On Fri, 23 Feb 2001 02:36:00 -0800, Ashley Yakeley <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>I understand potatoes are not considered paleolithic, is that correct?
>Does that apply to all tubers? Didn't ancient foragers eat wild tubers?

Potatoes are not historically paleolithic because they come from the new
world (americas) and were not available to our anchestors.
But many food items are new world food, like tomatoes, (big) strawberries,
many fruit traits, green pepper... .
Most people do accept new world food as paleo. I do.
(My favourite: amelanchier berries )

Potatoes have a toxin (solanin) that prevents humans (and animals) to eat
them in amounts raw. Ray Audette condemns them for this reason, as far as I
recall. As he is a diabetic he personally can't stand them of course.
Very nutritious plants always have some "defense" and so some of it can be
considered paleo, harmles or even necessary for some purpose.
Cooked 2-3 lbs/day can be eaten safely, without having to fear symptoms
(but not green or damadged ones).

Generally tubers are *the* perfect paleo food
 - they are plentiful available in a savannah environment
 - they are the ideal food for a enlarged brain (as opposed to game!!)
 - humans found a food niche in them by *techniques* like digging
   sticks and fire

A very nice description of tubers in the paleo diet you can see at:
http://www.naturalhub.com/natural_food_guide_vegetables.htm

Regards

Amadeus S.