The less processed the oat, the more protection you can receive from metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Oats are high in lectin and phytic acids, which may cause GI issues and affect absorption.
Which foods are high in lectins? Lectin-containing foods include nightshades, like tomatoes and potatoes; vegetables with seeds, like squash and cucumbers; grains including wheat, rice, and oats; and legumes, including non-pressure-cooked beans, split peas, and lentils.
There are three ancient grains considered lectin-free and gluten-free: sorghum, millet, and teff. Although we don't know them that well in the western world, they are common crops in Africa and Asia and staples for billions of people worldwide.
While bananas do contain lectins, they are not considered to be a major source of lectins. Bananas are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also low in calories and fat. Lectin is a protein that is found in the pulp of ripe bananas and plantains.
Foods including grains, particularly whole wheat, beans and legumes, nuts, aubergines, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, dairy products and eggs contain lectins - which doesn't leave an awful lot left to eat.
For many artisan sourdough breads, while the "leaven" is certainly fermented, often the dough is not, or isn't fermented long enough. So even some artisan sourdough breads still contain lectins.
Millet is a gluten-free and lectin-free grain, and it is high in protein, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and lots of fiber that our gut bugs love.
Cooking, especially with wet high-heat methods like boiling or stewing, or soaking in water for several hours, can inactivate most lectins. [6] Lectins are water-soluble and typically found on the outer surface of a food, so exposure to water removes them.
Symptoms of Lectin Sensitivity
These include: Digestive problems: the most common symptoms of food sensitivity, these can present as bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and flatulence [R, R].
Contrary to what some people have heard, blueberries do not contain lectins. There's a catch though: blueberries are highly seasonal, and are best consumed fresh and local. Berries that come from overseas (like Chile and Peru) were almost certainly picked underripe, which means they could contain lectins.
Food Sensitivities to Oats/Grains/Gluten
If you have a food sensitivity to either oats or grains/gluten, you may not tolerate oats well. Your body may heighten the immune system response causing low-grade chronic inflammation. In that case, yes, oats are inflammatory.
Oats can cause gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount. Your body will get used to oat bran and the side effects will likely go away.
Are you experiencing bloating and gas after eating oats? That's because oats are packed with fiber (up to 5 grams per cup), which can be tough for the gut to break down. Your body and gut bacteria may need some time to adjust to this high level of fiber, leading to discomfort. Don't fret – this is a common reaction!
Seeds: Lectins are contained in the seeds and skins of fruits and vegetables, so avoid pumpkin, sunflower, and chia seeds. Cow's Milk: As a reminder from chapter 2, almost all products from cow's milk contain a lectin-like protein called casein A-1, so avoid ice cream, yogurt (even Greek yogurt), and cheese.
Food with less or no lectins are meats (grass-fed), fish, seafood, poultry, meat without soy, sheep and dairy products, cruciferous veggies, avocado, celery, and broccoli, sweet potatoes, and nuts and seeds.
Low in lectins: Sweet potatoes are low in anti-nutrients, like the protein toxins, lectins and patatin. Lectins are tied directly to inflammation and autoimmune reactions in your body. Low glycemic index: The sugar content in sweet potatoes is low in both fructose and glucose.
Lectin is a carbohydrate-binding protein that can be found in varying amounts in most plants, including beans, pulses, grains, fruits and vegetables (eg, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots, berries, watermelon), nuts, coffee, chocolate, and some herbs and spices (eg, peppermint, marjoram, nutmeg).
Chicken contains a Blood Type B agglutinating lectin in its muscle tissue.
Chickpea is a protein rich edible legume with several bioactive compounds that includes lectin as well.
Lectins are found in all foods, but wheat and other whole grains have the highest concentrations. The current belief is that whole grain bread is good because it contains fibre, minerals and B vitamins, but when you eat grains and seeds intact, you are eating the outer shell of the grain that holds all the lectins!