The nightshade family of plants (scientific name: Solanaceae family) consists of a number of common agricultural crops including tomatoes and potatoes.
Nightshade plants are high enough in toxins to cause inflammation in the body, especially in anyone suffering from an autoimmune disease. You might be surprised at how many foods belong to the nightshade family and how many you may consume on a daily basis.
The following are all examples of nightshades:
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Tomatillos
• Eggplants
• Pimentos
• Pepinos
• Tamarillos
• Goji berries
• Peppers
• Red pepper seasonings (curry, cayenne, chili powder, paprika, etc.)
• Ground cherries
• Tobacco
If you’ve been advised to avoid nightshades, you have to watch labels, too, because “natural flavors” or “spices” may indicate hidden nightshades. “Starch” on labels in many cases also means potatoes.
Peppercorns and sweet potatoes are NOT nightshades.
If you suffer from arthritis, digestive issues, gout, or nerve-muscle pain, try cutting out nightshades and take note of how you feel after thirty days. Then go whole hog and stuff yourself with nightshades. You’ll know pretty soon if you have a sensitivity to these troublemakers of the food world!
Have you tried our Dinner Answers program yet? It offers weekly menus for many different eating styles!