Is Mesquite Bean Flour Paleo?

As popular foods become more processed, and fancy health foods become more expensive, some people are looking to the wisdom of ancient humans to decide what to eat.

If you’re a follower of the Paleo diet, you’re probably already health-conscious and thoughtful about your food choices. To help you figure out whether or not to include our gluten-free, nutritious Mesquite Bean Flour in your Paleo diet, Cappadona Ranch has gathered everything you need to know.

What Is the Paleo Diet?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a Paleo diet is an eating plan based on the foods eaten by ancient humans, particularly throughout the Paleolithic era, hence the name. Essentially, this would mean eating food that would have been accessible and edible roughly 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago.

Paleo diets are typically based on lean meats, fruits, veggies, fish, nuts, and seeds. While these foods were accessible to hunter-gatherer societies, foods that require farming, like dairy products and grains, are not typically allowed in a Paleo diet regimen.

Mesquite Bean Flour: An Ancient Source of Protein

In truth, every Paleo eater is unique, and different balances of meats and carbohydrates will work for different people. Because of this variation, while certain people might not want to include mesquite bean flour in their Paleo diet, other Paleo adherents think this gluten-free, ancient carbohydrate is a no-brainer for eaters looking to return to the eating habits of early humans.

After all, carbon dating has shown mesquite bean flour was consumed about 10,000 years ago.

Unlike traditional wheat flour, mesquite bean flour was accessible to indigenous Americans and traditional agricultural societies in Asia. In fact, according to mesquite bean expert Peter Felke r, Ph.D., mesquite bean flour was the preferred source of protein to indigenous peoples where it was harvested. These ancient humans would gather bean pods, (not the seeds), and grind them into flour to make nutritious “cakes.” Felker argues that the removal of the seeds makes mesquite bean flour even more palatable for Paleo diets.

However, it’s worth noting that not everyone agrees with Felker. For instance, while the founder of the Paleo Diet, Loren Cordain, Ph.D., recognized the long history and nutritious content of mesquite bean flour, he believes more traditional Paleo foods like eggs and organ meats would be a better source for those nutrients.

Health Benefits of Mesquite Bean Flour for Health Conscious Eaters

Given that there are disputes in support of and in opposition to including mesquite bean flour in your Paleo diet, the choice is one that each Paleo follower will need to make for themselves. Nevertheless, there are countless health benefits and advantages to adding this superfood to your Paleo routine.

First of all, let’s consider how mesquite bean flour is produced. Much like the ancient indigenous American cultures who lived in the area before, Cappadona Ranch harvests mesquite bean pods for their flour, not the seeds. With this in mind, Felker suggests that mesquite bean flour is free of the trypsin inhibitors, flatulence-producing triglycerides, and other “issues” commonly found in seeds. Low triglyceride intake is cited as one of the biggest benefits of the Paleo diet.

Another important thing worth mentioning about mesquite bean flour is its high protein and fiber content. According to the Mayo Clinic, Paleo diet followers may be lacking sources of both fiber and protein due to their avoidance of dairy and grains.

Enrich Your Paleo Diet with Tasty Mesquite Bean Flour

If you’re a follower of the Paleo Diet, we at Cappadona Ranch bet that you’ll love our Mesquite Bean Flour for its low-sugar and high-fiber content. Plus, the caramelly goodness of our flour adds a delicious twist to any baked goods, and the protein-packed powder can be used in your smoothies for a pre-workout boost!

Order some for yourself or send some to a friend to make their day bright and their gut happy!