non-stick cooking, but once you’ve got the hang of it, you should be able to cook without food sticking to the pan.   It’s important to heat the pan before adding food (even the fat you’re cooking with) to avoid it sticking.  Food should generally be room temperature, not cold when adding to the pan, by leaving it out of the refrigerator for a few minutes before cooking.  The temperature shouldn’t be too high, or to low.  The final tip is to make sure you don’t shy away from using lots of fat, making this method of cooking very Paleo!

What do you cook with?  I’d love to hear your cookware tips and hints in the comments below.

Why You Should Throw Away Your Non-Stick Cookware teflon frying pan dangerous paleo diet-min