4 ms·

Wheat does not require "fortification with vitamins and minerals just to not kill the consumer." Wheat is a viable staple, up until recently a luxury staple, t

Wheat does not require "fortification with vitamins and minerals just to not kill the consumer." Wheat is a viable staple, up until recently a luxury staple, that forms the basis for a healthy diet when eaten alongside a modest amount of vegetables. For those with gluten intolerances, and also for those without, rice accomplishes the same.

browningstreet 5y ago
Given the percentage of wheat that makes up the diets of certain demographics in the US, and the lack of vegetables that go along with it, micronutrient deficient diets are predominant and fortification has been seen as a public health necessity. For those who eat healthy, calorie appropriate, nutrient dense diets... fortification isn't necessary, but that doesn't seem to be the public health version of the world many people operate in.
- i_am_proteus 5y ago
  This does not mean that wheat "should not be eaten."
  - reedjosh 5y ago
    Wheat should be seen as in the same category as sugar and alcohol--not a part of a healthy diet. It does not provide a needed nutrient. Carbohydrates in this form are terrible for blood sugar and don't provide any nutrients on their own.
    - i_am_proteus 5y ago
      You appear to be conflating "wheat" with "carbohydrates." Wheat contains many necessary nutrients, including, importantly, protein. This article about staple crops provides additional details: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staple_food https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staple_food
      - reedjosh 5y ago
        In its truly whole form it provides: Total Fat2.24g3% Saturated Fat0.386g2% Trans Fat- Polyunsaturated Fat0.935g Monounsaturated Fat0.278g Cholesterol0mg0% Sodium6mg0% Total Carbohydrate87.08g32% Dietary Fiber14.6g52% Sugars0.49g Protein16.44g Calcium41mg3% Iron4.66mg26% Potassium486mg10% Which isn't actually that bad, but when you consider the glycemic index is near sugar, and if you ate a diet in the proportions of carbs/fat/protein that this food has, you would have the recommended us low fat diet that has only increased obesity over the last fifty years. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/flour-whole-wheat https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/flour-w... https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/glycemic-index-and-glycemic-load-for-100-foods https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/glyce... On top of this most people consume wheat as bread--a highly refined version that is likely to have less fiber, protein, fat, and micronutrients. The protein in wheat is not complete either. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1671292708600668 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S16712... Now consider an egg: Calories 74 % Daily Values* Total Fat4.97g6% Saturated Fat1.55g8% Trans Fat- Polyunsaturated Fat0.682g Monounsaturated Fat1.905g Cholesterol212mg71% Sodium70mg3% Total Carbohydrate0.38g0% Dietary Fiber0g0% Sugars0.38g Protein6.29g Calcium26mg2% Iron0.92mg5% Potassium67mg1% Vitamin A70mcg8% All that in 74 calories, and a complete protein.
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browningstreet 5y ago

Given the percentage of wheat that makes up the diets of certain demographics in the US, and the lack of vegetables that go along with it, micronutrient deficient diets are predominant and fortification has been seen as a public health necessity. For those who eat healthy, calorie appropriate, nutrient dense diets... fortification isn't necessary, but that doesn't seem to be the public health version of the world many people operate in.

i_am_proteus 5y ago
This does not mean that wheat "should not be eaten."
- reedjosh 5y ago
  Wheat should be seen as in the same category as sugar and alcohol--not a part of a healthy diet. It does not provide a needed nutrient. Carbohydrates in this form are terrible for blood sugar and don't provide any nutrients on their own.
  - i_am_proteus 5y ago
    You appear to be conflating "wheat" with "carbohydrates." Wheat contains many necessary nutrients, including, importantly, protein. This article about staple crops provides additional details: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staple_food https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staple_food
    - reedjosh 5y ago
      In its truly whole form it provides: Total Fat2.24g3% Saturated Fat0.386g2% Trans Fat- Polyunsaturated Fat0.935g Monounsaturated Fat0.278g Cholesterol0mg0% Sodium6mg0% Total Carbohydrate87.08g32% Dietary Fiber14.6g52% Sugars0.49g Protein16.44g Calcium41mg3% Iron4.66mg26% Potassium486mg10% Which isn't actually that bad, but when you consider the glycemic index is near sugar, and if you ate a diet in the proportions of carbs/fat/protein that this food has, you would have the recommended us low fat diet that has only increased obesity over the last fifty years. https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/flour-whole-wheat https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/flour-w... https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/glycemic-index-and-glycemic-load-for-100-foods https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/glyce... On top of this most people consume wheat as bread--a highly refined version that is likely to have less fiber, protein, fat, and micronutrients. The protein in wheat is not complete either. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1671292708600668 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S16712... Now consider an egg: Calories 74 % Daily Values* Total Fat4.97g6% Saturated Fat1.55g8% Trans Fat- Polyunsaturated Fat0.682g Monounsaturated Fat1.905g Cholesterol212mg71% Sodium70mg3% Total Carbohydrate0.38g0% Dietary Fiber0g0% Sugars0.38g Protein6.29g Calcium26mg2% Iron0.92mg5% Potassium67mg1% Vitamin A70mcg8% All that in 74 calories, and a complete protein.

deleted 5y ago

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