Are Whole Grains and Beans Appropriate for the Human GI tract?
When I studied Ayurveda with Dharmanidhi, he taught us that our bodies are structured to utilize animal proteins and vegetables best. He showed us that we are ill-equipped to digest whole grains and beans as we normally cook them. After all, cows have four stomachs and produce the enzyme phytase to be able to handle grains in their diet. Dharmanidhi pointed to recipes using all manner of animals meats in the Ashtanga Hrdayam and other classic Ayurvedic texts to remind us that Ayurveda is not a vegetarian medicine and that meat may be necessary to treat certain patterns of illness. With this inspiration, many in the kula have tried what he dubs the “Hunter Gatherer” diet of meat and veg alone (with certain guidelines not to be discussed here) and have had wonderful results. However, such a diet is impractical for many–many who wish to eat consciously if not so extremely. The human system may in fact be equipped to digest whole grains and beans well, but only if they are prepared properl
