Grain Free
People often opt for grain-free diets because they hope to enhance overall health by decreasing gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating and weight. Dr. William Davis, a cardiologist and best-selling author, also suggests that eliminating grains could reduce anxiety and improve mood.
However, other medical experts state that the removal of grains could lead to nutritional deficiencies and loss of valuable fiber intake. Before going on a grain-free diet, there are some things you should know.
The Difference Between Grain-Free and Gluten-Free
Going on a grain-free diet consists of eliminating all grain products and is not the same as going gluten-free. Gluten is a collective term for proteins that are found in grains, such as rye, wheat and barley. A gluten-free diet allows for consumption of grains that lack these proteins. Continue reading
You might need to switch to a grain-free diet because you have serious allergies or because you have problems digesting rice, rye, wheat and other grains. An additional reason for avoiding grains is because you are diabetic, and carbohydrates will increase your blood sugar levels.
You may also want to avoid grains because you need to lose a lot of weight. If you are accustomed to eating grains on a daily basis, then you will have several side effects when you begin a grain-free diet plan.
Intense Mental Cravings
When you stop eating bread, pasta or baked goods, you will probably have intense mental cravings for grains. For most individuals, grains are a large part of their daily diet, and when they stop eating grain-based foods, there is a reaction in the brain that makes it difficult to resist pasta, cake and bread. You can compensate for these cravings by having fresh vegetables and fruits. Continue reading
