Is brown better than white?

When you make a choice in the supermarket between white or wholemeal products it would help to know why the choice you make is so crucial to your body's happiness.  White Tiger Loaf or Whole seed and grain? Brown Rice or White Basmati? White Flour or Wholewheat Spelt?  Wholemeal Shell Pasta or Pretty White Bows?

Boggling choices.

When you take a wholegrain you have the complete complex form of the grain, for example a wheat kernel.  The outer brown layer contains all the minerals and nutrients and the centre is less nutrient dense and more easily ground down. 

When you pick a wholegrain version of a product you are choosing an option with more fibre, more nutrients and a slower burning carbohydrate (complex carb).  The whole seed is ground down and this is released into the body as glucose much more slowly and steadily. 

If you pick a white refined product you are choosing a fast burning, nutrient depleted, fibre poor version (simple carb).  The brown nutritious coating has been ground away.  This will be converted into glucose quickly, used quickly and leave you wanting more.  This leads to over eating, nutrient depletion and stored body fat in the form of glycogen.

So, it makes sense to pick the lovely wholegrain version.

Grains such as millet, quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), spelt and amaranth make for a nutrient rich blast that will keep you going longer and fill you with strength, so keep your eye out for these.  If you are wheat intolerant these versions can be nice alternatives for you.

Just to complicate matters it is worth noting that not all wholegrain options are good quality, always check the label and choose something as natural as possible.  Some brown versions are coloured with molasses and certain labelling can be deceiving.  Make sure you are choosing 'Wholegrain' or 'Wholewheat' on the label, 'Wheat flour' is not the same. 


It is also worth bearing in mind that some natural simple carbohydrates are good for you, such as fruit.  It is the refined ones which have no positive effect on the body other than an empty high and often have hidden fats and sugars to add insult to injury.  I personally think that diets which tell you to limit fruit due to their high sugar content are avoiding the real problem, which is too much refined food and not enough fresh fruit and vegetables.  Please don't stop eating bananas because they are full of sugar and carbohydrates, I hate to hear that.  Moderation is key with plenty of fresh produce, a balance of good fats (http://therealfoodcoach.blogspot.com/2010/10/fatit-not-all-bad.html) and let's not forget...exercise.

Agh, so much to think about?  I know, but be reassured that there are so many ways to feel better and brighter!  Make the best choice you can, as often as you can.

Questions welcome.

Josie