Friday, April 26, 2013

Wacky Wheat Widens Waistlines

I've actually never been a big fan of wheat products. Even back when I ate at fast food restaurants, I would throw away extra pieces of bread. Even when making burgers and sandwiches at home, I would tear off extra pieces that went over the side, opt for open-face, or just eat the contents plain with no bread. I've actually always preferred hot dogs with no bun.

This is pure evil ^_^
So, I was actually happy to hear on Dr. Oz that wheat is bad for you. In fact, it's nearly impossible to find wheat anywhere that has not been genetically altered in some foul way. The "Frankenwheat," as they called it, is highly addictive, and causes a higher insulin response than even a candy bar for most people.

Many people actually become highly addicted to wheat. Because it is not something that can cause withdrawal symptoms, they recommend that you stop eating wheat cold turkey. In fact, Dr. Oz and his guest recommend that everyone stop eating wheat, as it has almost no nutritional value, and can cause weight gain.

Yes, you can have pizza!
Since I don't even like the stuff, quitting was fairly easy. At least I wasn't hungry for it. The only thing that was somewhat difficult was finding things to eat that didn't have wheat. When I realized there were tons of foods out there that are both organic and gluten- or wheat-free (same thing), it was easy.

The crazy part is that we had actually gone totally organic, and had been making our own organic whole wheat bread for some time. But the researcher on the Dr. Oz show said that even whole wheat is bad. It's all "Frankenwheat." I'm inclined to believe that, because cutting out organic whole wheat is exactly what worked for me. I was able to find "heirloom" organic wheat, so I'm thinking that may be OK, since it's not "Frankenwheat." I haven't actually tried it though, because going wheat-free has been working so well for me.

... and S'mores!
As soon as I stopped eating wheat, I stopped gaining weight. The wheat-free diet, coupled with eating olives at each meal, has helped me to lose the extra pounds I've gained over the years, without changing anything els in my diet or exercise routine.

One last thing I want to mention is that I've become very in tune with my body. I really always was, but didn't realize that I was making the right choices until now. I think that not becoming easily addicted to anything helps in that regard, which makes me feel bad for anyone who has to deal with an addiction gene. Without an addiction problem, it's much easier to let your body guide you in making the right food choices. When you eat a food that doesn't sit well, you can just stop eating it.
I love these crackers!

45 comments:

  1. I loooove bread, but it doesn't need to be wheat! I'm happy to eat all sorts of whole grains.

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    1. Yeah, I actually like the flavor of the non-wheat breads better! It's a bit dry, but there are ways of getting around that as well. Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. It's not wheat that's the problem so much as the fact that most "wheat" products have had all of the wheat processed out of them. All processed carbs are bad, and we have very little to do with them in our house. We do, however, make homemade bread out of whole wheat, which is pretty good for you.

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    1. We were actually doing the same thing. I've been eating all organic for some time, making our own organic whole wheat bread. But on the show, they said ALL wheat was bad, even organic whole wheat. Cutting out organic whole wheat was what worked for me (and my mother), but I suppose we could just have a sensitivity to it. Thanks for bringing this up though, because I've added these details to my post. Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. We just cut sugar and processed carbs. Sandwiches are kind of a must for lunches for the kids, but we make the bread so that they have a healthier option.
      At any rate, cutting the sugar made a tremendous difference without changing anything else.

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    3. That's definitely the best advice. I cut out most of my sugar intake long ago (especially soda!), and felt so much better. I've never been too fond of sweets though. I prefer my chocolate super dark. :)

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  3. I do love bread, and used to get the double fiber bread from Costco and eat as much fiber as I could. Then I realized how many carbs are in wheat and fiber products and my blood sugar level was getting toward the scary side when I'd never had that problem before.

    That's when I started the low carb diet again, and my blood sugar levels went back to normal. Well, I still think a low carb diet works for me, but I'm trying to switch to all organic foods. Hopefully once I'm secure in that, I'll combine it with low carb.

    Thanks for these wonderful nutrition tips. Writer’s Mark

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    1. You're very welcome! I wish you well in your diet adventures. :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. That's why I don't limit myself to just certain foods. If people ate a little of a lot of different foods it would be a lot better for them. I think a little wheat bread, candy, sugars, or whatever else they like is fine as long as you do it in moderation.

    Dark Thoughts Blog

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    1. Moderation is definitely key, unless you have a sensitivity. I think I may have a sensitivity to wheat because cutting it out worked so well for me. Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. I love bread but I do know its not good for me. When I was trying to lose weight for the wedding, I cut out bread nearly completely and it helped loads. If only I could do that again!

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    1. Yeah, the way you feel when your eating well is worth the little bit of extra work. There are so many options now. Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. I'm also wheat-free, but due to a gluten-intolerance. There are many, many good wheat-free products on the market now. But be careful--many are SUPER high in sugar! (bread, cookies, tortillas, etc) Happy A-to-Z 2013! ~Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/

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    1. I've noticed that. I'm not a big fan of sugar -- it makes my teeth scream -- so I make a lot of my own versions of food, with less sugar. :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Kristen,

    There are whole host of things I should stop eating and bread is one of them. I've only realized recently that most everything we eat is genetically altered. :(

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    1. Well, a lot of things are fine when you buy them organic, even if they are genetically altered in some way. It's just that wheat is a bit different, because of the ways it has been altered, and how the alteration invades and kills off all other wheat. There are heirloom options of many of these things though, even wheat. And have you tasted heirloom tomatoes? They're ugly, but wow! They taste like dessert! You can eat one of those things plain, like an apple! :)

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  8. The number of gluten free products on the shelves surprises me. It's a good thing, though more and more people staying away from wheat. As a diabetic, I stay away from carbs for the most part.

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    1. Yeah, there's a ton of great stuff out there now. I enjoy making my own stuff too. Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Life without bread is tough. Mostly because we eat it so commonly, particularly in social settings. The biggest problem I have is trying to find other things that make me feel full, as bread does. I'll keep working on it.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting

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    1. It has actually become fairly easy for me. There are so many alternatives to wheat now. You can still have bread made with non-wheat flour, and there are lots of options at restaurants. In some cases, you may have to remove croutons from salad, or pull the contents of a taco out of a flour tortilla (not required if it's corn), but it gets easier.

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  10. I've had a lot of luck with low carb eating, that is when I don't eat the bread.

    Thanks for your visits.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm glad you've found something that works for you. You're welcome, and thank you too!

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  11. this is a second diet conscious post I am reading today
    I do eat brown bread and survive on votes and yes I am calorie conscious but when some one eats GOOD FOOD and tempts me I get tempted

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    1. Some areas still have good wheat. You know, I think they said that it's North (and possibly South) America that has bed wheat. I'm not sure what other areas of the world have a problem. I forgot they had said it that way.

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  12. and its new to me to hear wheat is not good :( We eat whole wheat or organic wheat Rotis (buns) skipping rice which is more harmful
    U got me thinking nw :(

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    1. If you can find heirloom wheat, or find it in an area that has not been infected with Frankenwheat seeds, it should be fine.

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  13. I agree ... it's not good to be addicted to anything. I don't eat much bread ... can really go without ...chocolate is my weakness :)

    Silvia @ Silvia Writes

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    1. Ah, yes, chocolate. Same here. :) Luckily, I prefer my chocolate very dark, so at least I don't get a lot of sugar from it. :)

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  14. Interesting! Chocolate is the thing I can't get away from. But it's good for me. ;) In moderation.

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse

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    1. Yep, good stuff! :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. I'm glad that this is working out for you.

    I love bread, but my most favorite kind is potato bread. Definitely not whole wheat. ICK!

    Our youngest daughter has never been a bread eater. She thinks the texture is gross. She's always had to deal with people looking at her funny when she orders a burger with no bread. :)

    I hope that you have a great weekend!

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    1. You guys are lucky, like me, to not be bread fans! :)

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  16. For me there is nothing more yummy tan a slice or 3 of toast with butter. But boy do I pay for it! A pain in my finger almost immediately! Sometimes I'll have rye so that I can have butter. Two necessary evils :). great post Kristen thank you - it makes me hungry!
    Susan Scott's Soul Stuff

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    1. Haha! Yes, I do that with some things as well, such as coffee. I love coffee, but am very sensitive to it. I now have only one full cup of caffeinated coffee on Sunday, a full cup of mostly decaf on Saturday, and a half cup of mostly decaf on all other days. :)

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  17. These days I seem to rely on breads more... quick breakfast or a quick snack for me is always a slice of bread... and you got me thinking now...

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    1. It also depends on whether you can find non-Frankenwheat. In North America, it's all bad. But if you can find a source of "heirloom" wheat, it should be OK, in moderation.

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  18. So hard to try to figure out what to eat these days. What's good for you one day is the devil incarnate the next it seems. The wheat thing does seem to be getting a good bit of buzz though and you make yet another person who feels better without it so I might just have to look into it further. Great post!

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    1. Thank you. The problem is not natural wheat, but what has been done to it. If you can find "heirloom" wheat, it should be fine, in moderation. It's just that the Frankenwheat was purposely created to infect all other wheat so that there would be a monopoly ... and that Frankenwheat is not good for you.

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  19. Wow that's a whole lotta info on wheat. Something to think about..thanks!

    Four Leaf Clover

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    1. You're welcome, and thanks for stopping by!

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  20. Terrific post, Kristen.

    It so true, and I learned something from you about ORGANIC wheat. I LOVE to bake and had changed to organic wheat thinking that was the key, but now you say it isn't true. Let me know how that Heirloom organic wheat works for you. I need some type of wheat for my baking. I should start to experiment with different flours as well.

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    1. Thank you. I'm doing a lot of experimenting with all sorts of interesting flours. I think that they actually taste much better than wheat, but come out more dry. I have been able to make brownies that are super-moist though. I'll let you know. Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. I stopped eating bread in January. I never thought I could do it as my favourite food is toast, but I've managed to go this far without caving in. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it though!

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  22. Great post. I recently watched a documentary called "Hungry for Change". It is on the Netflix live streaming. It was fantastic. I am going to make my husband watch it with me. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.

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  23. I hadn't heard about the olive thing before. I've reduced my wheat intake by quite a bit in the last year. I really only miss sandwiches so do have one now and again. I love those crackers, too! They have much more flavor than ordinary wheat ones.

    Thanks for stopping by to introduce me to you!

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