turnip/rutabagas are a no-no on phase1

[josiej]

Can anyone tell me why turnip/rutabagas are not acceptable in phase 1. PS: I am a Canadian, to me they are the same thing.

[luv2bike]

Originally Posted by josiej

Can anyone tell me why turnip/rutabagas are not acceptable in phase 1. PS: I am a Canadian, to me they are the same thing.

Rutabagas are yellow turnips. Neither turnips nor rutabagas are allowed on phases 1 or 2. The way it was explained to me is that they're root plants and are high on the Glycemic Index chart, much like white potatoes.

The Glycemic Index measures how fast the carbohydrate of a particular food is converted to glucose and enters the bloodstream. The lower the number, the slower the absorption. According to the chart that SB uses, the GI for turnips and rutabagas is a 103. A white potato is between 117 and 158. As a general rule of thumb, the best foods are those with a GI less than 55, and the worst have a GI of 70 or more.


However the leafy part of the plant that grows above the ground is fine to eat. The GI index rating for turnip greens is a 20.

It's a bummer, I know. I have grown to like turnips very much. I was hoping to be able to eat them in phase 2.

Does anyone know of an alternative that we could sub for turnips? Maybe cauliflower? I'm sure we can think of something.

[Mindy moves on!]

Radishes could be a good alternative. I've even made mock home fries with them and they have a taste like turnips sort of. What about Jicima? It might be legal and can be cooked the same way, though I think it would taste a bit sweeter.