Delicious baked treats—a variety of cookies, chewy brownies, and mini cheesecakes—appear out of thin air in our kitchen during the Christmas holiday. It happened again this week, as my wife moved deftly among ingredients, magic wand measuring spoons in hand. In past years the laws of supply and demand required a quick pace to maintain an equitable balance between the two—the shelf life of chocolate snaps, fruit drops, and snickerdoodles could be measured in minutes, not days.
But not this year.
The brownies, obviously baffled, stared at me from their colorful holiday plate, dwindling in number until only a single crumbling morsel remained. I didn't see it go. The little cheesecakes? Huddled in the refrigerator under wrap, waiting for Christmas Eve. AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE, NOT A COOKIE IN SIGHT. What happened here?
I've given myself a gift of better health.
Most of us try, a time or two, to improve our diets, exercise regularly, and avoid foods* we know are bad for our health. But none of that comes easily—it takes time to be healthy, and we're in a hurry. And there's so much information to digest. Over- whelmed, we retreat toward convenience, especially at mealtimes. I've done that, too. But three months ago, after reading a book on nutrition and disease, I decided to try something different—I eliminated wheat from my diet.
Ever wonder why Santa Claus is a jolly round fellow?
Dr. William Davis will tell you—it's because of all those cookies! And bread, bagels, cakes, cereals, pasta—anything (and everything) made from "healthy whole grains." Wheat, in a word. There are other culprits that damage our health, he advises, but wheat is The Big One, genetically modified beyond count and never tested on humans to see how it might affect their health. Oops.
A cardiologist, Davis wrote Wheat Belly, 228 pages chronicling his experiences with wheat, the effects it has on our bodies, and real-life case stories drawn from the thousands of patients he's treated. His bias towards real food is evident (he points out the many healthy foods available that don't include wheat), but his tone isn't evangelical. I'll admit, I bogged down near the middle as he explained some of the body's intricate workings, but by then I was convinced of the truth of his arguments—and ready to experiment. What could I lose?
As it's happened: fifteen pounds. Frequent, insistent cravings. The subtle aching in my knees (after only ten days.) Yawning fits. The list goes on. In the process I've regained a sense of taste—an enjoyment for what I eat. Minus the aches, my gym workouts (moderate weights and cardio) are fresher and more productive. I wasn't significantly overweight when I removed wheat from my personal menu (although I didn't care for the view in my mirror), but the pounds came off quickly. I was, and am, amazed.
If you're looking for a great book for your favorite photographer I heartily recommend Wheat Belly. Here's a link to Amazon (the Kindle version is now out), or patronize your local bookseller or library.
*As a kid I loved the taste of Twinkies and that creamy center—we all did. But there wasn't any cream in it (it's white vegetable shortening). Here's a partial list of the other ingredients—enriched wheat flour, sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, vegetable and/or animal shortening (containing one or more of partially hydrogenated soybean, cottonseed or canola oil, and beef fat), dextrose, whole eggs, modified corn starch, salt, cornstarch, wheat gluten, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, Yellow #5, and Red #40. Mmmm.
I haven't read his book, nor heard of his theory but from your post, it soiunds like I am living proof of the exact opposite to his theory (and your new belief). I eat many many many many many carbohydrate types. It makes up most of my diet, along with some plant based fats from nuts, fruits, etc.. Most fruits & vegetables are carbs too. So I don't see carbs as the enemy. But more to the point of his book, I also eat A LOT of wheat, coming in many different end forms, from baking, to pasta, to tortillas, etc.. But contrary to his theory, I'm not overweight at all, do not suffer from the implied health ailments, & don't see a connection with his theory at all. I will read the book.
ReplyDeleteI do practice his advice of eathing whole foods, but I don't eliminate wheat. I think that you can do better by simply eating less animal fats, less to zero meat, eating more & more fruits & vegetables (as EVERY doctor or nutritionist or dietician or scientist advises), & EXERCISE. From my 58 years, I haven't found that any of these fad diets have made much sense, nor last that long. But those that do eat a high fat more commercial product diet, are suffering.
You are what you eat.
Don't believe everything that you read.
Don't believe everything that you think.
good luck, but I'm not banning wheat.
I missed your comment (turned off the email notification by mistake).
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, have you finished the book? What Davis writes is not theory, nor another "fad diet." Some of it correlates to your experiences, some doesn't. To paraphrase a time-worn saying, opinions are like f/stops: we all have one. I AM glad you're living a healthy lifestyle, that's the key...finding the right "lock" (for each of us) is the difficult part.