WHEAT, GRAINS, GLUTEN AND SEVERAL CONTRADICTIONS…

ART MCDERMOTT CSCS CISSN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR: UMASS LOWELL FOUNDER – BOOMER BLUEPRINT AUTHOR & SPEAKER “OVER 50 FITNESS PRO” PREPARE QUESTIONS AND TAKE NOTES !

GRAINS Let’s review the basics: Grains are divided into two groups Whole Grains and Refined Grains

Whole grains contain the entire grain: bran, germ and endosperm

Refined grains have the been processed to have the bran and germ removed – and with it most of the nutrition (B vitamins, fiber and iron, etc.)

This is done to improve texture and shelf- life; meaning the convenience of the food manufacturer, not the health of the consumer. i.e. “enriched” whole wheat flour is NOT whole grain.

Here is the resulting product which should contain only: Flour, Yeast, Water and Salt…

Let’s talk about the bad guy here… Gluten is a protein complex within wheat products (made up of gliadin and glutenins.)

At one extreme… Celiac disease (/ ˈ si ː li.æk/; / ˈ si ː li.æk/ an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages. It occurs in about 1 out of 100 to 170 people.

At the other end of the spectrum… Almost everyone in the general population has some reaction to gluten and wheat products in general. My kids experience…

 The Negatives… 1) Virtually all commercially grown wheat in the US is genetically modified. The US is extremely successful at producing vast quantities of inexpensive food. 2) Wheat products can be found in nearly 90% of the products in the supermarket. 3) Eating wheat-based products can INCREASE caloric intake by 400 calories per day due to appetite stimulation.

What do you believe? Foods that contain wheat productsFoods which may contain wheat products Pastas, noodles, breads & pastriesEnergy bars, granola bars Crackers, baked goods, cereal & granola French fries, potato chips Breakfast foods (waffles, French toast, pancakes) Processed lunch meats, soup Sauces and gravies, beerCandy and candy bars Brewer’s yeast, flour tortillasSoy sauce, salad dressing and marinades Breading and coating mixesEggs served at restaurants Croutons, stuffing….Cheesecake filling…

The four and one half foot tall ‘amber waves of grain’ image we have in our brain when we think of wheat does not exist.

Modern wheat has been altered to increase per acre yield into an 18 inch tall ‘stocky, semi-dwarf strain’. Wheat – as we know it today – is as closely related to wheat as humans are to chimps!

 The contradictions Decreasing or removing all grains from the diet (whole grains and refined) has been shown to significantly reduce body fat. Example: Julie S. Increasing whole grain consumption in the diet can improve multiple health indicators

 The contradictions… Some people who eliminate grains can reportedly see a weight loss of roughly a pound per day for the first ten days and up to pounds in 4-6 months. Yet…

 The contradictions… Whole grains can reduce the risk of heart disease and developing diabetes. Regular consumption can reduce mortality rates and help control body weight and cholesterol levels; largely through the actions of fiber.

What do you do? Do you drop grains or not?

That depends…Ask yourself: Do you need to lose weight? Do you have any existing health issues which may benefit from whole grains?

It is important to remember… Whole grains are NOT required for good health. The “Bill Argument”

If you intend to remove grains…you need to:  Eat foods such as eggs, raw nuts, plenty of vegetables, fish, fowl and limited red meat.  Healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil, and coconut oil liberally. Occasional fruit and plenty of avocado, olives, and use herbs and spices freely (versus sugar).

Sound familiar? Many of these components describe a well-known option…

The Mediterranean Diet is renowned as one of the most healthful approaches possible… just add a little exercise and you’re there!

Final Note: This can be much more easily said than done. Food companies do NOT make eating healthy easy.

Example: Farms producing GMO’s and other commercially growth and ‘altered’ products receive government subsidies while organic farmers have to pay a fee to prove their products are truly organic. Hence…the $$ of Whole Foods!

Take Away Action Step #1: Reduce refined grain intake from bread, white rice, cereals, pasta, crackers.

Q & A time!

Resources: - Wheatbelly.com – Dr. William Davis - Celiac.org

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