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- iHaveNet.com: Health
by Marsha McCulloch, MS, RD
Think Twice Before Giving Up Grains
Though going grain-free is a popular diet trend, grains -- especially in their whole form -- provide a significant portion of important nutrients in the diet.
You've likely noticed the proliferation of books, websites, and specialty foods aimed at helping people avoid gluten-containing grains -- and all other grains, too. While a small group of scientists, medical professionals and bloggers are leading the charge for grain-free diets -- declaring grains a mismatch based on human evolution -- the majority of experts believe grain-free diets for the masses are a wrong move. If you've considered ditching grains, it's important to understand the science and the potential pitfalls if you do so.
Who should avoid certain grains? Clearly, those with an allergy to wheat or other grains must avoid them. And the 1 percent of the population with celiac disease and the 6 percent with non-celiac gluten sensitivity must avoid all gluten, a protein found in grains, including wheat, rye and barley. With a doctor's approval, most people with a gluten sensitivity can eat small amounts of uncontaminated oats; all other uncontaminated, gluten-free grains are typically allowed.
Gluten and autoimmune disease.
According to an
The nutrient gap.
Gluten-free diets carry the concern of nutritional deficiencies, and completely grain-free diets only heighten that risk.
70 percent of folate
60 percent of thiamin
50 percent of iron
40 percent or more of niacin, riboflavin and selenium
25 percent of magnesium and zinc
Jones is especially concerned about the impact a grain-free diet could have on folic acid intake. "Since the mid-1990s when it became mandatory to add folic acid to enriched grain products, the incidence of neural tube birth defects, such as spina bifida, has dropped by more than 50 percent," she says.
Anti-nutrient solutions.
Proponents of grain-free diets voice concern about anti-nutrients in grains. Grains, especially whole grains, contain a substance called phytate that impairs the body's absorption of some minerals. However, in populations with well-balanced diets, this may be of little consequence. There are ways to minimize phytate, too. "Breads made with longer fermentation times, such as
Unique fiber in grains.
Fiber in grains is not the same as the fiber in other foods. "Some people reason that if they eat more broccoli, for instance, then it won't matter if they don't eat grains. But, thinking you don't need grain fiber because you get a lot of vegetable fiber is like saying that if you get enough vitamin A you don't need any vitamin C. That's just plain wrong," Jones says. For example, beta glucan, the fiber best at lowering cholesterol, is present only in oats and barley. It's grain fiber, rather than fiber from any source, that is linked with a reduced risk of colon cancer.
Feeding the good bugs.
A 2009 study published in the
When all is said and done, the more restricted your food options are, the more careful you'll need to be to ensure your body gets what it needs. So, look beyond diet books' bestseller headlines and sensationalistic stories to make sure any dietary change is appropriate for you.
Article: Copyright ©, Tribune Content Agency, LLC
"Think Twice Before Giving Up Grains"