You hear it, read it, and see it almost everywhere: people with weight problems are common and increasing in number. This is often followed by a message that tells you to “eat healthy, exercise, and consume fewer calories than you burn”. The truth is, there are a lot of people who feel they truly consume fewer calories than they burn, but still struggle with their weight.
Do you continue to exercise most days of the week, eat according to what most experts tell you, yet still can’t lose those extra pounds? Or are you are satisfied with your weight, but dissatisfied with your soft midsection?
It is possible that wheat is prohibiting your body from getting rid of those extra pounds and flabby belly. More specifically, it is gluten that is the root of the problem.
Modern wheat is high in gluten proteins, much higher than your great-grandmother’s wheat. Hybridization and engineering have resulted in new gluten strains that have not been tested for their long term affect on human beings.
Since it is the most consumed among all of the gluten-containing grains, wheat has a greater impact on the lives and health of most people. This new form of wheat, with its new strains of gluten, has been blamed for a variety of health issues, most notably obesity.
Wheat Stimulates Insulin Production
Modern wheat contains highly digestible carbohydrates that increase blood sugar dramatically. When blood sugar increases, insulin production increases. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar by feeding it to the fat cells. The more your blood sugar is elevated, the more your fat cells are being fed.
Imagine a day of “healthy” eating: whole wheat cereal for breakfast, a sandwich on whole grain bread for lunch, and pasta salad for dinner. All three of these meals will increase your blood sugar and raise your insulin, creating a constant cycle of fat-cell feeding.
Wheat increases your appetite
All of this excess insulin causes massive swings in blood sugar levels, which lead to an increased appetite and frequent cravings. These cravings tend to be for the very foods that contribute to this cycle of appetite-fueling insulin surges.
The effects of wheat on the appetite can be obvious. Eat a piece of cake, and notice your urge to take another slice. The same is true for cookies, pretzels, and muffins. Wheat can have an effect similar to that of an addictive drug, luring you back for more.
Wheat is Often the Culprit in Unexplained Weight Gain
Unexplained weight gain can be the result of celiac disease or some other level of gluten intolerance. Those who are gluten intolerant are not necessarily suffering from painful symptoms.
Celiac disease or gluten intolerance may go undiagnosed for many years, even if there are other health problems. Issues that might not seem to be related to the intestinal tract, such as mood disorders, migraine headaches, or skin rashes, can often be the result of gluten intolerance.
Although weight problems can be the result of gluten intolerance, quick weight loss is common among many people who eliminate wheat from their diets, not only those with celiac disease.
The wheat that is contained in many foods today is not the wheat of previous generations. The gluten proteins found in modern wheat can cause a wide range of health problems, including issues with weight and obesity. For many people, the switch to a wheat-free diet has proven to be a quick and effective way to shed pounds.
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3 Reasons Why Wheat Could Be Keeping You Fat
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