Is Going Grain Free Better for Your Health?

Foods made from rice, wheat, cornmeal, oats, barley or any type of cereal grain is considered a grain product. Some examples of food containing grain are bread, popcorn, rice, tortillas, breakfast cereals and pasta.

Grains are a staple of most traditional diets, but many people have decided to cut out this food group. Many eliminate grains due to an intolerance and some choose to try it out to lose weight. But is going grain free really better for your health? It’s important to know there can be drawbacks for some and it’s not always the best option for everybody.

What Can You Eat on a Grain Free Diet?

If you follow a grain free diet, you need to eliminate all grains from your meal plan. This includes no more pastries, cookies, bread, pasta, rice, oatmeal, muesli, rice cakes or breakfast cereals. Foods that are similar to the traditional grain such as Quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth are considered ok to eat in small quantities.

The rest of your diet can be made up of what you choose. But most tend to stick to healthy, whole foods and minimise the processed variety. Fill up with vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, good fats and dairy. If you feel hungry without grains on your plate, add starchier carbs like potatoes, legumes, squash and corn.

Top Benefits of a Grain Free Diet?

There are many great benefits from following a grain free diet. Here are some of the most common;

• May aid in weight loss. Foods such as white bread, pastries, donuts, pizza and cookies are nutrient poor and calorie high. By eliminating these foods from your diet you will reduce calorie intake and lose weight
• Can increase energy. Chronic fatigue is often associated with gluten intolerance. Ditching the grains may help to increase energy levels
• Improve gut microbiome. Some research has shown that a grain free diet is beneficial for the gut. A healthy gut lowers your risk of many other health problems
• Could help lower inflammation. Chronic inflammation in the body can lead to many diseases. Cutting out grains may lead to the increased intake of fruits and vegetables, which helps to lower inflammation
• May support mental health conditions. Recent research has shown that some mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, autism and epilepsy may benefit from the elimination of grains

Top Up with Quality Health Supplements

While there are many benefits to going grain-free, you may be missing out on certain vitamins and minerals by eliminating this food group. Grains contain nutrients like B vitamins (riboflavin, thiamin, folate and niacin), fibre and minerals such as magnesium, iron and selenium.

By eating a varied amount of fruit, vegetables, protein, nuts and seeds you should get enough nutrients to support good health. But if you think you are lacking, consider a quality health supplement to fill in the gaps. Always check with your doctor before starting a new supplement regime.