"On the other hand, whole grains come with lots of fiber, minerals, and vitamins, and we do see that higher intakes of these carbohydrates are related to less weight gain and lower risks of diabetes and heart disease."
Misleading. This is only true if a person switches from refined sugars to these type of foods and in doing so loses fat. It is certainly NOT true if the bulk of ones calories comes from grains. And whole grains are not as healthy as Dr. Willett would have you believe. See here:
"Thus, replacing the huge amounts of refined starch and sugar in our diets with healthy forms of carbohydrates can have very positive benefits. If we are consuming healthy fats and healthy carbohydrates, the exact proportions don't make a major difference, which gives people many options for creating delicious and healthy meals."
Here is what Dr. Willett is NOT telling you:
"Clinical Effects of Inadequate Carbohydrate Intake
The lower limit of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero, provided that adequate amounts of protein and fat are consumed."
All ingested carbohydrates turn into simple sugars. So once digested, a candy bar and a brown rice are the same. Too much sugar is too much sugar. And too much sugar is what is killing this country.
Eat your protein and eat your non starchy veggies. That's it. Do this and watch your health soar beyond your doctors expectations. Adding grain of any kind will only serve to decrease your overall health.
Fredof NY7:08AM April 15, 2010
When I started following his food pyramid and what not my cholestral went from over 200 to 120 and my tryglcerides from 190 to 75. Yes, you read that right, 75.
Whole grains, nuts and other fats, beans, fruits and veggies... I'm still at a very healthy weight, I eat A LOT more than I used to because it is all good stuff and I can :)
Give it a try for six months before you bash it :)
BBBBBof CA11:01PM February 26, 2010
I mostly agree with Dr. Willett who is an outstanding authority on this subject, but unfortunately his background has been somewhat shaped by the medical/research complex which is is highly influenced by large corporations in the pharma, food production and processing and agri-business arena. Medical research in most cases produces many amazing breakthroughs with vital results. But when it comes to nutrition and its impact on health, its an entirely different story and not a pretty one.
I follow Matt Stone at 180degreehealth. The results of his extensive research and analysis of the "national eating disorder" is shocking and in contradiction to most of the information that we get from the above mentioned organization/complex. This situation had led to alaring health trends in the USA and will continue to do so unless reversed. We must do a 180 in our thinking and actions now.
Matt provides a totally unbiased opinion based on hard facts. Find him at 180degreehealth, or search "alarming health trends".
His current blog addresses this subject directly.
ronof TX2:47PM March 30, 2009
"One man's meat is another man poison"
Personally both bananas and potatoes are restricted
as foods because they have high glycemic indexes.
I control my blood sugar with a high fat low carb diet.
Indeed, I lost weight on the basis of this permanent
dietary change.
We talk of the Mediterranean Diet but may I suggest it
involves more than just diet, it likely involves more
walking.
There fat and there are fats. Some fats lend themselves
with the promotion of inflammation. Many so-called
saturated fats are loaded with arachidonic acid and
other fats are loaded with it precursors. Arachidonic
acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid used by the body
to make inflammatory prostaglandins. And yet
other fats are neutral or even antiinflammatory.
Dwight Hooperof WA1:32PM March 19, 2009
Although potatoes are considered a no-no, they provide more potassium than bananas and many other sources. Having a reasonable serving with a balanced diet will not break the bank, as long as the add-ons are kept to a minimum.
Melissaof FL10:59AM February 27, 2009
I do not know how these foods can be bad when they are the stables of healthy cultures from Asia to the Mediteranean.
health.sekss.usof AL5:27PM February 24, 2009
I was reently diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome after more than 12 years of eating protein, vegetables and fruit (no bread, pasta, potatoes or rice). Now my basic diet consists of white organic breads, white basmati rice, white and sweet potatoes and pasta. I must have one with evey meal and I avoid red meats & fatty foods to avoid the wrath of IBS. I have found that my cholesterol has dropped 13 points (189 to 176) my LDL ratio is better than before, and my trigliceride level has never been lower. I do not know how these foods can be bad when they are the stables of healthy cultures from Asia to the Mediteranean. The real culprit in the US diet is too much processed fatty foods and the enormous portions.
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Reader Comments
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GoldSalebol of AL 6:02AM May 23, 2010
Fred of NY 7:08AM April 15, 2010
BBBBB of CA 11:01PM February 26, 2010
ron of TX 2:47PM March 30, 2009
Dwight Hooper of WA 1:32PM March 19, 2009
Melissa of FL 10:59AM February 27, 2009
health.sekss.us of AL 5:27PM February 24, 2009
EJ of NY 5:58PM February 20, 2009