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Eh, the big difference is that they grow better varieties of wheat than we do in the US and the breads in Europe in general have a much better overall flavor with a lower glycemic index according to those in the know.
Right, because the difference can't -possibly- be that they eat smaller portions, and get more exercise, and don't load up on overprocessed garbage in addition to all that artisan bread.
It isn't possible that they're healthier and slimmer because for them, lunch consists of a chunk of bread, a wedge of cheese, and a pear.
It can't possibly be that they ride their bicycles to work instead of driving. Or, god forbid, they walk.
I absolutely reject the notion that the set of slender people in Europe (not to be confused with all of Europe - only the set of people who are slender), might value quality food, rather than quantity food. Because, y'know, that would mean that we can't blame ConAgra or Monsanto. And if we can't blame ConAgra or Monsanto, then we might have to actually take responsibility for our own dietary choices. AND WE CAN'T HAVE THAT!
Right, because the difference can't -possibly- be that they eat smaller portions, and get more exercise, and don't load up on overprocessed garbage in addition to all that artisan bread.
It isn't possible that they're healthier and slimmer because for them, lunch consists of a chunk of bread, a wedge of cheese, and a pear.
It can't possibly be that they ride their bicycles to work instead of driving. Or, god forbid, they walk.
I absolutely reject the notion that the set of slender people in Europe (not to be confused with all of Europe - only the set of people who are slender), might value quality food, rather than quantity food. Because, y'know, that would mean that we can't blame ConAgra or Monsanto. And if we can't blame ConAgra or Monsanto, then we might have to actually take responsibility for our own dietary choices. AND WE CAN'T HAVE THAT!
And I've already stated that caloric intake, portion size, etc are very important. Europeans eat breads that are different than those consumed in the US. They also don't have a deeply ingrained auto dependent culture as well. The US would be wise to emulate the built environment and planning of some European cities and villages that are human scaled and not auto scaled. I disagree about letting commercial ag giants ConAgra and Monsanto off the hook. They are a big part of the problem in the US because of the continuing centralization of our commercial agricultural economy that is putting many smaller family run farms out of business. That is why I strongly support local farms when possible. ConAgra and Monsatan are big into frankenfoods and chemicals that just aren't healthy. Hundreds of ingredients per food product, particularly frozen items is abhorent. People still buy the products, though...
Yes, Americans will never get the amount of movement in on a daily basis that is necessary to nuke out wheat. It's better to minimize it to less than one serving per week or eliminate altogether. It is MUCH easier for me to stay skinny without wheat, there is no doubt.
And I've already stated that caloric intake, portion size, etc are very important. Europeans eat breads that are different than those consumed in the US. They also don't have a deeply ingrained auto dependent culture as well. The US would be wise to emulate the built environment and planning of some European cities and villages that are human scaled and not auto scaled. I disagree about letting commercial ag giants ConAgra and Monsanto off the hook. They are a big part of the problem in the US because of the continuing centralization of our commercial agricultural economy that is putting many smaller family run farms out of business. That is why I strongly support local farms when possible. ConAgra and Monsatan are big into frankenfoods and chemicals that just aren't healthy. Hundreds of ingredients per food product, particularly frozen items is abhorent. People still buy the products, though...
They also don't eat huge portions of meat - meat portions are generally smaller and they eat more vegetables....wheat or lack of exercise are not the only reasons why American's are generally so overweight, have high cholesterol, more diabetes, etc.
Another very disturbing trend I have noticed is the huge consumption of frozen pizzas by so many people. I was at the store today and it was actually making me physically ill.
Another very disturbing trend I have noticed is the huge consumption of frozen pizzas by so many people. I was at the store today and it was actually making me physically ill.
It's a strange thing, for sure, but I notice the trend here only when the individual-sized microwave pizzas are for sale for $1 each. I totally get the "I need something cheap and quick for my 15-minute break twice a week" but there are so many less unpleasant-tasting alternatives.
On the other hand, I live in pizza country, so the idea of frozen pizza -at all, ever- is strange. Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Little Caesar's don't even try opening shops around here anymore because our local pizzerias drive them out of business within their first year.
[quote=newenglandgirl;25000990]Just found this thread as I'm at the beginning stage of eliminating wheat and everything made from it including breads. Like some of you, I grew up on a terrible diet loaded with breads and sugars. My entire adult life from about age 20 I've eaten "natural" foods, heavy on whole grains. In the past few years I've developed a coughing/asthmatic reaction to wheat, all flour products, and even whole brown rice. I regret the latter, as i have always felt whole rice to be an important staple. But I have the severe reaction.
Yes, newenglandgirl I, too, have the coughing reaction to grains, esp. wheat. One excellent substitute for "flour" is almond flour. I've made many cakes, cookies, and brownies from almond flour and you cannot tell the difference. Ground almonds look like "flour"...when ground, they are off-white. Health food stores have ground almond flour, plus it can be ordered on-line. Thankfully, I've become less concerned about eating baked goods, and now I mostly do without them. There are so many other good foods to eat...I hardly miss baked goods....except for once in a while. I started doing without a lot of wheat products over 15 years ago when I figured out - by myself - that wheat always caused upper digestive problems. I weaned myself off of it, and it was relatively easy. Those of us who are sensitive need to always be aware and stay away from it. Keep some almond flour on hand to make a batch of this or that to keep from feeling deprived from our 'comfort foods'. Or perhaps substitute foods like mashed potatoes when we crave comfort food.
This is a very difficult process because all of society...from consumers to doctors to farmers to Big Agriculture...are mostly uneducated...or are educated, and don't want consumers to know the truth about grains and processed foods. Big Ag just ignores it and keeps on making this poison. People are taking mass quantities of Prilosec and similar RX drugs to mask their symptoms of grain sensitivity.
The average doctor isn't interested in hearing about the REAL cause of indigestion/severe heartburn. Their training consists of writing prescriptions for all illnesses. Few docs have the initiative, inquisitiveness and insight to get to the bottom of many of their patients health problems. Can't say I blame them particularly...they've already spent hundreds of thousands on their education.
The docs who do think outside the box are rare...like Dr. Atkins, to name one...of the Atkins diet. And the Drs. Eades who wrote Protein Power. And some of the authors who write about paleolithic eating. And, of course, Wheat Belly.
I do caregiving for the elderly and observe their eating habits without mentioning wheat, etc, or being critical of the way they eat. They all eat wheat bread, cookies, and crackers like they are going out of style. Before or after breakfast, they take their Prilosec or Tums or another RX med for indigestion/heartburn. It's a way of life for them. They never question it. They do what their docs tell them to do.
The truth is: we do not need grains to be healthy. Very few healthcare providers will tell their patients that because they have Zero training in nutrition and they don't want their patients to know that. In my opinion, docs should have at least one year of nutritional training that includes the different ways of eating that can help people avoid being sick from the food they eat. The average doc laughs at you when you mention food as a way to heal. A significant financial investment has been made in their training, setting up their offices and staff, and their expected income from their profession....to realize they need to go off on a different path to discover how to educate their patients to be healthy. Their benefactors, the drug companies, have no interest whatsoever in nutrition education because it would significantly reduce their profits from prescription writing docs.
When I hung out with medical residents in Denver in my thirties, they spoke in reverent, glowing terms about "med-i-cine", their profession. Little did I know that would come back to haunt me when I started looking for reasons why my health wasn't as good as I felt it could be. I realized that "med-i-cine" was for people who were sick, it didn't necessarily help people be well, or who wanted to be healthy. Yes, "med-i-cine" - as in prescription medications written on a doctor's prescription pad - has its place in helping people, but it is only about 1/10th of what we need to practice for our health. The rest is openmindedness, lifestyle, diet, managing stress, listening to our bodies, and educating ourselves on the various medical and non-medical/holistic alternatives available. We've been taught to mindlessly delegate our so-called health to medical docs rather than take mindful ownership for our own health.
Wheat Belly is one of those educational, holistic adventures that teaches us how to improve our health in some simple, inexpensive ways.... what the typical medical doc will not and cannot offer us.
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Originally Posted by markymarc If it's unnecessary, why has there been so much participation on this thread? Also, why can't people lose weight and keep the weight off? I personally think grains have something to do with it.
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Originally Posted by Luckyd609
Because they stop 'dieting'. People will go back to old eating habits once the weight comes off. Calorie creep happens and before you know it you are eating too much.
There is no demon food out there ready to set a trap for you to gain weight. If you watch calorie intake you can virtually eat anything you want. A diet of all the food groups using moderation and learning to make good food choices will be a 'diet' that lasts a lifetime. Eliminating food groups is really hard for most people to do in the long run. Its a set up for failure when they go back to the foods they have missed. Why make anything off limits? Its pointless. If you are the type of person that can eliminate a food group for the rest of your life then more power to you, but understand you are the exception and not the rule.
Have either of you read the book Wheat Belly? These topics are addressed in the book. It's a must read for anyone interested in their own health and that of their families.
Quote:
Originally Posted by markymarc If it's unnecessary, why has there been so much participation on this thread? Also, why can't people lose weight and keep the weight off? I personally think grains have something to do with it.
Have either of you read the book Wheat Belly? These topics are addressed in the book. It's a must read for anyone interested in their own health and that of their families.
The most incredible thing: Neither my husband nor I have ever read this book, and somehow we have managed to stay healthy. Conclusion: this book is -not- a "must read" for anyone interested in their own health and that of their families. It might be interesting for some, and of particular use to others, but it certainly is not a "must read."
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