The Skinny on Grains

Just recently released, Health Canada's new and some would say not improved Food Guide for Healthy Eating is already inspiring controversy. The reason is the recommendation that half the daily grain intake should be in whole grains, a statement which some say implies that the other half should be in enriched refined white flour.

Why would Health Canada recommend enriched white flour? They would have us believe that the benefits of the added nutrients folic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and iron outweigh the consequences. Of the added nutrients, folic acid is the only one that makes enriched white flour crucial to a healthy diet. This is because studies have shown that folic acid is extremely effective in preventing some birth defects, especially neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

What's the danger of eating enriched white flour? Blood sugar and insulin levels might rise and fall too quickly, resulting in hunger and possibly also type 2 diabetes. In contrast, whole grains can't be digested quickly, and therefore blood sugar and insulin levels remain fairly stable, which helps stabilize appetites. People with stable appetites tend to binge less and therefore struggle less often with weight issues.