Refined grains *just fine* ...

[Eddy Edson]

says a study funded by the "Wheat Foods Council" and the "Grain Foods Foundation".

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/tgn-nse040819.php

I think people sometimes don't realise how big & how powerful the grain, meat, dairy and associated industries are. Way more so than "big pharma" ...

This is the "Grain Foods Foundation": https://grainfoodsfoundation.org/about-us/

Included in that list are subsidiaries I recognise of the two US industry whales, ADM and Cargill, representing $180+ billion annual revenue between them. No surprise if the list also includes subs of the other big global 3: Bunge, Louis Dreyfus and Glencore. But also a bunch of med-size, more local outfits which constitute a big part of the real political power of the industry: local jobs, income and taxes.

 

[Madeline]

They’re behind the whole low fat/high carb fill yourself up with bread and pasta shenanigans that’s lead to this explosion

 

[Eddy Edson]

They’re behind the whole low fat/high carb fill yourself up with bread and pasta shenanigans that’s lead to this explosion

This is where I get to on the subject from my various readings:

- Obvious shill papers like this one funded by industry groups usually don't make it into the recommendations from expert groups. Their purpose is rather to muddy the waters and provide grist for the Facebook etc c**p mill; in particular, to give people sciencey-sounding justifications for not changing the way they eat.

- But industry groups do try to use political influence to change recommendations at the national level. Prime recent example has been partially successful efforts by the US meat & dairy industry to prevent recs to reduce animal sat fats from the expert committee making it into the periodic update to the presidential nutrition statement. Less successful effort to interfere in similar ways with the updated Canadian national guidelines.

- No expert recommendations I've seen says low fat/high carb. They all say low animal-derived saturated fat/high whole grains, for which the evidence is overwhelming and not tainted by industry pressure.

- The main reason for the "obesity epidemic" is simply people eating a lot more than they used to. But the expert recommendations and policy have worked pretty well in improving the quality of what people eat, as borne out by the historical data including the approx two-thirds reduction in CV mortality in the developed world over the last 30 years or so.

 

[nonethewiser]

All industries have a vested interested to promote the products they produce, food manufacturers are no different.

Rather stick with whole grains personally, good source of fibre to maintain bowel and heart health.

 

[Robin]

I particularly noticed this quote.

Refined grain foods that have been enriched and/or fortified help to alleviate shortfalls including B-vitamins, folic acid, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, and the mineral iron. For example, enriched grains are the largest contributor of folic acid in the American diet. This is key to preventing neural tube birth defects.

If you can only claim your product is healthy because it has had vitamins and minerals artificially added, I’d say you were on a sticky wicket.

 

[Madeline]

I was thinking of the dietary advice to fill up on pasta, potatoes, wholemeal bread. Slimming World advice in other words. Nice big plate of steamed veggies with a sprinkle of parmesan to taste would be healthier, but I’m guessing the average cabbage grower doesn’t have the same clout.