Whole Wheat & Grain Evangelization

Tried and tested. If you want to lose excess pounds or maintain a healthy body weight, go wholewheat.

My husband and I made the big switch about a couple of months ago: we went from total devotees of white rice, bread, and pasta to full-fledged wholewheat/whole grain evangelists. We have since lost a combined total of 32 pounds, him losing 2 pounds more than I (but who's counting? :D). The important thing is that my "12 to 10" goal (dropping 2 dress sizes) became a reality; I'm even a size 8 now in some of my favorite fashion brands. I'm actually finally enjoying the normal weight for my height!

The reasons for going whole grain and whole wheat are simple:

• Whole wheat holds the vitamin B1, B2, B3, E, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iron, and fiber that are lost in the process of "60% extraction" -- the method used in producing bleach white flour.
• The dietary fiber in whole wheat is key-- it is a fact that individuals who consume the most dietary fiber from whole grains are 49% less likely to gain weight compared to those eating foods made from refined grains.
• ALL studies on clinical nutrition underscore the importance of choosing whole rather than refined wheat to maintain a healthy body weight.
• We lost the surplus weight with little physical effort to none at all! For real.

So next time you're in the grocery, instead of buying white bread, pasta or regular flour, opt for the whole wheat brands. Instead of going for your usual white rice, try out an organic whole grain RED or BROWN rice variation.

They may be slightly more costly, but you can't put a price on the long term health benefits that come with them.

Equally as important as going whole grain or whole wheat are the following tips that illuminate the road to truly good health:

• Cut down on your beef and pork consumption. If you can take them out of your diet completely, you'll feel AND SMELL better in no time!
• Juices, sodas, coffees are empty calorie drinks. "Empty calories" mean you're better off not having any. Choose fresh fruit drinks/smoothies instead.
• Drink purified water, not distilled (<--high acidity. Cancer cells thrive on the acidic!)
• Milk for cereals? Go non-fat or try Soy Milk as an alternative
• Eat a lot of FISH, VEGETABLES, and FRUIT. This doesn't need much explaining. Just know that they're good for you so eat them already. Besides, they're CHEAPER than pork and beef, ya?
• I haven't really "processed" this last bit but it's a known fact that CHEESE has very high sodium content so, we should know what to do with that information by now. :D
• Must-read!!!! Click on this

Surf the net. There are a million other ways to eat and get healthy... now get!