Dr. Steven Gundry, a renowned heart surgeon, is the host of The Dr. Gundry Podcast, where he discusses how certain vegetables can cause weight gain. According to Dr. Gundry, some vegetables that are considered healthy can be harmful if cooked in a certain way. We will explore Dr. Gundry's insights on this topic.
Corn: Enemy Number One
Dr. Gundry starts with corn, which he says is one of the vegetables that cause weight gain. He explains that corn is a high-starch, high-sugar food that is often genetically modified and sprayed with glyphosate. Glyphosate is one of the best ways to cause leaky gut and weight gain. Additionally, corn is loaded with lectins, which can be toxic. He notes that traditional cultures knew how to handle corn by treating it with lye to make it less toxic and to bind the nitrogen-binding compounds.
He recommends using hominy or masa flour, which is made from hominy, as an alternative.
Potatoes: High Glycemic Index and Lectin Bombs
Dr. Gundry also warns against potatoes, which have a high glycemic index, meaning they turn into sugar quickly. He notes that the more you make the potato light and fluffy, the higher its glycemic index. Potatoes are also lectin bombs, meaning they contain toxic lectins. While you can substitute white potatoes with yams, purple sweet potatoes, or regular sweet potatoes to reduce the lectin content, he warns against confusing purple potatoes with purple sweet potatoes.
Starchy Vegetables and Weight Gain
Dr. Gundry warns against eating starchy vegetables when trying to lose weight because they contain long sugar molecules that are hard to break down. He notes that chips made from cassava, plantain, or sweet potatoes are not healthy snacks as they are rapidly broken down by digestive enzymes and turned into sugar, leading to weight gain and other health issues.
Alternatives to Starchy Vegetables
Dr. Gundry recommends raw carrots, celery, and jicama as alternatives to starchy vegetables. Jicama is easy to prepare and can be purchased pre-packaged. He suggests dipping jicama sticks in guacamole without tomatoes. He also recommends using sweet potatoes, yams, or purple sweet potatoes as a substitute for white potatoes.
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Cooked Beets and Carrots: A Potential Source of Sugar
Dr. Gundry explains that cooked beets and carrots can be turned into sugary foods that should be avoided. He highlights that cooked beets have a high sugar content and slicing them before cooking can make them even worse. Similarly, cooking carrots can make them sugary and difficult to break down. Dr. Gundry suggests using raw beets and carrots instead of cooked ones, as they do not contain readily available sugars.
Healthy Foods Turned Unhealthy
Dr. Gundry also talks about how healthy foods like plantains, cassava, and sweet potatoes have been turned into unhealthy options. He explains that deep-frying these healthy foods and making their sugars readily available has made them unhealthy. Dr. Gundry suggests avoiding these unhealthy options, and if used, they should be used as dipping chips to consume healthy food like tahini or guacamole.
Honey Nut Cheerios: Not as Healthy as They Seem
Dr. Gundry highlights that even cereals like Honey Nut Cheerios, which are marketed as healthy, have a high sugar content. He explains that Honey Nut Cheerios contain 12 grams of added sugar, which can contribute to weight gain.
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Dr. Gundry's insights on vegetables that can cause weight gain highlight the importance of choosing the right cooking methods and food options. He suggests using raw vegetables instead of cooked ones, and avoiding unhealthy options that have been marketed as healthy. By following Dr. Gundry's advice, individuals can make healthier choices and avoid foods that can cause weight gain.