What is Lectin and Why Should We Care?

Afke Zonderland, Okanagan Rawsome

Okanagan Rawsome’s mission is to awaken our taste buds to delicious raw, gluten-free goodness! Afke Zonderland, Chef & CEO shares how easy it is to live a whole-food, vegan, sprouted philosophy and make the healthiest choices for yourself and your family.


Gluten is the general name for the protein that is found in grains. Gluten is the glue that holds the shape of our food together.  Gluten helps to make our bread, muffins and cakes fluffy and light.

Research is now suggesting that ‘lectin’ is a far greater villain than gluten ever was – except for celiacs of course! Avoiding lectins in our diet will heal our poor digestive system and all its distressing symptoms.

Lectins are a group of proteins that bind to carbs and are difficult to digest. They are sometimes referred to as a type of anti-nutrient. Lectin levels are especially high in legumes i.e. all bean varieties, night shade vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes and peppers, grains, cashews and almonds.

The Chinese and South-East Asians must have figured this out thousands of years ago, because they either sprout or ferment beans in combination with grains and nuts, effectively solving the problem of a gaseous gut. A lectin-free diet combined with avoiding grains shifts you in gluten-free mode.

So beans and pork, the friend of cowboys and soldiers are off the plate? No more pizza? What about nuts and spuds?

Do not despair, all you need to do to neutralize the greater part of harmful lectins is to soak and thoroughly rinse legumes before you cook them. Always rinse canned beans for the same reason. Tomato pulp has no lectin, so get rid of the peel and most of the seeds. Always soak and rinse almonds and cashews and eat sprouted organic bread.

okanagan rawsome bean soup WPIt’s the right time of the year to indulge in a lovely bean soup.

  • Soak the beans for a day or two.
  • Freshen the water once or twice.
  • Cook the beans until tender.
  • Drain the cooking water.
  • Fry up a nice big onion in a separate pan, add carrots, carrots, celery, garlic and roasted tomatoes in butter or avocado oil.
  • Add your beans and seasonings.

I enjoy adding balsamic vinegar and a little molasses to flavour the pot before I mix it in a creamy still slightly chunky consistency with a hand-held blender.

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weight-loss diets, health issues, aversions, religious beliefs, and world-changing agendasOkanagan Rawsome is proud to source all the  fruits and veggies in their crisps from their own garden in Grindrod, BC and from organic farmers in the Okanagan Valley.  This year they  decided to grow the leafy greens, kale, spinach and parsley for their new Okanagan Rawsome Garden Crisps.

100% Non-GMO • Soaked & Sprouted Seeds • Dehydrated at Low Temperatures • No Refined Sugars • Low-Glycemic

A source of pure plant energy, these living whole food snacks are low-glycemic, promote weight loss, reduce inflammation. Loaded with organic ingredients and local produce, Okanagan Rawsome is real food that nourishes your body – and soul! 


 Supergreens Garden Crisps

It doesn’t get any greener than this combination of spinach, kale and parsley made with local grown apples and zucchini. BC grown all the way!

  • LOCAL Organic Veggies
  • 99% ORGANIC Ingredients

Top these Garden Crisps with your favourite cheese and some sliced cucumber to create a perfect pairing.

  • INGREDIENTS: *apples,*spinach,*kale,*parsley,*zucchini,*flax seeds,*coconut,*dates,*lemon juice,*sprouted pumpkin seeds,*chlorella, ginger powder, garlic powder, pure ocean aquifer sea salt. (*organic)

Okanagan Rawsome Beet Crisps

Onion-Herb Beet Crisps

Onion-Herb Beet Crisps • See how they are made!

Onion-Herb BEET CRISPS are packed with local organic beets, carrots and onions combined with sprouted seeds and a yummy blend of spices.

  • LOCAL Organic Veggies
  • 99% ORGANIC Ingredients

Onion-Herb Beet Crisps are delicious with your favourite cheese, hummus, or pesto. Make an open-faced sandwich using a Beet Crisp as a base!

  • INGREDIENTS: *ground flaxseeds, *carrots, *sprouted buckwheat, *sprouted sunflower seeds, *beets *zucchini, *sprouted lentils, *onions, onion powder, oregano, garlic powder, *sea salt, cumin (*organic)

carrot-crisps

Spicy Chia-Hemp Carrot Crisps

Spicy Chia-Hemp Carrot Crisps • See how they are made!

Spicy Chia-Hemp CARROT CRISPS are spicy snacks made with locally grown carrots & zucchini, chia, hemp, and sprouted lentils to enhance nutrient bioavailability. The carrots provide a high-source of Vitamin A.

  • LOCAL Organic Veggies
  • 96% ORGANIC Ingredients

Chia-Hemp Carrot Crisps are delicious with your favorite cheese, hummus, and/or a slice of avocado. Make an open faced sandwich using a Carrot Crisp as a base!

  • INGREDIENTS: *carrots, *ground flax seeds, *sprouted buckwheat, *zucchini, *sprouted lentils, hemp hearts, *chia seeds, *sea salt, cumin, cayenne, onion powder, oregano, garlic powder (*organic)

How Carrot Crisps are Made


Orange Sesame Apple Crisps

Orange Sesame Apple Crisps

Orange Sesame APPLE CRISPS  light, flavour-packed zesty treat made with oranges and lemons. We grind whole flax seeds to preserve valuable Omega-3 fats. Dehydration happens at low temperatures, protecting valuable living enzymes!

  • LOCAL Organic Apples
  • 96% ORGANIC Ingredients

Delicious with a seed or nut butter. Visit the recipe section of our website for other suggested pairings and rawsome recipes!

  • INGREDIENTS: *apples, *coconut, *ground flax seeds, *sesame seeds, *dates, hemp hearts, *oranges, *lemon juice, cinnamon, ground ginger, *sea salt (*organic)

How Apple Crisps Are Made


 Cran Raisin Apple CrispsCranberry Raisin Apple Crisps

Cran-Raisin APPLE CRISPS combine sprouted buckwheat with delicious organic cranberries, raisins, and organic Okanagan apples to create a naturally sweet and filling snack. 

  • LOCAL Organic Apples
  • 99% ORGANIC Ingredients

Crumble a few pieces of Cran-Raisin Apple Crisps onto plain yogurt or sprinkle some on top of your morning cereal to add live enzymes and easy to digest protein to kick start your day!

  • INGREDIENTS: *apples, *sprouted buckwheat, *ground flax, *dates, *sprouted sunflower seeds, *sprouted pumpkin seeds, *raisins, *cranberries, cinnamon, ground ginger, *orange zest, *sea salt (*organic)

Available in convenient single-sized portions.


 Okanagan Rawsome Choc-Ginger

Chocolate Ginger Apple Crisps

Chocolate Ginger Apple Crisps

*Available exclusively online in Smaller Pieces or in Bulk

Chocolate Ginger APPLE CRISPS offer dark chocolate-coconut decadence in a delicious mixture of organic Okanagan apples, ginger, sprouted seeds, sprouted buckwheat, and dates. 

  • LOCAL Organic Produce
  • 90% ORGANIC Ingredients

Choc-Ginger Apple Crisps are delicious on their own or with a serving of ice cream made with frozen bananas & vegan chocolate pudding.

  • INGREDIENTS: *apples, *sprouted buckwheat, *ground flax, *dates, *sprouted sunflower seeds, *sprouted pumpkin seeds, ginger slices, dark chocolate (cocao, sugar, non-GMO soya lecithin, vanilla flavour), *coconut, ground ginger, *lemon juice, cinnamon, *sea salt (*organic)
  • Available in convenient single-sized portions.

Meet the Okanagan Rawsome Farmers

Farming runs in the family at Okanagan Rawsome

Meet Afke Zonderland, Founder Okanagan Rawsome


Serving Suggestions!Okanaga Rawsome Collage 9Okanagan Rawsome Nutrition


Okanagan Rawsome CCA ReviewOkanagan Rawsome is a proud Sponsor of the Canadian Celiac Association’s Classes for the Newly Diagnosed. Details here!

Find Okanagan Rawsome at retailers in Victoria and across Vancouver Island!

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  • *Information and perspectives posted on  The Celiac Scene are intended to provide general information, without independent verification on the part of The Celiac Scene for  the accuracy of the information provided to it. The information is specifically not intended to be a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by your physician or other health care professional. Always consult your own physician or other health care professionals about any medical questions, diagnosis, or treatment, especially before trying any diet. Okanagan Rawsome does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on any content contained herein.