The biggest danger, in my opinion, is not being informed enough to know right from wrong, good from bad. When someone doesn't have enough nutrition knowledge, it leads to confusion. And when people get confused they tend to give up. The food industry does focus groups and is well aware of this. That's why they hire doctors, nutritionists and dietitians to put out information that suits their commercial perspective. And the commercial perspective, by definition, is going to be conflicting and confusing because it's not about health.

So people say, "I don't know what to believe anymore, I give up, I'm just going to eat what I like." Ka-ching!!!...$$$$$$ It means more sales of processed foods like pizza, ice cream, baked goods made with flour, sodas, chips and dips, fatty hamburgers, hotdogs, french fries etc..

[quote=Shimpy;884004]
The old USDA food guide pyramid called for 8 to 11 servings of grain (bread, cereal, rice and pasta group). That took up the whole bottom section of the pyramid. That was clearly way too much.

The USDA food guide can be changed every 5 years. When it's time for change, they notify the public and anyone can recommend changes. The food industry has lobbyists that will then apply as much pressure as possible to get a favorable place or mention for their particular food, like grain.

It's mostly about promoting agriculture, not health.

Did people eat more grain because of USDA recommendations? I don't think so. Grain based products were very popular long before the USDA started making recommendations to eat more grain.

I won't go into my medical background or health background but I can only say watch The Perfect Human Diet on netflix or amazon prime.
It changed my life and saved my life. My blood work and weight and all has shocked my Dr's here and my family back home (all cardiologists)
When asked how I did it, I simply said. Eating right. They have no idea what I meant. I have since encouraged our three grown daughters who have been sick for years with imagined Celiac disease. GONE! and their husbands who felt they were getting ill. BETTER THEN EVER
When you watch The perfect human diet. Turn off the phone and take notes.
enjoy
NG

Netflix? Amazon?

I'm already convinced that a gluten-free diet is a must for those who suffer from Celiac disease or other similar condition. I'm just not sure that it's the best diet for everyone. I read about 8 chapters of "Wheat Belly" and started the book, "Grain Brain", but I'm not very impressed by the two authors who are recommending this diet for everyone. Part of the problem is: What foods do you eat to replace grain? These two authors recommend eating more animal protein and fat. Both of these items are limited in nutrition and contain no fiber.

Anyone can go online and find out how much protein and fats are needed for their weight and activity level. Consuming beyond what's needed represents a lost oportunity to get much needed nutrients and fiber from fresh non-starchy vegetables.

Where is the science to back up the idea that a gluton-free diet is good for everyone? Also, where's the science to back up the idea that the average person should replace gluton by eating more animal protein and fat?

One of the biggest arguments against wheat consumption for the average person is that it has undergone great genetic modification. But it's never mentioned that there are grains available that haven't been modified. Another big argument is that people haven't had time to adapt to eating grain because it has only been available since the agricultural revolution. But they never apply the same reasoning to dairy products, vegetable oils, eggs, vitamin supplements, and many other products that are factory farmed and processed.