With the recent uproar of gluten-free and wheat-free products
on the market, I am also noticing a lot of misrepresentation and misunderstanding
on the subject matter. I am beginning to see more misuse and abuse of terms,
definitions, studies, etc. I have recently read a very upsetting blog post that
came from a person who is trying develop a “health guru” persona with zero
credentials, no fundamental nutrition knowledge, and not a single citation to support his “solution”
(which is a topic for another day). To be honest, I rarely go out of my way to critique
individual’s theories, unless, they are completely outrageously out there (and
I mean OUT THERE).
WHAT is “Healthy”:
As a person who is in the field
of nutrition and dietetics, I am very cautious of the use of the word “healthy.”
After all, we all have a different definition what is healthy. To some, it may be
defined how an individual feels, and to others, it may just be a matter of body
weight. Some may define it as how much energy they have, while others may define it to how often
they get sick, or even a combination of both. In any case, what is healthy and
what is defined as healthy varies from individual to individual whether one is
a doctor, nutritionist, personal trainer, lawyer, computer programmer, blogger
etc. We all have different nutritional needs, allergies, and intolerances, and
for that reason, who am I (or any individual) to tell people (the general public) without knowing
their (individual) personal needs,
goals, diet history, or medical history what is healthy for them?
Myth 1: ALL grains are considered
wheat.
No! Not all
grains are wheat. What are grains: The USDA defines grains as wheat products
such as items made with flour that comes from the wheat family. In addition grains
ARE NOT exclusive to wheat products. Grains also include corn, rice (including
brown rice), rye, this also includes quinoa (which is technically a seed). The
USDA recommends that consumers make at least half of their grains whole grains (unrefined). Wheat and other grains may be used as processing
agents for foods that go beyond grain products, this includes many types of
alcohols.
Myth 2: Grains cause autoimmune disease.
NO!!
Autoimmune diseases are typically genetic diseases that range from Type 1 Diabetes to Multiple Sclerosis. There is NO published scholarly data to date
that even comes close to directly linking grains or wheat as a cause of autoimmune disease. HOWEVER,
they are some pre-existing autoimmune
diseases that could be affected by diet.
For instance, Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease where the body has a
difficult time processing gluten, a specific protein that contains gladian that
is found in wheat, rye, and barley and oat products. Instead of proper
digestion of gluten, it actually literally attacks the body specifically the
microvilli on the small intestine. These microvilli are essential components of
the body that are needed to absorb nutrients. Typically, those that suffer from
Celiac disease experience symptoms just
with a small crumb of wheat (due to cross contamination). Keep in mind that
this is VERY different from an allergy or a simple bodily reaction. I will post
more on this complex topic in future posts! For more info, visit your doctor.
Myth 3: They are foods that are “anti-nutrients.”
NO!!!! The
term “anti-nutrient” is not a term that medical health practitioners use.
HOWEVER, there are many nutrients that impair absorption of other nutrients across
the board of EVERY food group from grains, fruits, veggies, dairy etc. I did
lightly touch on this in my iron series. Unfortunately, in life and science they
are many paradoxes that we just cannot explain. For instance, oxygen, a
molecule that is essential for life, also has a detrimental effect. Over time, oxygen
causes our cells to become reactive and unstable, thus, causing aging
and possibly cancer. However, we don’t tell people to stop breathing to avoid
oxidation! Therefore, if you are concerned about your nutrition status or a
food impairing the absorption of nutrients, I highly recommend that you speak
to a medical doctor or nutritionist /registered dietitian before cutting the
nutrient or food group out completely. If you have further questions or would
like a referral, please email me.
Myth 4: The launch of the Whole Grains as a food group on the USDA Food Pyramid
is the cause of obesity in the U.S.
Believe it
or not they are actually people that actually believe this notion! I can
honestly tell you that I have been following this topic very closely for many
years now and this issue is much more complex than some would assume. There are
many variables that contribute to the
obesity crises in the US and I can assure you that the millions of Americans
who consume fast food were and are not keeping the USDA Food Pyramid in mind
when ordering that Big Mac.
Fact: Wheat may be an inflammatory.
Our bodies
are complex machines and each individual responds to certain foods differently.
Thus, wheat along with many other foods can possibly have inflammatory affects
on some bodies. HOWEVER, this doesn’t mean that it has the same effect on your
body. If you are concerned, I recommend keeping a food diary to help pinpoint
any food issue. Keep in mind that cutting foods out of your diet is a personal choice and just because it
works well for you does not mean it works for everybody.
Fact: Wheat and other grain products
may contain pesticides.
Yes,
however, pesticides are not just a grain issue it is a general public health
issue that applies not just to grains, but to all crops! Here is a great
resource: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/
Much more on the pesticide issue in future posts!
Fact: There is NO “psychic” food guru
who knows how YOU are feeling.
If I ever do
discover one, I will be the first one to let you know!! Enough Said.
My informal References in the order
addressed:
Sareen S.
Gropper, Smith, J. L., Groff J. L. (2009). Advanced
nutrition and human metabolism.
Belmont, Ca: Wadsworth Press.
Zumdahl, D.
(2008). Introductory chemistry. Boston,
MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Much more
coming soon!
Be
mindful!!! =)
Kate
© Kate Ezra Wolf, 2012. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
