Nuts hard to digest

Hello Sassy, I read an article that you wrote regarding the importance of fats and how to avoid the bad fats. Well, I tried incorporating nuts into my vegan regimen, but for some reason I just feel bad after eating any kind of nuts and I feel that nuts in general may be detrimentally affecting my digestive system.

On the other hand, I don't want to lose the benefits nuts offer especially for dry skin, clear complexion, etc. Would it be bad if I just took nuts out of the diet? Thanks again.

Regards,
Ajit Sakor
Los Angeles, CA

*****
Hi Ajit Firstly, I don't believe it would be detrimental to remove them from your diet. Can your system handle seeds? If so, I recommend you grind some up and add to a daily green leafy salad.

Always look to whole foods for your healthy dose of fats, such as avocado, organic soy, coconuts, olives, and extra-virgin olive oil (used raw, such as on a fresh salad) or coconut oil (stirred into a bit of vegan hot chocolate or chai tea is delish).

But if you would like to continue to use nuts in your cooking, I recommend you soak them in clean water first (I like to soak my nuts overnight). This softens them and helps them to become more easily digested as they have already begun the process of breaking down. xo

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food sensitivities
by: Anonymous

Dear Ajit,

I'm a vegan who can't eat many things, nuts included. Or so I thought for a while, until someone pointed out that it is the fungal growth on shelled nuts that I may be allergic to. I found that nuts that I shell myself are not hard to digest. Roasting them (again) might help too?

I eat them moderately except for cashews which is a seed not a nut. It could also be that nuts you buy are packed/processed in a way that implies contamination with traces of peanut and that it is the only nut you have a sensitivity to. Nuts I buy are contaminated but it does not seem to be what affects me. I also avoid the ones that have additives like TBHQ (some anti-oxidant they add to salted nuts)

Good luck!

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Addicted to Nuts!!
by: Anonymous

I have the same problem! Only I am addicted to nuts, and then I get bloated. I am having a hard time removing them from my diet because I like eating them so much - Especially Almonds, Peanuts, and Cashews. Is it bad that I eat them so much?

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digesting nuts
by: Kim

Hi,

I have a problem with digesting cashews. Within the past two years, every time I eat cashews, within two hours, I bloat up and become very sick, like the stomache bug. This is very odd. I can eat pecans and other nuts, but not cashews.

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Nuts
by: Anonymous

You may have an allergy to cashews, in which case, stay away from them!! Allergies can escalate quickly, and nut allergies can be deadly. See an allergist if you want to be certain. Good luck!

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Ways to Eat Nuts
by: Greg

There are many ways to eat nuts/seeds (and legumes). I prefer to eat them raw for optimal nutrients and enzymes. Many of the nutrients are locked inside of the nut and only available after sprouting. To sprout nuts, soak them in water over night and though you will not see any visible difference, other then swelling, they will have sprouted enough to make them more nutritious, easier to digest, and neutralize any anti-nutrients that may be present. If you like them crispy, hard and dry just dry them in your dehydrater for 10+ hours under 116 degrees until dry. You can do this with legumes as well, though not with so much success. It is better to sprout legumes (beans, ect.) until you see green. Some legumes, such as garbanzo beans, taste terrible when sprouted. You can neutralize this by blanching them for one minute and have them almost raw. You can still cook them, they will still be easier to digest.

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Good info...but still...
by: Sassy

Thanks, Greg. Very helpful for all. :)

If by "legumes" you mean beans, then I am pretty certain they must be cooked first, ESPECIALLY red kidney beans since they contain a toxin that can make people really sick. I don't believe simply soaking or sprouting beans gets rid of this toxin. In other words, it is my understanding beans should never be eaten raw in any form.

Thank you for sharing! xo

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Storage For Nuts/Beans
by: Bob J

I have no room to store either in my frig. Is a dry dark place in air tight containers okay?
Thanks

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Sure, but...
by: Sassy

Hi Bob!

Yes, storing grains and beans in airtight containers outside of the fridge or freezer will work. But for longer-term storage, it is best to vacuum seal. Or simply buy in smaller amounts so you use them up more quickly.

What does "longer-term storage" mean? The rule is for more than a year, but I prefer to use a 6-month rule, especially if you don't know how long those dried foods have been sitting out before purchasing. ;)

Hope this helps,
xo
Sass

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confused ??
by: Anonymous

I am confused by some of the comments. Please straighten me out. I understand that 'nuts' grow on trees, and that peanuts are NOT nuts since they grow under ground. And they are very hard to digest. Also that Any nut would be a seed, because if you put it in the ground, you will grow a tree from that nut.
Just needed some clarification on this. Thanks.
Sassy, I do love your entire site.

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soak your nuts!
by: Catherine

I'm really surprised no one has mentioned phytic acid, lectins or other anti nutrients. This is what is causing the nuts to be undigestible for you.

Soak your nuts for 12-24 hours (each nut has a different time length but most are within this time and cashews no longer than 4 hours), then dehydrate them or put in the overn at a low temperature. This helps remove some of the phytic acid and other anti nutrients that do 1) block the absorption of nutrients and 2) make them not very digestible.

Educate yourself on soaking, sprouting and fermenting all nuts, grains and seeds. It is not difficult, it just takes time. I am coeliac and believe I also react to non gluten grains like quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice etc. I now soak and sprout everything, and it makes them so much better, nutritious and easier to digest.

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Thanks!
by: Sassy

Excellent advice, Catherine. The phytic acid in nuts theory is something that is debated right now. But I do agree that if someone has trouble digesting nuts, soaking or roasting is a good way to go. Thanks so much! :) xo

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Bitters
by: Tim

I have the same problem regarding digesting nuts, I tried soaking them, unfortunately doesn't make much of a difference for me. Realized that my liver's bile production seems to be far from optimal. However when I have some bitters before and after eating any kind of fats (including nuts), I'm fine!

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