Hi Now66,
I've heard a bit about the Wheat Belly diet. It's hard to ignore - a lot of people are trying it. More and more people are giving up wheat. More and more are saying they have a gluten sensitivity. People say that they feel better if they don't eat wheat, and they lose weight too.
So is it real? Does wheat have all these terrible effects on people? People with coeliac disease can't eat wheat, and people with a true allergy to gluten or wheat germ agglutenin, can't eat wheat. But what about the rest of us?
Here is a link to a review of Davies' book "Wheat Belly". It's long, and somewhat technical in places, but not too hard to read.
http://mail.sdwheat.org/Portals/SDWheat ... rJones.pdfThe bottom line is; yes, eating a lot of wheat can contribute to obesity, diabetes etc. But the same is true of other carbohydrates. In fact, a great many of the supposed effects of wheat are, quite simply, the effects of a high calorie diet. When you cut out wheat, you may simply be reducing the calories you take in. Of course you lose weight and feel better. A great deal of what Mr Davies says about the terrible health effects of wheat, is unsubstantiated.
Anyway, here's my opinion: keep on with your oatmeal. I think the slimy fibre in oatmeal is perfect for soft stools. If you are worried about gluten, don't be (unless you have coeliac disease or a true gluten intolerance). There is little to no gluten in oatmeal. See this link:
http://www.thekitchn.com/the-oat-conund ... glu-137074If you are worried about carbs and calorific intake, then still have your oatmeal, but eat less of it, and add in some goodies. I have grated apple, raisins and nuts in mine. It's yummy. Personally, I think it's good to have a dose of carbs in the morning. It sets me up for the day.
Well, that's my opinion.