Lectin Avoidance Diet + Foods High & Low in Lectins (2026)
Lectins are one of the most significant sources of food sensitivity. What are lectins and are they bad for you? This post covers low-lectin and high-lectin foods, as well as other plant substances that may cause inflammation. The Lectin Avoidance Diet is an elimination diet that helps you figure out which foods are more and which are less inflammatory for you. What Are Lectins? Carb-Binding Proteins Do not confuse lectins with leptin, lactose, or pectin . Lectins are proteins that bind to carbohydrates or glycoproteins (carb-protein mixture) [ 1 ]. Proteins termed lectins (from the Latin legere, “to select”) have the ability to bind to specific carbohydrate molecules. They are found in every living organism, including viruses, bacteria, and most foods, to one degree or another, but most of them are harmless. Scientists have been studying lectins since 1884. Some scientists believe that lectins are part of a plant’s protection mechanisms [ 2 ]. Plants als...