Welcome to my blog! I’m glad you’re here. This blog is about learning to stay healthy and happy. With certain tips, tricks, recipes, and facts you can have the knowledge to start a fitness routine to begin your journey to a better life. Today’s blog is on grains. Are they bad? Are they good? Should you eat them or not? We will dive into these questions and hopefully clear up some confusion so you can make an informed decision and stay healthy.
What does the Science Say?
So in 2006 the FDA referred to a “whole grain” as “any mixture of bran, endosperm and germ in the proportions one would expect to see in an intact grain—yet the grains can be, and usually are, processed so that the three parts are separated and ground before being incorporated into foods” https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whole-grain-foods-not-always-healthful/#:~:text=When%20a%20person%20eats%20intact,t%20provide%20these%20metabolic%20brakes.&text=But%20even%20when%20whole%20grains,that%20can%20cause%20metabolic%20problems.
One problem that has been found with the ingredients in food today is that they don’t account for fiber. Many products on shelves today contain very little if any. Processing techniques have been proven to reduce or degrade natural antioxidants, and fiber content. Before the mid-19th century, grains and wheat were ground in whole form, often by the use of stones, and the flour still contained all the components of the whole grain. Today with modern technology and processing facilities it’s possible to separate the parts of the whole grain and use just the starchy endosperm to create an inexpensive and very finely ground white flour and manufacturers started to “enrich” wheat and other flours with synthetic nutrients.
According to https://wellnessmama.com/health/problem-with-grains/, Since 1843, researchers in England have been conducting research called the “Broadbalk Winter Wheat Experiment.” They tracked many variables related to wheat cultivation, including fertilizer use, crop rotation, and nutrient content. Dr. David Pearlmutter states that the rise in epidemic of MS, and other brain conditions is caused by grains. The Healthy Home Economist agrees and states that the new pesticides containing Glyphosate, are to blame. I think there is a reason that this ingredient in banned in other countries around the world. But the chart below shows clearly a rise in celiac disease and the use of these pesticides.
Nutrient Content
Grains have compounds that interfere with digestion and absorption of vital nutrients our bodies need. These compounds are called antinutrients. The phytic acid in the grains reduce the absorption of iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, and calcium just to name a few. Lectins in foods such as grains are active compounds that cause an inflammatory response that has been associated with IBS and many autoimmune conditions. Many researchers have contributed lectins as the “diseases of civilization”. Grains often contribute to “empty” calories, meaning that they lack the vitamins and minerals our bodies need and bioavailable nutrients such as zinc, B-vitamins, Selenium, and Vitamin-A. These vitamins and minerals are only available in certain animal foods.
Should we eat them or not?
So here is the bottom line and my opinion. We all know that the “Standard American Diet” contains about 60% processed foods that are high in sugar, grains, and vegetable oils. This diet is responsible for the “diseases of civilization” such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, IBS and inflammatory diseases. Our bodies, from a genes stand point as well as a physiology and metabolic stand point cannot process and digest the grains we eat today and the pesticides that are used. My opinion is to avoid grains any way you can. Today’s grains are not the grains that were used by our ancestors thousands of years ago. With the increase use of pesticides, GMO, and nutrient lacking soil, grains today are very harmful. There is no reason to eat them today due to the lack of nutrients, and vitamin and mineral blocking properties. I believe they cause too many health issues that we as a society are trying to avoid. My suggestion is to lay off grains for a period of 6 months and see how you feel. They serve no purpose in our diets and if they lack the nutrients we need then why eat them anyway? We as a society have to look at what we consume and how are bodies react to them and decide for ourselves if it’s worth eating. We cannot rely on the government telling us what we need to eat to stay healthy when the science is telling us something else. Read this article https://www.doctorkiltz.com/why-are-grains-bad-for-you/#:~:text=Grains%20are%20high%20in%20compounds,that%20we%20can%20digest%20them. And decide for yourself. It is a very good article on why grains are bad and why we need to stop eating them.
Thank you again for reading my blog and I hope this helps you decide on the grain train. I personally do not eat grains and I have recipes that I can send you for macadamia nut waffles, and other great, delicious tasting foods that even my kids love. Just shoot me an e-mail and let me know your story and what you have been struggling with so I can help.
As always, You only get one body……….Make the change!
Take Care,
Darren
Harmony Shift 