Starting your Paleo journey can be quite the challenge. Not only is it difficult to break old habits, but it can also be really hard to figure out what is kosher to eat and what isn't. Because oats are known for being a healthy, nutrient-rich food, many wonder if oats work with a Paleo diet. Today we are going to digest exactly how oats work with a Paleo diet. But first, let’s understand what the Paleo diet is:
What is the Paleo diet?
The Paleo diet is known as the caveman diet or stone-age diet, which dates back to the paleolithic era from a couple million years ago. The diet consists of eating foods that could be hunted or gathered, like in the paleolithic era. The paleo diet has been known to have potential health benefits because it’s a way of eating clean and a manner in which a person can lose weight.
What is okay to eat on the Paleo diet?
What you are able to eat on the Paleo diet consist of:
- Lean meats, preferably grass-fed animals
- Fish
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Grains
- Natural oils that are derived from fruits and nuts
Why are Oats not Paleo-friendly?
Although oats are a non-fattening healthy food for a more mainstream diet, oats do contain anti-nutrients that the Paleo diet aims to avoid such as phytic acid, lectins, and avenin. Not only do oats contain a few anti-nutrients, but they are also often contaminated with gluten.
Next, let’s go over exactly what these anti-nutrients are:
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Phytic acid: Very commonly found in grains, nuts, and seeds, and is found in the outer husk of the oat. Phytic acid can prevent your body from absorbing important minerals. Although oats do contain phytic acid, it contains a very little amount especially after being processed.
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Lectins: Lectins are proteins that the oat carries to ward off insects and other pests that can be damaging to the oat. Lectins, when digested, can play a role in the irritation of the digestive tract, causing discomfort.
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Avenin: Avenin is another protein found in the oat. If you have a gluten sensitivity, avenin can irritate your intestinal lining.
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Gluten: Although oats are naturally gluten-free, many oats become contaminated with gluten. This contamination comes from oats being processed in factories where other foods containing gluten are also processed. Gluten can also come from any additives the manufacturer may have included in the packaging.
But I Love Oatmeal! Can I Make it Work?
Honestly, we don’t blame you for loving a warm bowl of oat porridge on an early morning. It truly warms the soul. If you’re anything like us and just can’t imagine your life without oats, don’t worry. It’s not an end all be all situation. There are a couple of things you can do to make your oats more Paleo-friendly.
The first thing is to buy gluten-free oats. If you are having trouble finding gluten-free oats, you can find a wide variety of oats at Oats Overnight that are gluten-free, nutrient-rich, and will be delivered straight to you.
Best Oats to Buy for a Paleo Diet
Oats Overnight offers deliciously nutritious, gluten-free oats that can be modified to work with your Paleo diet. In fact, many people add whey, kefir, or yogurt to their Oats Overnight for an added protein or acidic grain source. Check out our selection here.
