A Vegetable That’s Really a Fruit
Eggplant is technically a fruit, but it is so low in sugar that, nutritionally, it is usually treated like a vegetable. One hundred grams of eggplant contains only about 6 grams of carbohydrates (about 3.5 grams of which is sugar). It also contains about 3 grams of fiber with only nominal amounts of fat and protein. The fiber it does have is mostly insoluble fiber, which is a great prebiotic because that’s what feeds the gut bacteria way down in our colon. We need to be sure to consume plenty of prebiotics in order to maintain a healthy gut biome.
The Nutrients
As far as micronutrients go, eggplants don’t have a whole lot to offer. They contain a fair amount of B vitamins and some manganese, but only nominal amounts of everything else.
Paleo and Auto-Immune Protocol
Eggplants are also a member of the nightshade family, so if you’re sensitive to nightshades, you’re going to want to stay away from eggplants. Most people don’t have a problem with nightshades, but they do cause digestive issues and inflammation in some people. If you’re not sure if you’re sensitive, the best way to find out is to eliminate all nightshades from your diet for at least a few weeks, then slowly reintroduce them and note how they make you feel.
Mark Sisson has a list of reasons why we should beware of nightshades (or not).
