Are Grains Really Bad For You?
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Should You Avoid Or Just Limit Grains?
On today’s episode of Live Lean TV, we’re answering the following viewer question, are grains really bad for you?
Today’s viewer question is from #AskLiveLeanTV Ep. 017.
Here’s today’s viewer question:
Nadia Rosales on YouTube asks: Can you explain why grains are not healthy? I find it very difficult planning my meals without grains.
Are Grains Really Bad For You?
Brad: We’ve talked about this so many times, therefore I’ll share a post called, The Truth About Whole Grains, where I talk about it in full detail.
Note: I made the above video post back in 2013 where I shared 4 reasons why you should avoid grains to Live Lean. However, looking back at it now, I kind of cringe because I was very absolute in saying you should AVOID grains to Live Lean. Although I still stand behind everything said, I just wish I switched the word “AVOID” with “Limit”. Living Lean is all about lifestyle, therefore you need to find the balance. Just make sure you earn your grains by working out for them.
In addition to this, here are a few more posts on whole grains and bread:
- The Truth About Your Bread
- Can You Eat Bread And Get Abs?
- Whole Grain vs Multigrain vs Whole Wheat vs Wholemeal
However, let me give you the Coles Notes version of what happens in your body when you eat grains.
When you eat grains, your body will get an insulin spike.
This means your insulin production goes up, this putting your body at a potential risk of storing a lot of the calories as potential fat, if your glycogen levels are already full.
This is often referred to as the spill over effect.
Also, a lot of grains are refined, which means the nutrients are taken out of it.
A lot of people may also be intolerant to gluten.
When I eat grains, I can feel it in my belly, which causes me to get gassy.
Jessica: Yes, when we go to bed at night, we both know when Brad has ate grains. 😂
Brad: However, this doesn’t mean that you can never eat grains again. It’s not an all-or-nothing thing. I need to keep referring to this regarding a lot of things, when it comes to Living Lean. It’s not like you can never have a piece of bread. Just make better choices.
Jessica: The healthy versus not healthy discussion is not so black and white either. You can’t just put grains in the unhealthy category, because they are “healthier” than twinkies and McDonalds.
Brad: Yes, exactly. If you’re going to fill out your plate with grains, or if you are going to make a sandwich, then choose Ezekiel bread over white bread. There are different levels to healthy foods.
Jessica: Yeah, we have Ezekiel bread in our refrigerator. It’s not like we don’t eat any grains.
Brad: When we say don’t eat grains, it just means to cut your consumption back. There are so many other foods that you could be filling yourself up with. If you say you are bored with eating the same foods, you need to be open to experiment with new foods. You can eat a brand new food, that you’ve never had, every single day of the year, and you still wouldn’t cover all the foods, including fruits and vegetables, that you could eat.
Jessica: We did a video post that gives different grain free bread food alternatives you’re probably used to eating. This gives examples of other grain free bread substitutes that are better.
Brad: If you are finding it very difficult to plan your meals without grains, our Eat Clean Live Lean Cookbook has all over 200 grain-free recipes. If you had that cookbook, this means you will never have to eat grains again, when you follow the recipes and meal plans in it.
I understand why a lot of people are confused when it comes to knowing how to reduce the amount of grains in your diet.
However, it becomes much easier when you have a grain-free cookbook with recipes and meal plans to guide you. We always talk about the importance of having a plan. When you have a plan, you can accomplish anything.
Jessica: A lot of things are difficult when you don’t have a plan. However, once you have a plan, it becomes simple.
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Question For You:
- Are you working towards reducing the number of grains in your diet?
- What are you favorite grain free substitutes?
Be sure to share your answers in the comment section below.
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Brad Gouthro is the founder of Live Lean TV, a media company focused on helping men and women “Live Lean” 365 days a year. Brad’s programs and content have helped millions of people all over the world learn how to get in shape, and more importantly, sustain it for life.
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