Why No Grains?
(This is a posting Melissa did a while back. I've added a few things in here that might be of interest).
One of the toughest concepts to swallow when it comes to Paleo eating is the No Grains rule. How in the world could bread, the manna from heaven be bad for you? I had the same reservations as the rest of you. I just couldn't wrap my brain around it. Grains provide Fiber, B-vitamins, whole carbohydrates, FIBER, right? Well, that is true but grains also provide: phytates, gluten, and lectins. What is wrong with that group you ask? 
Well, phytates bind to iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium making them nonabsorbable in the human gut.
Gluten destroys/damages the intestinal microvilli causing a host of problems. Think you don't have an issue with gluten? Think again. A recent study showed 29% of asymptomatic (non-Celiac) folks tested positive for a reaction to gluten. I have seen other studies showing a 90% reaction when looking at another marker. Take home message: even if you do not have gut irritability, you still have a reaction to gluten. That "reaction" may not rear its head now, but more and more studies are linking gluten issues to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Type I diabetes, Lupus, and a medley of other maladies like migraines, acid reflux, reproductive problems, arthritis and asthma. If you would like science to back this up, hop over here.
Per the British Medical Journal, Lectins are toxic, inflammatory, bind to the human GI tract and are indigestible in humans. More on lectins here.
FIBER: non-starchy vegetables can have up to EIGHT times the fiber of grains. That's eight.
Dr. William Davis, New York Times best-selling author of Wheat Belly, has a slightly different perspective on grains. His 30 second elevator speech: "You have been part of a grand deception. The wheat you are being sold is not the wheat of 50 years ago. The genetics changes introduced by geneticists that made it to your store shelves in the 1980s has been largely responsible for the increased calorie consumption, weight gain, and epidemic of diabetes experienced by Americans. Incredibly, we are blamed for these problems, accused by our own government agencies of being gluttonous and lazy. No, I say it is the fault of our own agencies, either through ignorance or turning a blind eye to the incredible changes introduced into this plant. Saying goodbye to modern wheat is reclaiming control over weight, impulse, and health. And it works."
Now you have a bit of an expanded explanation on why grains might not be the best choice. But how do you handle friends and family that are skeptical of your new approach to food? Here is my (Melissa's) elevator speech:
Believe me, I was skeptical too. I thought grains were really good for me. However, I did a little research because I knew eating grains was making me sick with: x.....issue. For me it was IBS. Turns out grains have anti-nutrients which bind to all the great minerals we think we are getting out of bread and pasta. It also has the kind of fiber that kind of scratches the inside of our intestines making them inflamed just like the redness we get around the area when we skin our knee. That inflammation keeps our immune system busy so it might miss a real bacteria that it might need to squish. That bacteria gets through and we get sick. Once I quit grains (and beans for that matter), I really don't get sick. Maybe once a year! The best thing about removing grains and adding more vegetables is that you are getting tons more vitamins and minerals than ever before because your body can actually absorb and use them now!
So, my speech was a little longer than I wanted, but you get the idea. When I get tired of discussing I always give them a challenge: why don't you just try it for a couple of weeks and see if you see a difference! Most folks see or feel an immediate change and your work is done!
What is your elevator speech when it comes to grains? (Beans have similar issues, I lump them into one when emplaining).
(Jules here. I like to put it simply as this: "What do huge factory farms feed cows to quickly fatten them up for slaughter? Instead of grasses, they are fed a diet of grains, soy and corn. This enables the farms to fatten those cows up really quickly. If you're wanting to lean out, might it make sense to try to avoid the very things that enable cows to put on a couple hundred pounds in just a few months?")
So here's one other anecdote: this weekend I was around an awesome, intelligent, handsome 3-year-old who does not eat grains. When he was - once - accidentally exposed to grains, it caused some serious vomiting. Now, I know some people say "well that's because he's not had grains as part of his life! He needs to build up "tolerance" to them!" Of course that makes absolutely no sense. It's like saying we should be making sure our kids drink alcohol to "build up their tolerance" so that in case they drink some by accident, they're okay.
I know there are some blog readers here who have done our BTB45 challenges before, and then introduced grains/gluten/soy/dairy back into their lives afterwards. How did it feel?
Jules
Reader Comments (6)
So, I shared this article and additional web sites with my lunch group...One has migraines, one has rheumatoid arthritis, and the third has autoimmune diseases and take 5 or so medications. They know I am doing the 45 day challenge with 30 strict days. They saw me having Paleo lunches in August. I talked to them about how they could just try it for 30 days and then test what foods might be exacerbate the problem. The Migraine said it would kill her to not eat grains nor sugar. Arthritis is going to see a NEW specialist and is a vegetarian and knows that there might be some connection but won't commit. And Autoimmune and no interest at all. Maybe they might see me privately and I could send them to Jules or Melissa.
I think another worthwhile but simple comparison is to take a grain-heavy meal and see how you feel and take a lean meat and veggie meal and see how you feel. To me, there's an obvious difference. I don't know that everyone's reaction is similar but it's a night-and-day difference to me. Lean meat and veggie meal - I feel good after. Grain-heavy meal - I feel tired after. To me, that's the best litmus test in the world.
I agree with you 100% Bill! I feel so much better after a meal of lean meat and veggies vs. heavy grains, it's amazing. I had basically stopped eating lunch at work due to the post-lunch coma and lack of productivity that inevitably ensued after eating pasta or bread. I am still getting hit by the sleepy bus at 3pm, but hoping that will improve with time. Any one else drinking an espresso at 3:30pm daily????
Also, curious if anyone has gotten the question/comment regarding grains that the fiber in grains is different from that in veggies and eating strictly Paleo and eliminating this type of fiber found only in grains (no idea what was meant by different) is not healthy? This comment came from a friend with a Master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science who focuses on behavior modification and prevention of obesity and diabetes in special populations. So, she's no slouch! Any responses?
Bill - totally noticed that difference too. When I used to have my steel cut oatmeal in the morning (with cottage cheese, fruit, and peanut butter), I'd feel tired and STARVING 2 hours later. Nowadays, I have to remind myself of when to eat the next meal!
JP - lots of good commentary on fiber. While fiber from grains is classified as "cereal fiber," I can't say that I've seen anything that eliminating cereal fiber is "not healthy." I tried to find some scholarly articles on this stating that we *need* cereal fiber, that studies have shown it to do x, y or z...but instead just found more articles on grains in general. Maybe your Masters friend would be interested in some of these? Remember: you can get both soluble and insoluble fiber from fruits and veggies. What you won't get is "functional" fiber, which is added to stuff. I've yet to see "added fiber" labels on broccoli, but I've sure seen a lot of cereals with it!
http://www.formulamedical.com/formula%20for%20life/fiber/all%20the%20different%20fibers.htm
http://www.unbiasedhealth.com/2011/04/paleo-diet-part-ii-cereal-grains-are.html
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-grains-are-unhealthy/#axzz1kbSNTwFI
Julie and Melissa are so right. I have been gluten free since being diagnosed with gluten allergy about 5 years ago. My allergy caused some digestive unpleasantries but mostly created such a histamine reaction in my body that I would have multiple sinus infections each year. Bad news! Am happy to report I have not had a single one in 5 years. In addition, when I occasionally throw caution to the wind and eat a piece of pizza or a cookie.......It is bad news- like a hangover that takes a week to go away.
JP to your friend I would say try it before you discount it. A lot of very educated people have been brainwashed into thinking grains are healthy.
Gwen I have similar situation in my office. It's really amazing the depth of addiction to sugar and bread. Just keep spreading the good news.
JP - I have a friend who also has his undergrad in Biomedical Sciences, and Masters in excercise Science (although the actual name is much longer) and he compeltely promotes that Paleo is a very healthy way of eating. So not sure what he learned that your firend didn't!