Lectin, have you heard of it? Lectins are plant proteins which are a hot topic discussed by many medical professionals in relation to both their positive and negative health implications. But what exactly are lectins? What are lectin foods and what benefit is there in eating a diet which is based on lectin free foods? We’ve summarised 3 things to know about lectin foods and lectin free foods below, so read on.
What is lectin?
Lectin is a sugar-binding protein that attaches to cell membranes. Within the body, lectins have a role to play when it comes to:
- Cell development
- Communication between cells
- Immune system support
Although there are many different types of lectins, some lectins are not all sunshine and rainbows. For example, in red kidney beans, you can find a lectin known as phytohemagglutinin which, if theses legumes are not cooked properly, can result in red kidney bean poisoning.
Attention to the number of lectins in your diet may be necessary, especially if you experience Leaky Gut Syndrome or an auto-immune disease, and some health professionals believe lectins may be a key contributor to slower weight loss.
Which foods are lectin foods?
Grains, legumes, and vegetables from the nightshade family are the three main categories of lectin foods. An example list of some of these common lectin foods include:
- Grains
- Corn and corn fed meats
- A1 milk
- Peanuts
- Cashews
- Soybeans
- Red kidney beans
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes (excluding sweet potatoes)
- Eggplant
- Capsicums
- Squash
- Pumpkins
- Peas
Lectin-free foods
The Total Body Reboot diet programs focus on food lists and recipes that favour lectin free foods. This is due to claims by some health professionals that foods high in lectins can slow down an already lethargic metabolism.
A shopping list full of lectin free foods could look like:
- Grass-fed lean meats
- Sweet potatoes
- Leafy, green vegetables such as spinach and kale
- Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and brussel sprouts
- Asparagus
- Garlic
- Celery
- Mushrooms
- Avocado
- Olives
- Extra virgin olive oil
At Total Body Reboot, our weight loss programs provide a professionally developed calorie intake as well as advice on the variety of foods and nutritional supplements that you should be consuming to help shed weight rapidly and keep it off. For more information, get in touch with one of our Personal Health Educators today.
