IS SORGHUM PALEO?

ThePaleoList Answers:  Is Sorghum Paleo?

Another “gluten-free” flour option, sorghum is growing in popularity in the Western world, despite being a staple throughout Africa for centuries. Let’s take a look at this “ancient” grass.  So we’ve gotten a lot of questions from people…is sorghum Paleo?

What is Sorghum?

Sorghum is actually the name of a genus of grasses related to sugar cane, and it looks a lot like corn as it grows. One of the species of sorghum is growing in popularity among health foodies as a whole grain (with preventative properties) and is made into sorghum molasses around the world.

Sorghum is gluten-free, making it a popular grain for those with Celiac’s disease and other autoimmune reactions.

Is Sorghum Paleo?

No, sorghum is not technically Paleo, but it is slightly Primal. For starters, it is still a highly starchy grass, which can wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels, and is something anyone with a damaged metabolism or who is trying to lose weight should avoid. It actually has a lot more in common with corn than with wheat or rice, but is still a “less bad” option than gluten-packed grains. In fact, you can even pop it just like corn!

Dr. Loren Cordain condemns it flat out, but most people consider it okay in moderation if you’re following a Primal diet rather than Paleo. Avoid it in general, but for those random occasions when you want to bake, it’s an okay Primal option (though nut flours and coconut flour are normally better!).  And, finally, many of the gluten-free beers on the market are made using sorghum flour, so if you’re going to cheat, at least cheat without the gluten!

Are you struggling with which foods are Paleo?  Do you need help planning some Paleo meals?  Check out this great Paleo cookbook: