Grains bad for you?

Athena0809

So lately I've been seeing a few friends on FB that are into clean eating and a lot posts on blogs about grains being bad, a post a read even called them toxic (on my phone so I can't link). This goes against basic kknowledge everywhere we look we are fed the idea that grains, whole grains are a super food.  What do you think?

ournaturaljourney

We follow the Paleo diet, so I'm firmly in the grains-are-bad-for-you camp. If you're interested in finding out more of the scientific reasons why they're bad, I'd recommend https://robbwolf.com/.

In a nutshell, though, our bodies are not designed to digest grains and thus we don't digest them well and they cause a whole host of health problems.

I'd encourage anyone to try the Paleo diet for 30 days. We've noticed significant changes in how we've felt since we started on it, and we were already eating a gluten-free diet that was low in processed foods.

dosafyre

I haven't researched this a ton or anything...but there might be some truth to it? I'd be interested in seeing "toxic" grain articles though. When I was freaking out thinking DD might be living with epilepsy, I started looking into the Paleolithic diet, since some people can manage their seizures, blood pressure or diabetes by eating by its strict regulations (low-carb, low-calorie, meat, fish, plants, veggies, fruites, nuts/seeds).

That said, we aren't stone age beings anymore...and humans/cultures have been successfully living with various carb and dairy/fats mixed into their diets for thousands (millions?) or years as well...some with much longer life expectancies than cave men. Sooo...everything in moderation and eat a balanced, healthy diet? 

 

**EDIT: once I'm done being pregnant and BFing constantly, I'd love to give a 30 day paleo a whirl. Definitely curious...not trying to lose weight, just wonder if it would affect energy or focus, etc.

brienne00

The concept makes a lot of sense if you really look into it. 

I believe that they are bad for some people....for instance for me It took a while to notice it, but after being off grains for about a month, I was able to better feel how my body reacted to them when I did eat them. What I noticed was that my body really doesn't like them and I feel terrible after eating them even in a small amount. I get headaches, and muscle aches. Everyone reacts differently. I also believe that I am insulin resistant, (not officially diagnosed) based on this experiment. 

I'm not so sure about "Toxic". I think everyone has a level to which their body can process grains based on heredity/ evolution. Just like some people are lactose intolerant and others aren't.

There are good resources out there if you are interested in learning more. I like the website www.marksdailyapple.com from there you can find a ton more resources. 

Athena0809

dosafyre:

I haven't researched this a ton or anything...but there might be some truth to it? I'd be interested in seeing "toxic" grain articles though. When I was freaking out thinking DD might be living with epilepsy, I started looking into the Paleolithic diet, since some people can manage their seizures, blood pressure or diabetes by eating by its strict regulations (low-carb, low-calorie, meat, fish, plants, veggies, fruites, nuts/seeds).

That said, we aren't stone age beings anymore...and humans/cultures have been successfully living with various carb and dairy/fats mixed into their diets for thousands (millions?) or years as well...some with much longer life expectancies than cave men. Sooo...everything in moderation and eat a balanced, healthy diet? 

 

**EDIT: once I'm done being pregnant and BFing constantly, I'd love to give a 30 day paleo a whirl. Definitely curious...not trying to lose weight, just wonder if it would affect energy or focus, etc.

 

I feel exactly the same way. I haven't research it a lot, from what I read it makes sense yet when I hear quotes like ""this is the way humans are intended to eat and have eaten for centuries" I think back to MY ancestors, the Mayans, who lived on corn and corn is a grain...try telling a Latina she can't eat tortillas! Lol I do however try to feed DS gluten free as much as possible and try to eat a balanced diet but I'm really curious about this school of thought. 

meg1974

From what I understand, it's gluten, not grains, that are bad. The reason is, during the depression they started adding something to it so that it would last longer and go further, and now you can't find any gluten that doesn't have that substance. But, I have never heard that whole grains in general are bad (i.e. rice, etc.). They are necessary for overall good health. 

ournaturaljourney

Why eat like a caveman? Well, we've only been eating grains for the last 10,000 years, but we've been around for 2 million years. Our genes and our digestive systems haven't changed much since then, but our eating habits have. I'm talking about a time period long before the Mayan culture came into existence or corn was part of anyone's diet.

Cavemen lived longer than you might think. The reason we live longer now is not because of diet, it's because of medical advances, better sanitation practices, etc. See also: https://paleodietlifestyle.com/paleo-diet-faq/#q11 

If you look at any loaf of bread in the store, you can see that is loaded with all kinds of vitamins to fortify it to make it "healthy." The reason they need to be fortified in the first place is because they have so little nutritional value. 

It's not just gluten that's bad for you. All grains contain proteins similar to gluten that are hard to digest. Some are harder to digest than others, but none of them are really "healthy." Read more here: https://paleodietlifestyle.com/what-is-wrong-with-grains/

The bottom line is this: Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, meat and fish have a much higher nutritional value than grains. There's only so much food you can eat in a day, so you might as well choose the foods that are the best for you.

EnglishMajor03

Hmmm.  Interesting.  I subscribe to the Clean Eating magazine and they had a whole spread a few months back on Super Grains.  

abbyful

Steph&Harry08:

So lately I've been seeing a few friends on FB that are into clean eating and a lot posts on blogs about grains being bad, a post a read even called them toxic (on my phone so I can't link).

Yep, grains are far from "heatlhy".

They have anti-nutrient properties and are actually cause inflammation in your arteries. They also are very sugary (even if they don't taste sugary, they are! Just ask anyone who has ever made homemade beer) and cause insulin spikes; which affects the way fat is moved or stored in the body.

 https://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-grains-are-unhealthy/

Steph&Harry08:

This goes against basic knowledge everywhere we look we are fed the idea that grains, whole grains are a super food.  What do you think?

 

 The more you research nutrition, the more you'll realize that the "basic knowledge" we're told about nutrition is completely wrong. It pi$$es me off so much! People are trying to be healthy, and given information that does the exact opposite! What we've been told is "healthy" is based on business & politics, and feeding people cheaply; it's not based on health.

Also, watch the movie "Fat Head"! 

abbyful

This is more how we SHOULD be eating:

AnaKat405

ournaturaljourney:

We follow the Paleo diet, so I'm firmly in the grains-are-bad-for-you camp. If you're interested in finding out more of the scientific reasons why they're bad, I'd recommend https://robbwolf.com/.

In a nutshell, though, our bodies are not designed to digest grains and thus we don't digest them well and they cause a whole host of health problems.

I'd encourage anyone to try the Paleo diet for 30 days. We've noticed significant changes in how we've felt since we started on it, and we were already eating a gluten-free diet that was low in processed foods.

Completely agree with this.  While, I'm not paleo at the moment (pregnancy dictates what I'm able to eat more than I ever imagined), I feel so much better when I am following that diet. 

I first started paleo three years ago and within two weeks I'd lost 10 lbs, even though I hadn't started the diet for weight loss.  Even though I'd always enjoyed circuit training for my primary workout, it wasn't until I changed my diet that I started to look visibly toned, cut, defined.... ahhhh... amazing!  People would comment to me, "Wow, you've lost weight!"  Even though I didn't think I was exactly heavy to begin with, it was nice for people to notice.

The hardest part at the start was dropping the carbs.  I felt like I was starving for the first few days.  And I ate nearly all the time.  But, it was all good stuff.  Handful of raw almonds.  A plum.  Some steamed chard or raw mixed greens.  It really brought my awareness towards how my body uses what I eat as fuel.  I never felt sluggish.

So, yes, I definitely second the recommendation to go paleo and see how it works for you.

Athena0809

Interesting info thanks for links and your comments ladies (on my phone so I can't click but I will when I get to my laptop). 

Like I said, I haven't researched it thoroughly but certain things I've read I find odd; like the response of a blogger to that "I was starving w/o carbs" issue,  she said she "could now go 24 hrs w/o eating" which is a total contradiction to the eat frequently idea to which I subscribe. In theory it makes sense but I would have a really hard time letting go of some carbs! 

hannafemme

Grains are not bad for you, processed food and processed grains are.

 I am vegan for health, ethical, and eco reasons, and I absolutely have to disagree that we should be eating meat.  Check out The China Study, one of the only long-term studies looking at the effects of meat on health.

abbyful

hannafemme:

Grains are not bad for you, processed food and processed grains are.

I am vegan for health, ethical, and eco reasons, and I absolutely have to disagree that we should be eating meat.  Check out The China Study, one of the only long-term studies looking at the effects of meat on health.

Grains cannot even be digested by humans unless ground/pureed first. They are NOT part of our natural diet. And calorie-for-calorie, they are nutritionally poor foods. Grains are cheap filler. And fattening (yes, fattening; why do you think livestock are fed grains in feed-lots?).

The China Study data was cherry-picked and has been thoroughly debunked. Here's just a few sources that pick it apart: 

https://rawfoodsos.com/the-china-study/

https://feastingonfitness.blogspot.com/2010/04/study-everyone-talks-about-part-1.html

https://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/cancer/the-china-study-vs-the-china-study/ 

Meat is part of our natural diet. It's not "dangerous" or "unhealthy", it is in fact very healthy when not tainted by modern factory farming methods. In other words, choose meat from organically raised pastured livestock or hunted game animals.

Veganism, however, is not healthy. Being a vegetarian or omnivore can be healthy, not being a vegan. The only reason people can even survive as vegans is because of artificial supplementation; the vegan diet without supplementation is missing essential nutrients required for humans.

 

Suggested reading:

"The Primal Blueprint" by Mark Sission

"Protein Power" by Michael Eades MD and Mary Eades MD

"The Paleo Diet" by Loren Cordain PhD 

"The Vegetarian Myth" by Lierre Keith (former vegan)

"In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan

"Real Food" by Nina Planck (former vegetarian)

"Nutrition and Physical Degeneration" by Weston Price DDS 

"Good Calories Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes 

carlinlp

We are gluten free and *almost* grain free.  We follow a lot of WAPF stuff, not religiously though.  And we aren't currently doing dairy, well, except for my oldest who does get some raw milk.  We mostly eat veggies, fruits, meats, seeds and nuts, healthy fats, etc.  We started this diet to help recover my son from a severe vaccine injury and it really, really helped.  We do eat quinoa and brown rice occasionally, but not often.  We just don't feel that great when we do now that we've cleaned up our diets so much.  It took awhile to get used to, but now I wouldn't have it any other way.  We love the way we eat and we feel great.  If we do eat grains, we also use digestive enzymes, otherwise we feel horrible after.

wendic22

abbyful:

hannafemme:

Grains are not bad for you, processed food and processed grains are.

I am vegan for health, ethical, and eco reasons, and I absolutely have to disagree that we should be eating meat.  Check out The China Study, one of the only long-term studies looking at the effects of meat on health.

Grains cannot even be digested by humans unless ground/pureed first. They are NOT part of our natural diet. And calorie-for-calorie, they are nutritionally poor foods. Grains are cheap filler. And fattening (yes, fattening; why do you think livestock are fed grains in feed-lots?).

The China Study data was cherry-picked and has been thoroughly debunked. Here's just a few sources that pick it apart: 

https://rawfoodsos.com/the-china-study/

https://feastingonfitness.blogspot.com/2010/04/study-everyone-talks-about-part-1.html

https://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/cancer/the-china-study-vs-the-china-study/ 

Meat is part of our natural diet. It's not "dangerous" or "unhealthy", it is in fact very healthy when not tainted by modern factory farming methods. In other words, choose meat from organically raised pastured livestock or hunted game animals.

Veganism, however, is not healthy. Being a vegetarian or omnivore can be healthy, not being a vegan. The only reason people can even survive as vegans is because of artificial supplementation; the vegan diet without supplementation is missing essential nutrients required for humans.

 

Suggested reading:

"The Primal Blueprint" by Mark Sission

"Protein Power" by Michael Eades MD and Mary Eades MD

"The Paleo Diet" by Loren Cordain PhD 

"The Vegetarian Myth" by Lierre Keith (former vegan)

"In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan

"Real Food" by Nina Planck (former vegetarian)

"Nutrition and Physical Degeneration" by Weston Price DDS 

"Good Calories Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes 

 

Dito!!! 

wendic22

carlinlp:

We are gluten free and *almost* grain free.  We follow a lot of WAPF stuff, not religiously though.  And we aren't currently doing dairy, well, except for my oldest who does get some raw milk.  We mostly eat veggies, fruits, meats, seeds and nuts, healthy fats, etc.  We started this diet to help recover my son from a severe vaccine injury and it really, really helped.  We do eat quinoa and brown rice occasionally, but not often.  We just don't feel that great when we do now that we've cleaned up our diets so much.  It took awhile to get used to, but now I wouldn't have it any other way.  We love the way we eat and we feel great.  If we do eat grains, we also use digestive enzymes, otherwise we feel horrible after.

 

I would love to get some recipes!!!!  

carlinlp

wendic22:

carlinlp:

We are gluten free and *almost* grain free.  We follow a lot of WAPF stuff, not religiously though.  And we aren't currently doing dairy, well, except for my oldest who does get some raw milk.  We mostly eat veggies, fruits, meats, seeds and nuts, healthy fats, etc.  We started this diet to help recover my son from a severe vaccine injury and it really, really helped.  We do eat quinoa and brown rice occasionally, but not often.  We just don't feel that great when we do now that we've cleaned up our diets so much.  It took awhile to get used to, but now I wouldn't have it any other way.  We love the way we eat and we feel great.  If we do eat grains, we also use digestive enzymes, otherwise we feel horrible after.

 

I would love to get some recipes!!!!  

I have a bunch on pinterest:   https://m.pinterest.com/lifeinmotion/

Kristinfm

abbyful:

hannafemme:

Grains are not bad for you, processed food and processed grains are.

I am vegan for health, ethical, and eco reasons, and I absolutely have to disagree that we should be eating meat.  Check out The China Study, one of the only long-term studies looking at the effects of meat on health.

Grains cannot even be digested by humans unless ground/pureed first. They are NOT part of our natural diet. And calorie-for-calorie, they are nutritionally poor foods. Grains are cheap filler. And fattening (yes, fattening; why do you think livestock are fed grains in feed-lots?).

The China Study data was cherry-picked and has been thoroughly debunked. Here's just a few sources that pick it apart: 

https://rawfoodsos.com/the-china-study/

https://feastingonfitness.blogspot.com/2010/04/study-everyone-talks-about-part-1.html

https://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/cancer/the-china-study-vs-the-china-study/ 

Meat is part of our natural diet. It's not "dangerous" or "unhealthy", it is in fact very healthy when not tainted by modern factory farming methods. In other words, choose meat from organically raised pastured livestock or hunted game animals.

Veganism, however, is not healthy. Being a vegetarian or omnivore can be healthy, not being a vegan. The only reason people can even survive as vegans is because of artificial supplementation; the vegan diet without supplementation is missing essential nutrients required for humans.

 

Suggested reading:

"The Primal Blueprint" by Mark Sission

"Protein Power" by Michael Eades MD and Mary Eades MD

"The Paleo Diet" by Loren Cordain PhD 

"The Vegetarian Myth" by Lierre Keith (former vegan)

"In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan

"Real Food" by Nina Planck (former vegetarian)

"Nutrition and Physical Degeneration" by Weston Price DDS 

"Good Calories Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes 

 

This exactly!!! 

OctoberBabyH

I know a lot of folks go gluten free and consider it 'clean eating.' I live gluten freely bc I have celiac disease, so I pretty much eat anything else that I can! :P

healthymommyinwait

I would suggest experimenting with your particular response to high-quality grains, if you're curious.  Try living with and without them, and pay attention to how your unique body responds.  You'll know quickly what feels best to you.

ForeverEverAfter

Another point about whole grains, the phytic acid actually inhibits the absorption of the minerals, so you aren't even getting most of the goodness out of it! White bread has the outer grain removed, so no phytic acid, but no nutrition either. Sprouting or soaking grains makes all the nutrients available, and there are companies out there that make sprouted grain breads. I liked the cookbook Nourishing Traditions for recipes with soaked grains and no refined ingredients.