Why You Shouldn't Go Nuts On Nuts
Helpful post from Chris Kresser:
In a previous article, I suggested that nut consumption should be limited or moderated because of the high levels of omega-6 fat many of them contain. But there's another reason you shouldn't make nuts a staple of your diet.One of the main principles of the Paleo diet is to avoid eating grains and legumes because of the food toxins they contain. One of those toxins, phytic acid (a.k.a. phytate), is emphasized as one of the greatest offenders.
But what is often not mentioned in books or websites about the Paleo diet is that nuts are often as high or even higher in phytic acid than grains. In fact, nuts decrease iron absorption even more than wheat bread2. This is ironic because a lot of people on the Paleo diet - who go to great lengths to avoid food toxins - are chowing down nut like they're going out of style.
More on phytic acid at the link.
Huh? I thought nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts contained high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids which are good for you. Was I misinformed?
Also nuts are a good snack because they're one of the few snack foods that don't contain any carbs.
Mike Hunter at June 5, 2012 7:30 AM
There's no such thing as a "toxin." It's a term coined during a lunch break at the 1988 Southwest Region's Snake Oil Sales Convocation in Sarasota.
Crid [CridComment at Gmail] at June 5, 2012 7:35 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/06/05/why_you_shouldn_2.html#comment-3218671">comment from Mike HunterDid you click the links?
Amy Alkon
at June 5, 2012 7:42 AM
No.
Toxins! Also, Male Pattern Baldness! and Cellulite! These are things that kill people except that they never, ever do, except that they're hazards in the environment that are the product of your own bad character except that you can take steps to protect yourself from your own bad choices so long as you remember to feel deep shame, except that...
It couldn't matter any less.
"Toxins!" screamed the self-proclaimed (un-degree'd) chemist to a room full of people who were going to live to a ripe old age no matter what he said to them...
...And they felt shame, and they ducked their chins.
...And they cut him checks.
Crid [CridComment at Gmail] at June 5, 2012 8:45 AM
Sorry, I love me some cashews
lujlp at June 5, 2012 9:40 AM
I like nuts, but for some reason, they whet my appetite, which doesn't do me any good when I'm busy losing weight.
mpetrie98 at June 5, 2012 11:03 AM
I LOVE nuts. I eat them sparingly, and consider them to be much like people on "normal" diets do candy.
I'm not giving up my Brazil nuts. Nuh-uh. No way.
Daghain at June 5, 2012 8:48 PM
> they whet my appetite
Exactly! As a snack they make me want to eat more, but if I eat more of THEM, they're not fulfilling.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at June 5, 2012 9:51 PM
Soaking nuts in salt water gets rid of most of the phytates. Check out Mark's Daily Apple on this. You have to dry out the nuts in oven on low. When I buy nuts I prepare them this way and store them in the cupboard. Doesn't take too long at all.
Rational Reader at June 8, 2012 10:18 PM
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