A few days ago I received this link in an email from Shape Magazine called The Good in Gluten. I was intrigued due to the fact I've been reading how terrible Gluten is in Dr Davis's Wheat Belly. What I read in this article had to be written by the Wheat Growers Association because someone with an interest in selling wheat had to be behind the ridiculousness this article contains.
Here are some of the points the article makes on why going gluten free is unhealthy....
"...cutting out gluten could mean you're cutting out these key nutrients that keep your health, energy, and metabolism at their best."
1. B Vitamins- apparently according to Shape, Wheat is the main source of B Vitamins (synthetic and added back to processed wheat products) in our American diet and without wheat we will become deficient.
Other Sources of B Vitamins: fruits and vegetables (especially dark leafy greens), whole grains, beans, papayas, oranges, and cantaloupe.
Vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal products (such as fish, poultry, meat, eggs, or dairy) so it's a good idea for Vegans to supplement this Vitamin.
2. Iron- While wheat does contain iron, the refining process greatly reduces the amount in the finished product ie: flour. Also wheat contains phytic acid that acts as an iron inhibitor. So wheat is hardly a good source of iron.
Other Souces of Iron: Meat, seafood, legumes, spinach, oats, quinoa, and buckwheat. Don't forget to pair non animal sources of iron with foods high in vitamin C such as bell peppers, citrus, and tomatoes to ensure absorption.
3. Folate- Shapes third reason to eat wheat is essentially the same as it's first. I guess they wanted to have a five point argument.
Other Sources of Folate: Lentils, Leafy Greens, Avocados, Vegetables.Harvard Nutrition actually recommends you avoid foods heavily fortified with folic acid like fortified wheat products.
4. Fiber- The average slice of bread contains 1.5 grams of fiber. An Apple, 3 grams. A quarter cup of almonds 2.5 grams. One cup of beans 19 grams. Certainly people who don't consume gluten can get plenty of fiber in their diet from better sources than wheat. I'm still managing to get between 25-40 grams of fiber a day despite being gluten free.
Other Sources of Fiber: Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Beans, pretty much anything that comes from a plant.
5. Satiety- it's a nutrient now according to Shape. While their point is valid that replacing wheat products with their gluten free counterparts often results in consuming more calories, I feel like they are reaching to make a point. You can make unhealthy dietary choices whether or not wheat is part of your diet. Eating gluten isn't a healthier choice if your eating twinkies, just as eating gluten free isn't going to help you lose weight if all you eat are gluten free cookies.
Breakfast:
Lunch: Veggie Wraps with Rudis Gluten Free Original Tortillas, Roasted Pepper and Balsamic Hummus, Avocado, Zucchini, Tomato and Spinach.
Snacks: Chocolate Peanut Butter Skout Bar
Raw Cheese
Dinner: Shredded Beef Tacos and Pinto Beans
For the Beef:
1 Yellow Onion, sliced
2-3lb Beef Chuck Roast
1 Packet Simply Organic Taco Seasoning
11 oz Jar of Apricot Preserves
Put all ingredients in Crockpot and turn to low. Cook for 8 hours. Remove Meat to large bowl and shred with forks. Serve in corn tortillas.
For Beans:
1 Can Pinto Beans, drained
1 medium Zucchini, diced
2 ladles full of Beef liquid with onions from cooked roast
In a small saucepan combine all ingredients. Cook until mixture thickens and zucchini is cooked through.
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