Today’s guest blogger is Susan Kimmel, a Board Certified Health Coach, who has joined LYLPT!

She works with individuals and groups to educate, guide, and support them in creating healthy happy lives in a way that is flexible and fun. Better health begins with the right information. As a Health Coach, Susan becomes your health partner in developing a healthy lifestyle that is right for YOU.

The Scoop on Whole Grains…

Did you know that whole grains include wheat, rice, oats, corn, barley, rye, sorghum, spelt, and yes, even popcorn? They contain the entire grain kernel – the bran, germ and endosperm, and are a good source of fiber. Refined grains have been milled, which removes the bran and germ, also removing the fiber, iron and many B vitamins. Most “whole grain” cereals however, contain little fiber, only 1 or 2 g per serving, so not the best nutritional choice.

Oatmeal is the exception and definitely worth eating. Along with the bran and germ layers where most of the nutrients are found, oats contain a soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Oatmeal also helps in stabilizing blood sugar, and has the highest protein content of any popular cereal, 8 ½ g in just 2/3 of a cup of whole oats.

Wheat is the worst offender for anyone with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Gluten is also a primary component of barley, rye, and oats. Removal of gluten from the diet can bring about remarkable relief from a wide variety of symptoms, including weight gain. It’s worth mentioning that the old food pyramid, which recommended six to eleven servings of grains per day, may have a connection to our current obesity and diabetes epidemics. Is it a coincidence that farmers who want to fatten up their cattle, feed them grains, not grass? It’s something to think about.

Rice is another grain with pros and cons – depending on which variety and how it’s prepared. In comparing white rice to brown rice, brown rice is by far, the more nutritious of the two. A cup of cooked brown rice contains about 4 g of fiber (4x’s the amount in white rice), which helps protect against some cancers, including colon, breast and prostate. Read more about the benefits of eating brown rice.

If you eat grains, choose wisely! Be sure to consume a variety of vegetables, fruits, fish, protein, and omega-3 fats to get a good balance of nutrient rich foods.

Need help knowing what foods to buy to create a good balance? Having trouble losing weight and not sure why? Good health doesn’t happen accidentally, you may need someone to guide and support you along the way!

Call and schedule a consultation with Susan today. Discover how having a Health Coach can help you add more years to your life, even better add more LIFE to your years!

Photo by EvolvingScenes (Pixabay)