Nuts contain antinutrients

[fred]

Nuts contain antinutrients (lectins, phytates, enzyme inhibitors,...). They are their defense mechanism. It is why they are hard to digest for many.
I don't understand why nuts are allowed on WaiDiet. At least they should be soaked to minimize the toxins ?

[RRM]

Nuts contain antinutrients (lectins, phytates, enzyme inhibitors,...).

Also fruits contain anti-nutrients, to deter insects, worms etc.
And yet, 'they want to be consumed' by humans and other animals,
because we dont chew on the seeds that they contain and because we can eat and walk on the same time,
so that we spread these seeds by consuming those fruits.
Therefore the kind and level of antinutrients they contain is very mild in comparison to vegetables and grains.
Yes, nuts contain a little bit more than fruits, but it also depends on which nuts.
Brazil nuts and macadamia nuts contain very little for example.
Walnuts and hazelnuts contain more, and other nuts contain much more.
Try for yourself which nuts are easy on you.

They are their defense mechanism

These anti nutrients are just one line of defense.
Their greatest and most powerful line of defense is their shell,
so that they need much less anti nutrients than grains and vegetables, for example.
Because its that shell that deters lots of animals already.
Nuts also 'want to be consumed by animals such as humans', as we (like squirrels) dont eat them on the spot but tend to gather them.
Thus helping to spread those seeds.

[fred]

Nuts also 'want to be consumed by animals such as humans', as we (like squirrels) dont eat them on the spot but tend to gather them.
Thus helping to spread those seeds.

I never though of that this way. So human gathered nuts, but did not eat all of them ?

[RRM]

So human gathered nuts, but did not eat all of them ?

We were hunters and gatherers.
We were always on the move and had to take advantage of every opportunity.
When there were nuts, we gathered and ate as much as we could,
and then carried with us as much as we could.
Surely we must have lost some in the process, which may have become new trees.

[Mr. PC]

Is there any reason *not* to soak nuts? Do you consider it merely not worth the time, since Brazil and Macadamia contain so little anti-nutrients in the first place?

What about the increased benefits of soaking? I've only read good things on the internet about how soaking can multiply the nutrient (absorption?) in the nuts, even protein. I can't remember details though, this was when I first started the diet and I haven't eaten any considerable amount of nuts for maybe 8 months. I'd like to know RRM's opinion on this [soaking] though. A lot of raw foodists seem to be big on it, but not in the Wai diet.

[RRM]

Is there any reason *not* to soak nuts?

Soaking increases coliform numbers; its like making a culture.
(coliform includes enterobacter, E. coli etc)
So, it may result in some gastro-intestinal issues.

Do you consider it merely not worth the time, since Brazil and Macadamia contain so little anti-nutrients in the first place?

Yes, unless you experience difficulty digesting those nuts.

What about the increased benefits of soaking?

There are benefits, indeed, but also disadvantages,
and given that this diet is so high in nutrients already,
we dont need to.
Just stick to those nuts that are low in anti-nutrients.

[balbazor]

Hi, I dont feel like consuming egg yolks and fish anymore, is it safe to eat 16 brazil nuts each day?

[martianwarrior]

I dont feel like consuming egg yolks and fish anymore, is it safe to eat 16 brazil nuts each day?

too much selenium.
a handful a day is typically considered safe for daily consumption. i usually only eat 5 or 6 a day and i do not eat them every day.

is there a specific reason why you don't want to eat eggs or fish?

[balbazor]

Hi, thanks for the reply, I have been experimenting with raw food and wai för 1.5 years now, and i find that i feel the best when i cut out animal food completely.

Yes, its the selenium quantity i am thinking of. Is this really an issue? I´v heard of people drinking Lots of cocunut milk every day, that´s got 10x the amount... Has any1 on this forum experienced Selenium problems?

I get blurry vision sometimes after eating egg yolks, an1 else?

/Magnus from sweden

[RRM]

i find that i feel the best when i cut out animal food completely.

1.5 years of experimentation is not long.
If you cut out animal food for a longer period of time,
in the end you will get issues due to low B12 levels, probably vitamin D
and zinc and iron.
The low cholesterol levels will also make you feel less good eventually.
Whats your problem with consuming raw fish / egg yolks?

Yes, its the selenium quantity i am thinking of. Is this really an issue? I´v heard of people drinking Lots of cocunut milk every day, that´s got 10x the amount...

After a while your body adapts, indeed, and then the selenium might be ok.
But its not just about selenium, but also about phytic acid and natural radioactivity.
(the rainforest is naturally radioactive, and thats where the nuts come from)
viewtopic.php?t=1630
A handful of Brazil nuts is safe, though.

I get blurry vision sometimes after eating egg yolks, an1 else?

Thats probably because you are lacking something that egg yolks contain abundantly.
Try eating lots of egg yolks daily, and the blurry vision will definitely go away.

[Kookaburra]

(the rainforest is naturally radioactive, and thats where the nuts come from)

Is there a nuclear plant near the rainforest? What makes it radioactive?

[RRM]

Naturally radioactive.
Radioactivity is also a natural phenomenon that is the result of massive decay of matter.
(lots of plants / trees in the rainforest; lots of decay)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactivity

The root system of the Brazil nut tree is extensive,
soaking up all the radium naturally prsent in the soil.

Regarding selenium.
If the body cannot sufficiently decrease the uptake of selenium, selenosis may occur.
Symptoms: bloating, diarrhea, hair loss, white spotty nails, bad breath,
fatigue, irritability, and mild nerve damage.

[Kookaburra]

If the body cannot sufficiently decrease the uptake of selenium

If the body can decrease the uptake of Vitamin C, why can't it adjust the uptake of selenium?

[RRM]

Please read carefully.
This time i wrote "If the body cannot sufficiently decrease the uptake of selenium".
So, yes it can adjust the uptake of selenium, but if the increase in selenium is too sudden,
that adaptation may not suffice.
Once you are used to such high selenium intakes, the body probably can adjust the uptake ratio accordingly.

[Jodiat]

The Brazil nuts are being over harvested right now and they are doing studies to see how it can be sustained. They have found new trees growing along the trade routes where nuts have fallen out!

If you worried about radioactivity of the nuts then I wouldnt be alarmed unless you are eating the shells which is where nearly all of it is. Which is a given because the shell is inedible.