Tomatoes are Paleo, so if you put them out in the sun to dry, there’s no reason that they shouldn’t still be Paleo. The main difference between fresh and dried tomatoes is that the dried variety have lost their water content, but they still retain all the nutrients of fresh tomatoes.
The Nutrients in Tomatoes
Most notably, tomatoes are very high in vitamin C, but they also provide respectable amounts of vitamin A and B vitamins. They are also rich in lycopene, which is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants available to us.
Anti-oxidants are necessary for maintaining our immune health, mostly by lowering inflammation and, as the name suggests, preventing oxidation of fats in our blood stream. This is extremely important because, although high cholesterol won’t necessarily kill us, oxidized cholesterol is very dangerous. It is the oxidized cholesterol that tends to latch onto our arterial walls, forming plaque and inflammation.
Paleo and Autoimmune Protocol
Despite the numerous health benefits they convey for most of us, tomatoes are a member of the nightshade family, and as such, they tend to cause digestive problems in some people. If you know this to be the case for you, then definitely stay away from tomatoes. If you are unsure of your tolerance for nightshades, the best way to find out is to eliminate them from your diet for at least 30 days, then slowly reintroduce them and note how they make you feel.
If you still need more reasons to eat plants, check out this TED talk.
