Grain consumption is a sensitive subject for many individuals, which is why additional information is being provided. Most people have eaten bread, pasta, and cereals their entire lives and giving up this food can be psychologically traumatic for some, which illustrates the strong and often inappropriate emotional connection that we have with food. A goal should be to view eating as a mechanism to fuel the precious vehicle (your body) that conveys you throughout life.
Remember, you can only trade in your motor vehicle, not your body vehicle. With this mindset, we are less likely to be opposed to making any changes that would benefit our body vehicle.
Humans are designed to eat fruits, vegetables, fish, fowl, meat, roots, tubers, and nuts. Consider also that there are no chronic diseases caused by eating these foods. No matter what disease you may suffer from, none of these foods must be eliminated from the diet. The same cannot be said for grains in particular. In a nutshell, grains contain several problematic substances including gluten, lectin, and phytates, and grains also promote inflammation by promoting body acidity, and disrupting proper blood sugar regulation.
Grains contain a substance called phytic acid, which is known to reduce the absorption of calcium, magnesium and zinc from grains. Grains also promote an acidic body pH, which is known to be inflammatory. Research has now demonstrated that a diet-induced acidic state helps to promote the loss of bone and muscle that occurs as we get older. Finally, while grains are a low-fat food, they contain an elevated ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are converted into chemicals the cause inflammation, chronic disease, and pain.
With the above in mind, you may be wondering why we have been told that grains are so good for us? First, whole grains do contain nutrients and fiber, both of which are healthy and anti-inflammatory. However, we get more nutrients and fiber from fruits and vegetables. Second, grains are inexpensive and can be stored easily, so they are profitable for food manufacturers. We are never told that we can get all the nutrients and fiber we require by eating fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and that there is no need to consume grains. It is important to understand that the health conditions discussed above have only been associated with the consumption of grains and legumes (beans) and have never ever been associated with the consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy animal products. Therefore, try to avoid grains, flours, bread, pasta, etc., and try to replace these foods with fruits and vegetables. Sprouted grains are somehow seen as a loophole to refined and whole grains, but this seems unlikely.