What’s Wrong With Potatoes?
Do you have potato-blood? I hope not because that would mean that you are terribly ill. It’s an old expression, apparently. But I digress; are potatoes really that unhealthy to eat? And do they fit in with a paleo diet?
If you read a lot of Paleo blogs, I'm sure you’ll have noticed that opinions vary significantly… here are some of the viewpoints…
Paleolithic or a bit younger?
Potatoes are a contentious subject when it comes to the paleo diet. Strictly speaking they don’t fit the bill, at least not at first sight. Cultivation of vegetables started the Neolithic era, and consuming potatoes is most likely developed during this period, not before. Raw potatoes are not the most delicious food you've ever had; you need to cook them before they become more edible (although some people do eat them raw, it’s not advisable).
A potato is also a ‘nightshade’, which would not have come into existence before the Neolithic period, like tomatoes and eggplant. Paleolithic people would not have eaten them, simply because they were not around. But we can’t be sure about this. And anyway – Paleo is a science – not a re-enactment, after all!
The fact that some people are not able to fully digest a potato, can lead to the theory that we never adapted to these foods, and therefore, are not supposed to eat them. The paleo theory that some people follow “if you can’t eat it raw, it’s not paleo” seems to be valid here. Whilst regular potatoes and white potatoes are not edible in their raw forms, sweet potatoes are (but again, I wouldn't advise it!)
Potatoes and your health
Potatoes consist mainly of starch, which isn't very good for people that are insulin resistant. Although they are a ‘pure food’, it needs to be cooked to become edible. Further processing is not necessary, as it would be in the case of grains (a much easier to define Paleo no-no).
Potatoes are 100% carbohydrate. This will increase your insulin, which is fine for some people. Athletes and those who train hard are often able to eat potatoes almost every day and have no problems with them. Potatoes are a very healthy source of carbs to refill and refuel your body (especially compared to grains and other refined carbs for example). So, it completely depends on you; but if you’re overweight, already insulin resistant, and your body isn't good in coping with glucose – then I’d leave the potatoes alone.
Personal choice
Whether or not you think that you should, or should not, include potatoes into your diet is completely up to you. It is very likely that the Paleolithic humans did eat raw potatoes.
If you are already overweight, it is probably best to avoid them. Because they are so carb heavy, it’s better to leave them alone and replace them with other paleo foods that are just as nutritious, but with less carbs.
If you are sensitive to nightshades, be careful. Nightshades can cause serious bowel and digestive problems to people who are sensitive.
Potato Considerations
Should you consider to have potatoes in your diet, you might like to consider the points below:
- Peel the potato! Most of the toxins are located in the skin. Removing the skin, removes the risk
- Buy organic potatoes. Potatoes have the tendency to suck up the toxins from the ground. Since the modern human uses toxins to make foods grown, it’s better to buy organic potatoes that are not drenched in them.
- Green potatoes are bad. They contain saponins, which are toxic. Don’t eat the green ones!
- Potatoes break down to glucose. When you are trying to lose weight, potatoes are definitely banned from the menu.
I’d be very interested to hear what you think about Potatoes and Paleo? Do you eat them? Or avoid them altogether? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Do you Get Enough Cobalt?
Cobalt forms part of the structure of vitamin B12, which makes it an essential dietary mineral. In its inorganic form, cobalt is also an active nutrient for bacteria, algae and fungi, which means that it can help to maintain the balance of the natural bacteria within your body, as well as all of the other bodily functions that it is involved with.
The human body can only absorb cobalt in the form of vitamin B12.
What Does Cobalt Do?
Cobalt is one of the constituent elements of vitamin B12, which makes it essential for us to consume. It is an enzyme catalyst, important for the nervous system and healthy blood cells. Vitamin B12 is also involved with the production of DNA in the body, ensuring that new cells form correctly. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia, which makes sufferers tired and weak, and some mental problems, such as mania and depression.
Some cobalt is stored in the blood supply within the body, where it helps iron absorption and the building of red blood cells. One of the signs of cobalt deficiency is high concentrations of iron in the serum. People suffering from anemia can help their condition by increasing their cobalt intake.
Food Sources of Cobalt
Cobalt is available from both plant and animal sources. Some of the best plant food sources are green leafy vegetables and apricots. Organ meats are a better source of cobalt than muscle, so hearts, kidneys and livers are good foods to boost your cobalt intake. Other cuts of meat do contain cobalt, but in lower quantities.
As cobalt is present in vitamin B12, you can also boost your natural resources with foods that are high in this vitamin. Some of these include:
- Clams, Oysters and Mussels
- Liver
- Fish
- Beef
- Crabs and Lobster
- Lamb
Another, possibly surprising, source of vitamin B12 is the human digestive system. When the bacteria in the human gut has a supply of cobalt and certain other nutrients it can produce vitamin B12. In some cases, this could be sufficient to fulfill the dietary requirements.
Problems with Cobalt Intake
It is difficult to overdose on vitamin B12 – as a water-soluble chemical; any excess will generally pass out of the body. However, it is occasionally possible to ingest too much and this can lead to numbness or tingling in the arms or face. Other symptoms include insomnia, anxiety or rashes. High levels of vitamin B12 can exaggerate certain medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or mitral valve prolapse.
Cobalt is an essential nutrient that is vital for the health of your body and is a major part of vitamin B12 that is all essential to your health. Make sure you eat enough of the foods that contain these to keep your body in its prime. Eat plenty of red meat and seafood to top up your cobalt levels and you will certainly feet better for it.
How are your mineral levels? Have you ever had them checked?
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Why You Should Add More Sulphurous Veggies To Your Diet
I hadn't given much thought to sulphurous veggies, until reading about the Dr. Terry Wahls protocol. Dr Terry Wahls reversed her multiple sclerosis in part, by modifying her diet. She recommends eating 3 cups of leafy greens, 3 cups of antioxidants and 3 cups of sulfurous veggies every day.
What’s so special about sulfur and why should we eat more?
It might smells like rotten eggs, but sulphur is found all throughout our body in the connective tissues such as nerve cells, skin, hair and nails. It’s therefore essential that we can replenish the sulphur in our bodies – and what better way than eating sulfurous veggies?
So which vegetables are good sources of sulphur?
Broccoli
Broccoli is the top vegetable in the list of sulphurous vegetables. This cabbage is rich in the sulfur glucoraphanin. As soon as broccoli is chewed on or cut, the glucoraphanin is transformed into sulforaphane.
Other cabbages
Like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, red cabbage and all the other forms of cabbage, are sulfurous vegetables. They contain organic sulphurous substances and are packed with vitamins.
Vitamin U, or cabagin, can be found in cabbages too, another reason to eat more cabbage. Cabbages are also rich in indoles, which help regulate estrogen metabolism. What is there not to love?!
Garlic
Garlic is probably the most used medicinal plant in history. Garlic works as an anticoagulant, which decreases the silting of platelets and inhibits the formation of blood clots.
Garlic also helps the immune system. The different sulfur compounds have antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal properties.
Asparagus
As well as being a great source of sulphur, asparagus is rich in glutathione.
Other Sulphurous Vegetables
Chicory, endive and onions are also good sources of sulfur.
How to eat more sulfurous veggies?
You can eat these vegetable raw of cooked, so try adding to salads, or using for a green smoothie. Keep you fridge stocked with prepared veggies, to make it easy to add them to your meals.
How much do sulphurous veggies play a role in your diet? Have you tried the Dr Terry Wahls protocol? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Primal Meal Plan
What is a typical day of paleo meals for you? Have you got stuck in a meal plan rut?
Once you get a few favourite recipes under your belt, it’s easy to have the same meal over and over, which can get very boring. Eating repetitively is also depriving your body of nutrients that can be obtained from having a varied diet.
I was really interested to see Mark Sisson, over at Primal Blueprint, has started a primal meal plan program! Every Tuesday, he sends everyone who has signed up an email containing a brand new meal plan, shopping list and recipes for the entire week.
Every day is planned in full, with breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack – the shopping list means you can print it out and can easily make sure you aren't missing any of the key ingredients. The recipes also make good use of the ingredients, meaning you won’t be buying a huge pumpkin – and wasting ¾ of it!
The meal plans provide about 50 – 100 grams of carbs a day (veggies and fruit, with the occasional use of a small amount of raw honey) and about 25% protein.
It’s easy to multiply up the shopping lists and recipes, meaning if you’re cooking for a big family – or like to cook up a big batch to give you extra to freeze and enjoy later – this will be easy to manage.
This seems like a great was to refocus and get some new recipes and ideas into your cooking repertoire. If you’re new to a Paleo diet, this is a great way to get a full introduction to eating primally, with the confidence that all of the foods are 100% approved! It’s also great to give you some inspiration about what to eat at meal times.
If you want to find out more about the Primal Meal Plans – check them out here!
Have you tried a paleo meal plan program? I’d love to hear your thoughts, in the comments below.
