Re: Subject: Re: Barley & Old World Foods was a few carb questions -Heidi

[Guest guest]

>so, i'm a bit confused about grains... are ALL grains bad for us? or just

the gluten grains?

>

>or are they only bad for those of us who are unable to digest them? or get

ill-feeling from them?

You might want to read the chapter on grains in Sally's book. Gives lots

of detail. Basically, like most things, it's not a good/evil

split with an easy answer.

No one really has a good answer on the grain thing, IMO.

There is lots of research going on. They do have fiber,

but it's not the sort of fiber that helps the gut (i.e. that

produces butyrate). Some grains have " resistant starch "

that DOES help produce butyrate though.

Many grains have phytates that inhibit digestion,

so they need to be soaked and fermented etc. ideally.

But that doesn't remove all the phytates. Different

grains have different amounts of phytates.

Grains tend to be the most allergenic foods, but

not everyone is allergic to them.

Grains have some nutrients, but not as many

as other foods like meat and vegies. Mostly

they have a lot of calories, which most of us

don't really need more of. They tend to make

people (and cows and chickens) gain weight.

Basically we eat grains because they are cheap,

easy to store and transport, and are a sort of

comfort food, and addictive to a lot of people.

Obviously they *can* be part of a healthy diet:

Price found several cultures that did well eating

grains. My family does eat grains: I don't much

but that is my choice. We just don't eat

wheat/barley/rye at all.

Heidi Jean