Pseudo Grains: are seeds from shrubs or bushy plants, not grasses, and include amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa, and are all gluten free and contain lettle to nil giliadin. Although they taste like grains, Pseudo grains are more closely related to spinach than to rice, and unlike most grains, are a dense source of ‘complete’ proteins, fibre, and are nutrient rich foods that help balance blood sugar levels and keep you fuller for longer. However, Psedo grains do contain carbohydrates and hence should be avoided for the first 5 weeks to 3 months of the Low-carb diet.
Amaranth Seeds |
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Buckwheat – not from the wheat family |
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Quinoa Seed |
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Amaranth: has higher protein content than any other grains and has all essential amino acids. Contains lysine not found in most of the grains. May trigger an allergic reaction from mild to severe in some people.
Buckwheat: rarely causes allergies. Due to its high content of rutin, buckwheat groats (the hulled kernels) are one of the best foods for prevention of varicose veins by strengthening the capillary walls. Protects against conditions caused by venous insufficiency, such as hemorrhoids, cold hands and feet caused by poor circulation, superficial thrombophlebitis and edema. Buckwheat is considered a hypo-allergenic food, meaning that it is low in allergy triggering proteins and therefore unlikely to cause allergies in humans. A Korean study published in the international immunopharmacology suggests that it actually may help alleviate existing allergy conditions perhaps due to its ability to inhibit histamine release and cytokine gene expression in the mast cells.
Quinoa: is not associated with food allergies if it is washed before cooking to remove the saponins in the coat and also the protease inhibitors. Saponins and protease inhibitors prevent proper breakdown of proteins and also damage the pancreas which produce the digestive enzymes that they neutralize. Chronic consumption of protease inhibitors can lead to pancreatic cancers. Quonia needs to be boiled before being eaten. Quinoa also contains phytic acid. Sprouting, roasting and soaking them in water with some lemon juice works to maximize the nutritional availability while activating an enzyme called phytase which reduces phytate/phytic acid content. Quinoa is a rich source of Resistant starches (See-“Glossary- Resistant Starches”)