The public has been brain washed for many years to believe that all grains are good for health. Although nearly everyone agrees that whole grains are better than refined grains, there are a few aspects to consider carefully:
- highly processed grain products should not be eaten by anyone because it consists of empty calories without any nourishment value; the following should be avoided: white rice, instant oatmeal, all instant cereals, pastries, breads, pasta, bagels, chips (French fries), baked crisps, pretzels, waffles, pancakes, baked goods;
- whole grain or whole wheat products are nearly unobtainable in our modern society; what is sold as “whole wheat” is most of the time husked grains with the germ taken out – it has little nutritional value; try to find freshly ground spelt, millet, barley, oats, wheat or kamut that have not been processed;
- anyone who is overweight or has high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes are badly affected by eating grains. The higher your insulin levels and the more prominent your signs of insulin overload are, the more you should elimination grain;
- if a person is a protein metabolic type, all grains should be avoided as it can be harmful to the whole body system.
Because grains (as well as other disaccharides-containing foods like potatoes, corn, and non-cultured dairy products) can be difficult to digest, it must first be properly treated through soaking, sprouting or fermenting. One result is that phytates, a toxic substance present in the bran of all seeds that inhibits mineral absorption (calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc), can be reduced or eliminated. Some of the most toxic phytates is found in the sugary breakfast cereals that people gulp down the mornings while in a hurry and which the children love! Spouting also neutralizes enzyme inhibitors present in all seeds and can inactivate other toxins in seeds.
The “Low Carb Diet” can also be a wrong choice if grains are substituted with equally unhealthy foods like large quantities of non-organic meat and dairy. It is not the meat in itself that is the problem but the fact that most of the meat available comes from animals fed with grains (in stead of grass) or injected with antibiotics and/or hormones. Too much animal protein also put an immense load on the liver and kidneys and should be avoided.
We should aim for a balanced diet with the following features:
- Eliminate all refined and high glycemic carbohydrates
- Use nutrient dense foods like vegetables that give beneficial carbs and fiber
- Keep meat consumption to a minimum
- Eliminate pasteurised non-organic dairy
- Add beneficial omega-3 fats namely fish oil and flaxseed oil
Natural carbohydrates will include whole-grain sourdough and sprouted-grain breads and cereal grains, soaked and fermented lentils, beans, and other legumes, soaked seeds and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables as well as fermented vegetables.