Pseudograins: What Are They?

Pseudograins are the starchy seeds of broad-leafed plants (compared to grains which are the fruits or seeds of grasses).  They are not included on the Paleo Diet due to their saponin content (see Are Pseudograins Pseudobad? and How Do Grains, Legumes and Dairy Cause a Leaky Gut? Part 2: Saponins and Protease Inhibitors).

Pseudograins include:

• amaranth
• buckwheat
• quinoa
• chia (chia doesn’t seem to have the same negative effects of other pseudograins, see Are Pseudograins Pseudobad?)

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