Winter 2014 News and notes on living the good life...
CountryMinute
making wheat a healthy part of your diet– With more and more fad diets gaining traction over the last several years, it can be a challenge to know exactly what you should be eating these days. One of the latest buzz terms to hit grocery store shelves in recent years is “gluten free.” A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. While gluten-free diets are important as a treatment option for those suffering from celiac disease, they are not for everyone. In recent years, many people have begun eating gluten free as a way to lose weight quickly, something that Judi Adams, a registered dietician and
president of the Wheat Foods Council, advises against. “My primary recommendation is don’t go gluten free unless you have celiac disease or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity,” says Adams. “When you go gluten free you lose out on many of the nutrients, unless you substitute whole grains with wheat, barley and rye, but most Americans are eating products that are not whole grains and not enriched.” According to Adams, gluten is a key component of a balanced diet and cutting it out can have an adverse effect on individuals who remove it from their diet when it is not necessary.
Attracting Wildlife Enjoy the beauty of wildlife in your yard by creating a habitat where animals can feed, get clean water, find cover and raise their young. Planting native oak, beech, hickory, crabapple, and pecan trees near your home can provide Continued on page 3...
“If individuals who chose to eat gluten free are not substituting whole grains, they are missing out on major B vitamins, they are also going to be short on folic acid which is critical for women of child bearing age,” Adams explained. “Additionally, unless they are substituting whole grains, they are also shorting themselves on fiber which is critical for digestive health.” So what is the best way to incorporate wheat products into a healthy diet? The guidelines for the American diet suggest Continued on page 3...
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