Against the Grain

As you probably know I'm not a big fan of grains, especially wheat. I don't care whether or not it's "whole grain" or not. Grains are concentrated sources of calories. On an evolutionary timeline, the consumption of grain is new. The Neolithic Revolution occurred only 11,000 years ago. Our bodies still think grains are relatively new.

Grains come in many forms: buckwheat, barley, amaranth, arrowroot, rye, bulgar, durum flour, semolina, teff, Job's Tear, corn, oats, Kamut, millet, spelt, rice, sorghum, etc. The most ubiquitous grain is wheat. Highly subsidized, and highly allergic too. One more reason that you might want to consider eliminating wheat is that it's one of the most common allergens. Gluten/wheat intolerance occurs when the small intestine cannot properly digest gluten, a protein found in wheat. To be clear, gluten intolerance is not the same as Celiac's disease.

It's estimated that 1/1000 people are allergic to wheat, but there's a lot of evidence that indicates that many more people are "closet Celiacs." They are actually suffering the effects of gluten intolerance but don't even know it. Gluten intolerance can lead to digestive disorders, and can damage your adrenal glands. It can also exacerbate other health problems as well: cancer, autoimmune disorders, chronic pain syndromes, and neurological disorders. It is also associated with ADD, epilepsy, osteoporosis, premature birth, and liver diseases.

Gluten-free grains include amaranth, corn, brown rice, and quinoa. Some people with Celiac's disease can tolerate oats, but not all. Beware that many products in the grocery store include hidden sources of gluten. Watch out for hydrolyzed vegetable protein, maltodextrin, flavorings, and dextrin. Common sources include prepackaged meals, soups, and even canned vegetables. Watch out for energy bars. Almost all of those have some form of wheat. Good sources without wheat include Enjoy Life bars, Kind bars, and Clif Bars. Most products nowadays will deliberately indicate whether or not they contains wheat (as well as nuts, soy eggs, and milk).

If you've been have adverse reactions to any grains, then eliminate them now. If you feel that grains "don't agree" with you, then try to find the particular grain that triggers that adverse response. If you're trying to lose fat, then I'd eliminate grains all together. They're concentrated sources of calories. Starches and fat loss are bad combinations! There's a reason why skinny guys who want to gain muscle mass eat a lot of grains. They're concentrated sources of calories. If you do eat grains, only eat them during the first hour after exercise or for breakfast.

Don't believe claims that whole grains have to be part of a healthy diet. They're not very good sources of nutrition, and they're easy to overconsume. They taste awful alone, and I don't think they are necessary for optimal health. As for protein, they contain a little, but if you want protein, eat beans, nuts, and meat. Even as a very active triathlete, I avoid most grains. So even if you are very active, you probably still don't need them.

Kevin