Could the #1 belly fat producer and health destroyer be a food that most of us eat every day? I have to admit that I've been resistant to the thought of it (especially because I'm half Italian), but my tune is changing because there's just too much scientific evidence that backs it up.
Ask my family and friends and they'll be the first to tell you that I've been through more dietary phases than there are ears in a cornfield (what a crusty cliche…). This new info leads me to yet another experiment on myself that could well turn into a permanent lifestyle change.
Whole wheat may not be the way to go
Here's the scoop. 2 slices of whole wheat bread have a higher glycemic index than sugar. All my formal training lead me to be on the "whole grain" band wagon with most of my other fitness professional and dietician colleagues. Well, I'm thinkin now…Not so much!
My new goal is to do my best to become "Wheat Free". We'll see what happens? If all goes well, perhaps some of the common wheat gluten sensitivity symptoms that I have (memory issues, itchy skin patches and brain fog) will disappear. Cross your fingers and toes for me guys, because theses itchy spots are driving me nuts!
More and more evidence reveals that our modern day wheat may be about the worst thing we should be putting in our mouths. Whole grain, sprouted or not. As Dr. Davis says "A low tar cigarette is still a cigarette."
Just bought the book "Wheat Belly, Lose the Wheat Lose the Weight" written by Dr. William Davis, a Cardiologist and seeker of the truth of health. What he's all about really struck a chord with me. I so agree with getting to the root cause of things and not just putting a band-aid on it by addressing only the symptoms.
There's another Doc that I'm in the process of investigating who also is on the anti-gluten band wagon. His name is Dr. Thomas O'Bryan, an Internationally recognized speaker and workshop leader specializing in Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease and as his bio says is a ‘Sherlock Holmes’ for chronic disease and metabolic disorders.
Mark Sisson and all the other "Paleo" dudes, may have been onto something all along. I've got more to say about this can of worms in future posts, but until then… what are your experiences with "Wheat" or "Gluten Free" diets? Good, bad or the ugly? Tell us in the comment section below. Also don't forget to forward this post along to your family and friends who may be experiencing some of the same negative side effects from wheat gluten.
I have to say I've been playing around with this one myself and from my own experience I think it makes a big difference. When I really noticed it is when a guest came and we went out to eat more. I left my whole foods diet and ate processed, and yes, I could feel wheat again.
It's an addiction like anything else though. When you decide to not eat it, everything that has it in it smells really good. One starts craving it. Once getting through the initial few weeks of just pushing it away, it physically feels really good. I'm back at it again.