Soaking Nuts

[Guest guest]

I was wondering the same thing. I've read that soaking, sprouting

and fermenting grains, nuts and produce makes them more digestible

by various means. Also, the fact that it increases the microbial

load does not necessarily mean it increases the 'bad microbes'. In

fact, advocates for raw food diets suggest that these things help to

balance the guts flora. Anyone have any input? For now, I too, am

adhering very closely to the SCD. I don't think my son could handle

ANY grains (among other things) @ this time. I also read that raw

cashews are better than roasted. Does this have anything to do with

roasting changing the carbohydrates in the cashew?

> Hi,

>

> I'm quoting an earlier email here:

>

> " [Elaine] feels that soaking the nuts will increase their

microbial load.

> Not good for those of us dealing with nasty microbes. "

>

> My question: Does Elaine " feel " this? Or has she researched

this?

> Or has she inferred this from other observations, or what? I have

a

> lot of respect for what she is doing, but I always try to be

careful

> to sort out the edges of knowledge.

>

> The raw foods diet, of which one can find info on the web, has

> significant cross-over with the SCDiet. They soak nuts and then

grind

> them up. They claim that doing so (soaking) removes an enzyme

> inhibitor, and further, that soaking nuts is actually starting to

> sprout them, thus they are a living food, and also, are easier to

> digest. I'm not explaining this very well. I'm not trying to

> advocate this point of view either. And I don't know if anybody in

> the raw foods side of things has done any research.

>

> When I did the raw foods diet, I soaked nuts, and comparatively, I

> found them more tolerable than unsoaked. But since I've started

the

> SCDiet, for now I'm sticking strictly to Elaine's advice since I'm

at

> the beginning of the diet. Maybe in a few months I'll try soaking

> again.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was wondering the same thing. I've read that soaking, sprouting

and fermenting grains, nuts and produce makes them more digestible

by various means. Also, the fact that it increases the microbial

load does not necessarily mean it increases the 'bad microbes'. In

fact, advocates for raw food diets suggest that these things help to

balance the guts flora. Anyone have any input? For now, I too, am

adhering very closely to the SCD. I don't think my son could handle

ANY grains (among other things) @ this time. I also read that raw

cashews are better than roasted. Does this have anything to do with

roasting changing the carbohydrates in the cashew?

> Hi,

>

> I'm quoting an earlier email here:

>

> " [Elaine] feels that soaking the nuts will increase their

microbial load.

> Not good for those of us dealing with nasty microbes. "

>

> My question: Does Elaine " feel " this? Or has she researched

this?

> Or has she inferred this from other observations, or what? I have

a

> lot of respect for what she is doing, but I always try to be

careful

> to sort out the edges of knowledge.

>

> The raw foods diet, of which one can find info on the web, has

> significant cross-over with the SCDiet. They soak nuts and then

grind

> them up. They claim that doing so (soaking) removes an enzyme

> inhibitor, and further, that soaking nuts is actually starting to

> sprout them, thus they are a living food, and also, are easier to

> digest. I'm not explaining this very well. I'm not trying to

> advocate this point of view either. And I don't know if anybody in

> the raw foods side of things has done any research.

>

> When I did the raw foods diet, I soaked nuts, and comparatively, I

> found them more tolerable than unsoaked. But since I've started

the

> SCDiet, for now I'm sticking strictly to Elaine's advice since I'm

at

> the beginning of the diet. Maybe in a few months I'll try soaking

> again.

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

>

> I was wondering the same thing. I've read that soaking, sprouting

> and fermenting grains, nuts and produce makes them more digestible

> by various means. Also, the fact that it increases the microbial

> load does not necessarily mean it increases the 'bad microbes'. In

> fact, advocates for raw food diets suggest that these things help to

> balance the guts flora. Anyone have any input? For now, I too, am

> adhering very closely to the SCD. I don't think my son could handle

> ANY grains (among other things) @ this time. I also read that raw

> cashews are better than roasted. Does this have anything to do with

> roasting changing the carbohydrates in the cashew?

>

What you have read may apply to other dietary protocols, but it does not apply

to SCD.

We do not soak nuts as it can foster growth of bacteria and mold. Elaine has

asked that we do not do this and of course grain is not permitted on SCD. There

are some fermented vegetables that can be used. Raw foods can play a role in

the diet later but we always start with peeled, seeded cooked fruits and

vegetables until the gut begins to heal. Probiotics and yogurt help the

intestinal flora.

Raw cashew is SCD legal instead of commercial roasted variety, often dusted

with starch. You can roast the raw cashew at home.

Carol F.

SCD 4years, Celiac

[Guest guest]

>

>

> I was wondering the same thing. I've read that soaking, sprouting

> and fermenting grains, nuts and produce makes them more digestible

> by various means. Also, the fact that it increases the microbial

> load does not necessarily mean it increases the 'bad microbes'. In

> fact, advocates for raw food diets suggest that these things help to

> balance the guts flora. Anyone have any input? For now, I too, am

> adhering very closely to the SCD. I don't think my son could handle

> ANY grains (among other things) @ this time. I also read that raw

> cashews are better than roasted. Does this have anything to do with

> roasting changing the carbohydrates in the cashew?

>

What you have read may apply to other dietary protocols, but it does not apply

to SCD.

We do not soak nuts as it can foster growth of bacteria and mold. Elaine has

asked that we do not do this and of course grain is not permitted on SCD. There

are some fermented vegetables that can be used. Raw foods can play a role in

the diet later but we always start with peeled, seeded cooked fruits and

vegetables until the gut begins to heal. Probiotics and yogurt help the

intestinal flora.

Raw cashew is SCD legal instead of commercial roasted variety, often dusted

with starch. You can roast the raw cashew at home.

Carol F.

SCD 4years, Celiac

[Guest guest]

> Carol,

>

> I have a questions about cashews. Am I understanding you correctly in

> that the only cashews we can buy have to be raw? What about cashew

> butter does it have to be made with raw cashews? Does this only apply

> to cashews and no other nuts?

There has been previous discussion on this.

Some people had confidence in cashew butter made with roasted cashew. I got sick

from it. I stick to raw cashew nuts and don't even bother to roast them at home

but I add them to stir fries etc. The probability of cashew being dusted with

starch seems to apply to nuts that are sold for eating and we use only raw

cashew on SCD . I would appreciate further information from others on this

Sheri. Personally I am able to tolerate peanut butter so use that for baking and

pancakes as it is less costly and very tasty. But many here find cashew butter

to be the richest, tastiest and better tolerated than almond butter. I am kind

of tap dancing around this and am afraid haven't been much help :-)

Carol F.

SCD 4 yrs., celiac

[Guest guest]

> Carol,

>

> I have a questions about cashews. Am I understanding you correctly in

> that the only cashews we can buy have to be raw? What about cashew

> butter does it have to be made with raw cashews? Does this only apply

> to cashews and no other nuts?

There has been previous discussion on this.

Some people had confidence in cashew butter made with roasted cashew. I got sick

from it. I stick to raw cashew nuts and don't even bother to roast them at home

but I add them to stir fries etc. The probability of cashew being dusted with

starch seems to apply to nuts that are sold for eating and we use only raw

cashew on SCD . I would appreciate further information from others on this

Sheri. Personally I am able to tolerate peanut butter so use that for baking and

pancakes as it is less costly and very tasty. But many here find cashew butter

to be the richest, tastiest and better tolerated than almond butter. I am kind

of tap dancing around this and am afraid haven't been much help :-)

Carol F.

SCD 4 yrs., celiac

[Guest guest]

> Carol,

>

> I have a questions about cashews. Am I understanding you correctly in

> that the only cashews we can buy have to be raw? What about cashew

> butter does it have to be made with raw cashews? Does this only apply

> to cashews and no other nuts?

There has been previous discussion on this.

Some people had confidence in cashew butter made with roasted cashew. I got sick

from it. I stick to raw cashew nuts and don't even bother to roast them at home

but I add them to stir fries etc. The probability of cashew being dusted with

starch seems to apply to nuts that are sold for eating and we use only raw

cashew on SCD . I would appreciate further information from others on this

Sheri. Personally I am able to tolerate peanut butter so use that for baking and

pancakes as it is less costly and very tasty. But many here find cashew butter

to be the richest, tastiest and better tolerated than almond butter. I am kind

of tap dancing around this and am afraid haven't been much help :-)

Carol F.

SCD 4 yrs., celiac

[Guest guest]

I realize I might not be gaining alot of favour raising this topic again,

but I am asking a sincere question and I'd really appreciate a

respectful response.

What is Elaine basing her advise on, when she says to avoid soaking nuts?

(Is it based on looking at nuts under a microscope, anecdotal

evidence, or what?)

I have a high regard for Elaine's work. Every other thing about the

diet, I am aware of the science behind it. I'd really appreciate

knowing what the science is behind the nuts. (Especially since nuts

are such a centre piece to most of us on the diet.) I don't like to

be told just to accept something with blind faith.

Elain's diet is scientifically based, and that's what gives it

credibility. It has made a real difference to my life already, and

I'm extremely thankful. Please don't brand me as a troublemaker. I

would appreciate being able to ask a sincere question on this listserv

and to recieve a respectful response in return. I'd even accept an " I

don't know. "

scd 2 months, asd, 33 years old

[Guest guest]

I realize I might not be gaining alot of favour raising this topic again,

but I am asking a sincere question and I'd really appreciate a

respectful response.

What is Elaine basing her advise on, when she says to avoid soaking nuts?

(Is it based on looking at nuts under a microscope, anecdotal

evidence, or what?)

I have a high regard for Elaine's work. Every other thing about the

diet, I am aware of the science behind it. I'd really appreciate

knowing what the science is behind the nuts. (Especially since nuts

are such a centre piece to most of us on the diet.) I don't like to

be told just to accept something with blind faith.

Elain's diet is scientifically based, and that's what gives it

credibility. It has made a real difference to my life already, and

I'm extremely thankful. Please don't brand me as a troublemaker. I

would appreciate being able to ask a sincere question on this listserv

and to recieve a respectful response in return. I'd even accept an " I

don't know. "

scd 2 months, asd, 33 years old

[Guest guest]

I realize I might not be gaining alot of favour raising this topic again,

but I am asking a sincere question and I'd really appreciate a

respectful response.

What is Elaine basing her advise on, when she says to avoid soaking nuts?

(Is it based on looking at nuts under a microscope, anecdotal

evidence, or what?)

I have a high regard for Elaine's work. Every other thing about the

diet, I am aware of the science behind it. I'd really appreciate

knowing what the science is behind the nuts. (Especially since nuts

are such a centre piece to most of us on the diet.) I don't like to

be told just to accept something with blind faith.

Elain's diet is scientifically based, and that's what gives it

credibility. It has made a real difference to my life already, and

I'm extremely thankful. Please don't brand me as a troublemaker. I

would appreciate being able to ask a sincere question on this listserv

and to recieve a respectful response in return. I'd even accept an " I

don't know. "

scd 2 months, asd, 33 years old

[Guest guest]

> I realize I might not be gaining alot of favour raising this topic again,

> but I am asking a sincere question and I'd really appreciate a

> respectful response.

>

> What is Elaine basing her advise on, when she says to avoid soaking nuts?

> (Is it based on looking at nuts under a microscope, anecdotal

> evidence, or what?)

Soaking nuts may foster the growth of mold and bacteria.

We all seem to want to question certain SCD legal and restricted items as many

of us come to the diet and the list with a history of learning about alternative

medicine and other so called healthy diets. Those diets may be healthy for

people who don't have damaged guts or a bad gut/brain connection but things on

them can affect us adversely.

I stopped questioning somewhere in my second year on SCD and just put my money

on Elaine's horse :-)

Carol F.

SCD 4years, celiac

[Guest guest]

cfrilegh wrote:

>

> Soaking nuts may foster the growth of mold and bacteria.

Hi Carol,

I asked about this before. When I have soaked my nuts I see no evidence

of mold or bacteria. (The water is both salty and acidic according to

what I understand to be traditional practices.) Do you have any

evidence that this is a problem, or is it just speculation? And do you

or Elaine have any rebuttal to the arguments in favor of soaking nuts?

(That soaking makes them more digestible and the nutrients more available.)

>

> I stopped questioning somewhere in my second year on SCD and just put

> my money on Elaine's horse :-)

That's the best approach for you and for many others I'm sure. But if

the diet is based on science then the reasons why items are included or

excluded should be freely available to all and subject to empirical

verification, challenge, etc. No one is infallible, not even Elaine.

The premise of science is that claims are falsifiable, testable, and

subject to revision by new information. Claims that rest on a single

authority aren't scientific, they're religious, or quasi-religious. And

I'll add that as a matter of general principle, I think telling people

not to think for themselves, or to accept that x is true just because y

said so (whoever y is), is a bad idea!

I can understand the desire to limit or eliminate debate on a list like

this, and I won't debate the issue. Like , I just want a full

understanding of why soaking nuts is not recommended on SCD so that I

can weigh the competing perspectives and make up my own mind about what

I want to do for myself. I agree that when nuts are consumed in such

large quantities, and for people who already have digestive problems,

the issue of soaking is important. If I recall correctly, Elaine said

on this issue that soaking would be too much trouble for many people. I

can understand that, but I don't find it to be too much trouble for me.

So I would like to know what other reasons there are for not soaking and

what the scientific/evidentiary basis is for those concerns. If you

don't know of any, and assuming Elaine isn't available to provide more

information, then I'll just have to make my decision without full

information. But I would hope that asking for such information is not

seen as unreasonable or running counter to the principles of the diet.

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

,

I went to a raw food cooking class in December of 2003. One of the demonstrated

recipes was a raw nut loaf. The nuts had been soaked prior to preparation.

I mentioned this on the list and also to Elaine. It was then that she told

me, ( and I posted) that soaking nuts can foster mold and bacterial growth.

I am not sure if her response which you quoted was posted before December

2003 and I may have gotten that quote from her wb site or the old " Elaine'

s Children " list but I haven't soaked raw nuts since. Sure wanted to make

that nut loaf though! I ate some and was duly affected the next day.

Carol F

Toronto , Celiac SCD 4 years