Going Against the Grain: How Reducing and Avoiding Grains Can Revitalize Your Health

by Melissa Smith and Melissa Diane Smith

Book Overview

Diets high in grains can lead to a host of health problems such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, fatigue, and more. Going Against the Grain outlines the disadvantages and potential dangers of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0658017225
• ISBN13: 9780658017223
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 3.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Everyone should read this book!

I found this book in a roundabout way: My mother was diagnosed with severe celiac disease 40 years ago. She nearly died because the villi in her intestines were virtually gone and she was no longer absorbing nutrients. She weighed 80 lbs. at the time she was finally diagnosed, and unbelievably sick. Her major symptoms kicked in as an adult, and for 8 years doctors told her all her symptoms were "self-induced, in her head." Thankfully she met a single doctor who was familiar with the effects of celiac disease. She went on a gluten free diet and felt better within 2 weeks. Within 3 months she was back to her normal weight of 120. Fast forward to me very recently: I thought my whole life that I did not inherit celiac from my mom as I was never underweight, and at a later point I put on an extra 20 lbs. that nothing would take off. I had continual digestive problems. Migraines. High blood pressure which did not respond to medication, high cholesterolol, asthmatic type symptoms even though two separate bouts of intensive asthma testing said I did not have asthma. Lots of bronchial things going on, chronic cough. The list goes on....nothing hugely debilitating, but the quality of my life was definitely affected and I went through periods of time thinking there was NOTHING I could eat that wouldn't upset me. All this time I was eating rather a lot of grain products....and I was a carb addict who loved donuts, cake, cookies etc. I got plenty of grain every single day. Dairy products also seemed to bother me. After really binging on a lot of wheat based things over two days, I had a very frightening allergic reaction one evening, so I was forced to examine this possibility and I began to research. My searching led to this book, as well as another very good one called "Dangerous Grains." This book (and the other one) really turned on the light for me. So I tested the idea by cutting out gluten products entirely. Within a day I felt better. Within 3 days I felt like a different person and nothing was upsetting me. My asthma symptoms vanished and the chronic cough disappeared. I actually had some sort of withdrawal headaches for several days, but those are now gone. After a longer period of time, I'll get things tested to see if there is improvement in those areas as well (cholesterol, etc.). But in terms of digestion, I certainly have my answer: Life is better, I feel GREAT without gluten in my diet. I don't understand the several vehemently negative reviews....all I can say is that those reviewers obviously haven't had the problems to deal with and unfortunately, a lot of people are incredibly resistant to the idea of eliminating grains from their diet. The historical overview of grain consumption in human history, and the various studies which support the bad effects it obviously has on humans when they incorporate it into their diets are all pretty compelling. It's unfortunate that grain is so prevalent in so many of our

A Vital Signpost, even Billboard.

Though every diet "simplification by food-type elimination" is necessarily a distortion of nutritional reality, which is complex, Smith's simplification by grain elimination is VERY helpful for many, if not most, typical eaters. Since most grains must be cooked to be chewable/digestible, it's obvious that grain eating is not natural in humans' evolutionary past. (Chew on raw wheat kernels to appreciate this fact.) In addition, most grain consumption, among Americans at least, is unfortunate in that wheat is the most-consumed, the most problematical regarding allergenicity, and the most commonly debased by bleaching and removal of higher-nutrient portions such as the germ and bran, etc. Refined grains, especially the bleached variety such as typical bakers' white flour, are simply an abomination and as much a health scourge as hydrogenated fats which, tragically, are often combined with refined-grain products in packaged crackers and chips of many varieties.In the nutritional counseling I've done for four decades (I'm 72, very fit w/no gray hair, etc.), I've always recommended NO refined flour products, and greatly prefer the grains quinoa, amaranth and spelt over the more commonly available grains. In my experience, Smith's recommendations are very much on track, including her comments on the advantages of increasing pH toward the alkalinity side (away from the acidic side) by reducing grains and eating more dark-green, leafy vegetables. (Spelt and millet, by the way, are less acidic and therefore more conducive to better human biological terrain in the body than are wheat, rye or oats.)There is no single key to the ideal diet, but Smith points most readers in a direction that is highly probable to improve their eating pattern, their energy and their emotional well-being.

A "must read" for the health conscious (and health starved)

This is an eye-opening, easy read that will change the way you think about eating from the first page on. It doesn't scare or overload on science, but rather presents the facts on grains and tells a compelling story about why they're not as good for us as we have been led to believe.As a person with celiac disease, I have been avoiding gluten-containing grains for some time. It was not until I read this book that I understood why monitoring my intake of other grains (and loading up instead on more veggies) could further benefit my health. Having instituted some of the changes suggested in this book, I now feel I have better blood sugar control and digestion.I shared this book with many friends and family that have varied health issues and interests. They all found it to be very enlightening - and a true pleasure to read. Every person took at least one piece of new information away from the book that has since influenced their dietary choices (whether it be to eat fruit with cheese to balance the acidity; to choose alternate snacks to rice cakes which are high glycemic; or to choose sweet potatos over white ones for better nutrition and less starch) . The suggested meal plans and recipes are also a great source of inspiration for anyone currently on, or embarking on on grain-free or low grain diet.

Finally, the real story is revealed!

After reading this book, I thought to myself, finally, someone has stepped up to the plate and written about the causes of most of the nutrition-related health problems and chronic diseases in this country---grains. Chronic diseases are responsible for 7 of every 10 deaths in the United States and most are due to poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. Most health professionals and even government recommendations are to increase carbohydrate consumption. As this message is being delivered, the incidence of chronic disease is also increasing. Is this merely a coincidence?The book is very-well written and gives great insight into the world of carbohydrates and their detrimental effects on the body. It's not a book about eating a low carbohydrate diet to lose weight, it's about moderating or avoiding foods that wreak havoc on the body and the immune system (and you will lose weight, no doubt). I want to thank Melissa Diane Smith for writing this book-- it might get people to start reconsidering their diets in the quest for optimal health.

Revolutionary Book & Indispensable Resourc

Going Against the Grain is the most comprehensive resource on the hazards of consuming grains. It is thoughtfully written and easy to read yet incredibly thorough. The detailed information that helps deepen understanding is there, as well as the broader perspective and contextual information. I don't think a book on this subject could be better written. Melissa Diane Smith explains the hazards of a grain-based diet referencing scientific studies and interpreting them in an easy to read fashion. Then after a full discussion of different types of grains and their physiological effects she goes on to providemenus, recipes and shopping suggestions referencing products made with acceptable ingredients. She even included manufacturer contact information so people can go to the source with questions.Certainly Going Against the Grain will become an indispensable resource for people fighting celiac disease, but it should also be read by any and all people interested in true nutrition. It's common knowledge that the food pyramid is obsolete... get caught up with the times and read Going Against the Grain.