The nightshade family, Solanaceae, has many familiar members: potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers — including bell peppers. Although the nightshade family has a bad reputation due to a few poisonous members, bell peppers are safe and an excellent source of nutrients.
Nightshade is a family of plants that includes tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers. Tobacco is also in the nightshade family. Nightshades are unique because they contain small amounts of alkaloids.
This of course begs the query “Are peppers part of the nightshade family?”
Members of the family Solanaceae, common nightshades include white (but not sweet) potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers, both the eye-watering chilies and the sweeter bell peppers.
Is cayenne pepper a nightshade?
Black and white pepper, confusingly enough, come from a different plant and aren’t nightshades. Use these, along with turmeric, cumin, cloves, and ginger, to add a kick to dishes that you want to keep nightshade-free. Onion and garlic powder are also beneficial, too.
Are carrots and peppers nightshade vegetables?
Carrots are not on the nightshades vegetable list either. If a recipe calls for the use of peppers, or other nightshade vegetables, try using raw carrots or onions instead. Contrary to popular belief, beets are not on the nightshade vegetable list. Beets belong to the goosefoot family.
What vegetables are not nightshades?
Other non-nightshade vegetables in the goosefoot family are spinach and Swiss chard. And everyone’s favorite cruciferous veggie, broccoli, is also not on the nightshade vegetable list. Colorful fruits and vegetables like blueberries and broccoli are often mistaken for nightshades.
To find more dietitian-approved recipes on our website, type an ingredient like “tomato” into the search bar on our homepage. Nightshade vegetables include peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes and tomatillos. While pictured above, garlic and zucchini are not in the nightshade family.
What are nightshades in food?
Some of the most popular nightshades are potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, and chili peppers. But because various spices and spice mixes are made from chili peppers, nightshades can be found in a whole host of processed foods!