What They Are
Tarts are basically open-faced pies, and since pies aren’t Paleo, neither are tarts.
The crust is usually made of refined flour, sugar, and some form of fat. We have no problem with fat on the Paleo lifestyle (so long as it’s a healthy form of fat, such as coconut oil or animal fat), but we have a big problem with the other two ingredients.
Paleo and Flour
Refined flour is one of the biggest offenders in the Paleo diet. It’s devoid of nutrients and extremely high in carbohydrates. The result is a massive spike in blood sugar and insulin that can take up to 24 hours to fully recover from.
Sugar + Sugar = Disaster
Sugar has absolutely no nutrients and also causes a spike in blood sugar and insulin. When combined with refined wheat flour, the effect is amplified, leaving you with inflammation, raised cortisol levels, decreased levels of leptin (the hormone that regulates hunger and satiety), and a compromised immune system.
That’s just the crust. Tarts are commonly filled with fruit, jams, jellies, and/or custards, all of which come with their own helping of sugar to compound the health issues created by the crust.
The 80/20 Rule
Obviously, if you’re allergic to gluten, you won’t be eating tarts at all. If you choose to make them part of the 20% of your 80/20, just be cautious, as even an occasional treat can have lasting consequences.
