Ingredient FAQs
Approved Additives
Guar Gum
Guar gum is a perfect example of an additive that's well tolerated by many people but causes problems for others. Guar gum is derived from a legume (the guar bean) and is commonly added to coconut milk products as an emulsifier, blending the high fat content of the coconut milk with the watery part to create a consistent, creamy texture. Many Paleo recipes call for full-fat coconut milk, and most brands that are widely available do contain guar gum. For the vast majority of people, this additive is completely safe and doesn't cause problems. However, some people do have a reaction to it.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is a commonly used food additive that is used in small amounts to boost acidity, enhance flavor, and preserve ingredients in packaged or canned foods.
Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride is a common food preservative and has been found to be harmless in small amounts when used as a food additive.
What's this ingredient?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is made by fermenting apples. It's often used in dressings and sauces. It's naturally gluten-free and is a natural digestive aid.
Arrowroot Flour
Arrowroot flour is a flour made from the tubers of the arrowroot plant, and is often used to thicken sauces and soups.
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder adds a little sweetness without adding any actual sweetener. It's made from fermented, dried, and roasted cacao beans.
Coconut Aminos
Coconut aminos are a soy-free and gluten-free replacement for traditional soy sauce. Coconut aminos are made from coconut sap or nectar, but are completely approved for the 21-Day Sugar Detox because they're fermented.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a non-dairy milk that can be made from scratch or purchased in cans. It's a great milk alternative if you're following a dairy-free way of eating, or are lactose or casein intolerant.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a naturally occurring saturated fat that can be used in sweet or savory dishes. It's extremely heat-stable and is ideal for cooking at higher temperatures.
Dates
Dates are a small fruit that are often used as a natural sweetener instead of sugar.
Garam Masala
Garam masala is a spice blend that's made up of cumin, coriander, green and black cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns, fennel, mace, and dried chiles. This spice blend contains nightshades.
Ghee
Ghee is pure butterfat that is made by cooking the dairy solids out of whole butter. It is more heat-stable than butter that has dairy proteins intact.
Nutritional Yeast
This is a slightly cheesy-flavored deactivated yeast (not the same as the yeast used in baking recipes to leaven anything) to use in place of a grated cheese topping or in recipes when avoiding dairy. Nutritional yeast contains B-complex vitamins and can be found either in bulk or with other dairy-free items at the grocery store.
Plantains
Plantains are members of the banana family, but they are starchier and lower in sugar, and therefore not usually eaten raw. They're a great starchy carb to include in your diet!
Porcini Powder
Porcini powder is made from dried porcini mushrooms, and is used to help bring more umami (savory) flavor to dishes without adding more texture or meat products.
Red Boat Fish Sauce
Red Boat Fish Sauce is made from anchovies and sea salt, and is used in many dishes to bring more umami (savory) flavor to dishes, especially those with an Asian flavor profile.
Red Wine Vinegar
Red wine vinegar is oxidized wine, and is used in small amounts to bring more acidic flavor to dishes.
Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar is made from fermented rice. Its mild and slightly sweet flavor is used in many Asian dishes.
Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is an oil created from sesame seeds, and is used in many Asian dishes for its distinctive nutty flavor.