We have been sold a bill of goods that wheat is healthy for us. They (whoever “they” are) tell us to be sure to eat whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat crackers. Whole wheat is necessary for a well rounded diet. It is good for you. Don’t even think about eating white flour products, they are so bad for you. What a big fat lie!
The wheat of today is not the wheat of yesterday. Today’s wheat has been hybridized so many times that our body doesn’t even recognize it as food. Eating wheat is the same as eating a cloth napkin. Yummy.
I don’t know how many times I have heard “I can eat wheat because I don’t have celiac disease.” I am beginning to believe that no one is really able to eat wheat. From all of the reading I have done, the mini case studies I have done in my office and what I have noticed on myself I have formed the opinion that wheat is evil. Whole wheat, white wheat, cracked wheat… all of it is bad for us.
Wheat causes inflammation to the intestines. Just the inflammation is enough to cause pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and gas but the inflammation ends up causing holes in the intestines. The break down of the intestines causes an inability to filter, which leads to a leaky gut. Larger proteins cross into the blood stream where they don’t belong, creating more inflammation and an immune response. Allergies, joint pain, rashes, fatigue, autoimmune reactions all can be caused from a leaky gut due to wheat.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms I highly recommend getting off wheat for the next 30 days. This doesn’t mean you can eat gluten free cookies, cakes, breads and pastas as this is just trading one evil for another. Eat mostly vegetables, a little bit of fruit and little bit of meat (chicken, turkey, beef) or fish.
After doing this for a month I re-introduced wheat. I didn’t notice anything immediately and thought I was one who could get away with eating some. Nope. A couple days into it I started getting stomach pains and bloating, both of which were completely gone when I was wheat free. I am recommitting to staying away from wheat. I do know there will be times when I will eat it but I will try to make those special times (ie. birthday cake).
Good luck and let me know how you are doing. Stayed tuned for my next post on how you can heal your gut naturally.
Yours In Health,
Dr. Wendy
Resources:
Dangerous Grains by James Braly, MD and Ron Hoggan, MA
Wheat Belly by William Davis, MD
The Grain Diet by Joseph Mercola, MD
The Paleo Diet by Robb Wolf
Yes Wendy!! I Agree with you! I am reminded every sooo often just how wheat products does a number on my whole system!! I hadn’t had any type of wheat for a couple weeks up until last night and I woke up this morning with my arthritis in my ankle really bothering me… I am hobbling around and wondering why I thought the bread I ate was so yummy last night when I am in so much discomfort today from it. It is NOT worth the momentary yumminess of a treat if I am going to hobble around the next day because of it! Greens, Fruits and Fish for me!! Thanks for sharing this Wendy!
Yes, I agree, wheat causes inflammation. Eliminating wheat from my diet has helped me lose weight and has helped with my achy joints.
Your Local Farmer,
Lisa Wilcox, NTP
I agree with your statements on wheat.
However, years ago I discoved Spelt and Kamut. These two wheats are truly the original wheats my grandparents knew. They don’t cause any of the symptoms that wheat causes. I make my own bread, pasta and sweets using either spelt or Kamut. I grind my own grains, so I can have cereals and cracked wheat.
I buy my grains in bulk from Bob’s Red Mill in Milwaukee, Oregon; outside of Portland.