What’s Happening: Whole Grains

What’s Happening: Whole Grains

In case you ever had secret doubts about whether or not grains are really all that bad for you, doubt no more: this week, Anthony Colpo posted Part II of an epic whole-grain takedown, tearing into bad science and inadequate evidence behind the grain-pushing agenda (Part I dealt specifically with the question of fiber and why we all mistakenly believe we need so much of it). A brief warning: these articles are not particularly polite, nor do they pull any punches – if you’re easily offended by strong language, you might want to stay away. If that’s not a problem for you, go dig into Part I and Part II.

For even more grain-related news, the latest Bulletproof Executive podcast digs deep into the science of gluten: if you ever wondered what it really was or why it’s so bad for you, now you know. Lately, it even seems like the whole grain evangelists themselves are souring a little on their favorite “health” food: Marion Nestle recaps an FDA decision that manufacturers can’t boast about whole-grain products “preventing diabetes” (for the very valid reason that…they don’t, and there is absolutely no evidence to prove that they do).

Moving on to foods that you might actually be interested in eating:

• Mark’s Daily Apple puts food prices into perspective by reminding us all of what we’re really paying for (the true cost of food when farmers aren’t using the environment as a giant dumpster), and what we’re getting (real, nourishing meals that help us avoid expensive healthcare down the line).

• One of the biggest problems with the modern healthcare system is that diet and preventative medicine almost never comes up in conversations with your doctor. Read about one medical student’s experience with this here: he was actually penalized for trying to help his patients improve their diets!

• Sarah at The Healthy Home Economist gives some tips for when you have to take antibiotics, but want to minimize the damage to your gut.

• A guest post at Chris Kresser’s blog details some diet and nutrition tips for avoiding kidney stones.

• A guest post at Fooducate takes on some of the language we use about food: don’t say you’re “cheating” when you eat something for non-health-related reasons, because you’re only cheating yourself.

Do you “cheat” when you eat something non-Paleo? Or do you have a better way of talking about it to yourself? Let us know on Facebook or Google+!