What is Whole Food Nutrition, Anyway? Part 3

I hope you've enjoyed the first two parts of this series on whole food nutrition. Have you learned anything new? Have you been inspired to do some research to learn more about a topic? I sure hope so! If not, read on...perhaps, today will be the day!

Today I'm going to talk about grains. This is a topic that causes a LOT of confusion. I know I've certainly been confused about them...and quite frustrated! I've been told I should NEVER eat grains EVER! I've also been told I should eat 1 cup of grains every single day. Paleo lovers INSIST grains are terrible for you while Plant-strong Eater's sing their praises! So are they ok or not?

I believe the answer is the same as it was with Meat. Clearly grains were created for consumption. That's clear. However, some people will be able to digest them better than others. The rule of thumb (but not an absolute) is Type A, B and AB blood types are typically grain eaters while Type O would not digest grains as efficiently and should limit them. Again, this is just a starting point. You would need to pay close attention or get muscles tested to find out if grains are beneficial for you and your family.

If you want to become familiar with all grains available for you and your family here's a great resource http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/whole-grains-a-to-z . Of course, whole grains have health benefits but processed grains are not beneficial to the body as their nutrients have been removed. If you choose to eat grains, always choose the whole version...choose organic whenever possible.

My personal favorite grain is brown rice. I like soaking my brown rice for 12 hours (overnight) before cooking to make it more digestible. I also use non-GMO corn for my family (excluding myself as I'm allergic). I've also tried Amaranth and Millet, but they are a bit "grainy" for my taste. However, they are great choices for those who like the flavor.

Although Quinoa is not actually a grain (it's a seed) most people consider it a part of the grain family because of it's flavor and texture. I use Quinoa often as it cooks quickly and is light and fluffy. I use it as an alternative to brown rice. I often put it in salads and pasta dishes! Not everyone in my home likes brown rice (although they eat it), but they all enjoy Quinoa. I use rice or quinoa as the main protein source when I want a vegetarian or vegan meal to serve that my whole family will eat without complaining! (Pictured: Quinoa in a delicious salad)

In Part 2 I mentioned two different Metabolic Types: Meat and Grain. If you are a Grain Metabolic Type your body can handle and requires a larger amount of grain intake than a Meat Metabolic Type. I'm a Meat Eater so I don't have grains any more than 1 time per day. If I do, I gain weight quickly and feel very sluggish. I also don't eat grains daily. I eat enough to provide variety and to keep me from feeling agitated but not enough to gain weight or become groggy. It's taken me some time and attention to figure out what works best for me. I've had to learn to pay attention to my body and watch how it reacts to these grains. It is recommended you not eat more than 1 cup of grains per day. Too many grains can cause unhealthy spikes in blood sugar levels requiring the pancreas to release insulin to bring blood sugar levels back down. Insulin is a fat producer, so causing the body to have to release large amounts will result in weight gain even for a grain eater. I prefer 1/2 cup servings when I eat grains.

Because so many people have a difficult time digesting wheat I don't recommend consuming it. However, if you do NOT have gluten intolerance, Celiac Disease or wheat allergy, you will be able to consume wheat in small amounts. Wheat has been HEAVILY modified from it's original version (called, Eincorn) and is no longer assimilated the way it was before being modified to withstand rougher climates. You may have gluten intolerance without knowing it. Click the following link to read a list of symptoms http://gluten-intolerance-symptoms.com/#gluten-intolerance-3 . If you have issues digesting gluten and you continue to consume it, it could lead to more serious issues. Removing gluten from the diet isn't easy, but it IS possible. Today, there is a tremendous amount of support and resources available to help those wanting to live a gluten free lifestyle.

One final note about gluten. There are other gluten containing grains to be aware of if you are avoiding gluten: Rye, Barley, Oats, Triticale and Kamut. If you are interested in finding out more about a gluten-free lifestyle I'd love to help you! Just let me know! Here's a GREAT resource http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow, I'll address nuts, seeds and legumes. MANY of these foods have the power to turn your health around! Stay tuned...