Myth: “Eating processed foods are ok as long as they have been enriched with vitamins and minerals.”
Eating foods in as close to their natural state as possible is definitely the best way to keep your heart and your whole body healthy.
Do you know that in the process of making white flour, practically all the vitamins and minerals (not to mention all the bran and germ!) are stripped from the wheat kernel. Sure, the flour is then enriched, but only some of the vitamins and minerals are added back. So, you’re really being robbed of optimal nutrition when you consume products made with such flour!
Processing also removes much of the fibre in whole foods (such as the bran covering the wheat kernel). What’s fibre good for? According to Brenda Davis, RD, fibre protects us against heart disease, cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and obesity.
So, try those whole grain pastas and the brown rice on your grocery shelf. Feeling adventurous? Try kasha, quinoa, millet or bulgur! They’re not only totally nutritious, but also utterly delicious!
– Bev Miller, RD
Whole grain – nutrition break down and list of grains (Wikipedia)
Tips on buying and storing whole foods – Whole foods need to be purchased and eaten fresh for the best flavour and nutrition.
Photo: Mexican Millet Cake by Mike Crooker. Try this recipe: Savory Millet Cakes. Note: The parmesan cheese in the recipe can be omitted or replaced with nutritional yeast.