EXCELLENT example of why peanuts are garbage

[Greg Battaglia]

I've been on a mass-gaining phase of training and have recently decided to up the cals from fat sources. Well, this has proven to be quite expensive on a Paleo diet so I turned to natural peanut butter as a means to rack up the cals without going broke. I figured "ehh, peanuts may not be Paleo, but they're still "natural", I could do a lot worse. Plus, it's only a short amount of time" or so I thought. Well, let's just say that 2 days ago I ate a half jar of peanut butter to get some extra cals in, and the results were not pretty. At first, I felt fine, and thought to myself "man, peanuts really aren't all that bad after all!". The hell didn't begin until the next morning when I woke up with SEVERE diarrhea (I'll spare you the details) and a throbbing headache. My stomach felt like I had just eaten an entire watermelon by myself and I couldn't stop burping up this awful peanut flavor. Additionally, I couldn't workout for the life of me. I felt like I had energy, but my stomach would not stop turning, and I was certain that I would vomit if I continued. Sleep last night sucked, and I still have a bad stomach ache today and feel itchy all over my body. I feel sort of as though I have a hangover today and really didn't have it in me to workout. I tried to do some interval heavy bag work, but got winded after the second round, which never happens. I'm suspecting that I had an allergic reaction, despite the fact that I have never been allergic to peanuts before a Paleo diet. This is the first time I've cheated on a paleo diet in a LONG time, so that may have something to do with it. Take home message: Leave the peanuts to the squirrels, Paleo all the way! Any other non-paleo horror stories?

[Jacob Rowell]

I'd be interested to hear some other's experiences. I ate a ton of peanuts every day on mass gain, as much as a pound on some days. I did fine for the most part, maybe a little sluggish. Not doubting that peanuts aren't the best thing for you, but I wonder what caused such a violent reaction? Like you said, I'm sure a peanut allergy is a possibility.

[Garrett Smith]

Greg and Jacob,
Have fun Googling "peanut aflatoxin". That should entertain you a while!

[Steve Liberati]

In Cordain's, "Dietary Cure for Acne" peanuts are number one on the list of foods to avoid. Something about high pectin (protein which is very difficult for the body to digest) levels blocking follicules, causing inflammation and break outs.

No wonder it is considered the poor man's protein. Right up there with sugar, bread and flour in terms of quality.

[Greg Battaglia]

Steve, that probably explains it. Thanks for that tidbit.

Dr. G, I'll check that out. I did some reading about aflatoxin a ways back, but don't recall any specific reactions caused by it other than liver damage. I'm interested to see if that's what screwed me up.

[Tony Ferous]

Greg, i had a similar experience 12 months back, with 1/2 jar of organinc PB , havnt eaten peanut butter since, its not worth it.
I have eaten roasted peanuts in small quantities since though, without the explosive effects.

Try tahini/sesame butter maybe, similar consistancy, i think its too high in omega 6 for me though.

[Mike ODonnell]

Peanuts make me feel like crap.....so hence....no need for them.

[Scott Clark]

Originally Posted by Garrett Smith

Greg and Jacob,
Have fun Googling "peanut aflatoxin". That should entertain you a while!

My God that is some disturbing stuff.

[John Alston]

Man, I just don't want to believe this. Say it ain't so!