New Zealand Listener

Pointing the finger

Question:

Seeking dietary advice, I was directed to Dr Steven Gundry’s The Plant Paradox. He claims to have transformed countless lives, but his list of foods to avoid includes a raft of vegetables, grains, legumes, dairy products and vegetable oils. This seems to fly in the face of many other advisers.

Answer:

Steven Gundry’s book recommends a lectin-free diet for health. But despite the claimed benefits,lectins? He recommends avoiding foods high in this plant-based protein that binds to carbohydrates. He claims they disrupt cellular communication and cause inflammation, harming the gut and leading to various health issues and weight gain. However, because they are found in a wide range of food groups – such as beans, legumes, vegetables, dairy products, seeds and nuts – avoiding lectins means severely restricting your food intake.

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