If you love to gorge on middle-eastern delicacies, there is no way you haven’t heard about Tahini! Tahini gets its name from the Arabic word used for ground sesame seeds. It is a thick paste or sauce that is made from roasted ground sesame seeds. This sauce has become a common staple worldwide in many countries like the Middle East, Israel, Turkey, etc.
This sauce is versatile in its usage, as it perfectly complements diverse dishes. It is usually served with salads, grilled meats, falafels as well as the mouth-watering shawarmas. You might wonder since this sauce is made with nutritionally-rich sesame seeds, is it paleo-friendly? Read ahead to find out!
Is Tahini OK On Paleo?
Yes! Tahini is considered to be paleo-friendly. As you might know, the paleo diet, short for the Paleolithic diet, entails consuming those food items which could be found available during the Paleolithic era.
For instance, leafy greens, meat, seeds, nuts, etc., can be seen as paleo food items. It doesn’t involve processed food, grain-based food, or extremely sugar-laden food.
To have a paleo diet is to focus on eating the right food rather than to consume calorie-rich food items. In this regard, seeds and nuts are very paleo-friendly. As Tahini is made with grounded sesame seeds packed with a multitude of nutritional benefits, it is indeed a paleo-friendly food.
Why Is Tahini Paleo?
The foremost reason which makes tahini paleo-friendly is its core ingredient – sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are highly nutritious and healthy. They have been consumed for countless years worldwide, especially in places like the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
This versatile and creamy sauce is obtained by crushing soaked sesame seeds. This separates the bran from the kernel, which is further toasted before being ground into a paste. Sesame seeds, the main ingredient of Tahini, is high in health benefits. It has high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are mostly present as omega-6 fats.
Tahini comes as a paleo-friendly food as it is derived from a super healthy seed. It comes with a wide range of benefits that are given below:
- High presence of Vitamin B6
- Rich in fiber, manganese, calcium, protein, etc.
- Full of antioxidants
Frequently Asked Questions
Should Tahini Be Consumed Daily?
Although Tahini is great for a paleo-diet, it should be consumed in moderation and not daily. Our bodies need the presence of balanced fatty acid composition. Tahini is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, but not omega-3 fatty acid. Hence, excess of Tahini is not recommended.
Is Tahini good for the heart?
Yes! Tahini is an excellent way to ensure a healthy heart. It improves your body’s cholesterol level and lowers the presence of harmful blood serums from your body.
Estelle Russo
Paleo Lover
Hi there! My name is Estelle and I am a Paleo Lover! I like helping other people learn about the health benefits of the paleo diet.