Does eating whole grain foods really make a difference?

Question

I'm curious about something. Why is it that there seems to be more overweight people these days when there are so many people turning to whole grains and health food? For years people ate white potatoes, white bread, white rice, etc and were not overweight. Is it really the food or is it something else that's making this country have such a weight problem? Food manufacturers are making everything "healthy" using whole grains but yet people still battle with weight problems. Does it really matter if we eat whole grains or not? Or is it the lack of exercise or something else that's really the problem? All I know is that these "healthy" foods that are supposedly unprocessed which to me means less processing, are really expensive. Shouldn't less processing be less expensive? Is the food industry just trying to make money off of people trying to be healthy?

Answer 1

food nowadays has more sugar and more calories packed into every inch. the reason health food costs more is because they not only process it less, but they put less preservatives in it which makes it harder to ship, stock and sell. also think about how our culture has changed. now we eat supposedly better things, but back in the day of white everything kids had to ride their bikes to friends houses, a night of fun consisted of walking between everyone's houses to pick them up. kids played basketball after school instead of tony hawk pro skater. everyone was involved in an afterschool sport because it was soo freeking cool. now everyone can get their entertainment from doing things while sitting on their butts. sitting on butt = not burning calories.

Answer 2

whole grain foods are much better for you, they take longer to process, therefore they keep you "fuller" longer. Portion is everything, people eat too much, it's all about moderation and eating fruits and veggies with it. people eat big meals 3 times a day when they need to spread it out and eat 5-6 well portioned meals.

Answer 3

I am positive fat people are still eating the White bread, white rice, white potatoes. The thin people are eating whole wheat. I agree about the less processed foods should cost less. Also it they are not using pesticides- that's one less ingredient- shouldn't that cost less too?

Answer 4

whole grain is exactly what it says. the whole grain has been used to make the product. this includes the bran, endosperm, and germ. this whole "whole grain" thing is more a marketing strategy. people like to buy what they think is healthy for them. your run of the mill white bread has been fortified with all kinds of vitamins anyways

Answer 5

Whole grain foods keep you regular. And yes they are good for you. Why would you want to eat artificial flavors and colorings?

Answer 6

I think it only helps with the heart nothing like losing weight its just for your health and helping your heart.

Answer 7

Food is better quality but many eat too much and dont exercize enough

Answer 8

its mainley the lack of excercise thats the main problem

Answer 9

I don't know. Maybe you should study nutrition in college.