How I Got Started

White to Wheat, baby! I eat 2 sandwiches for lunch every day, so bread is one of my staples. It's also the largest source of carbs in the average American diet. I was first introduced to whole wheat when I was dating Melanye. I hate to admit that my first healthy choice was for a girl, but I started eating wheat bread because I thought she would like me more. Pretty soon all of my sandwiches were made with whole wheat bread and I would always choose that over white if given the option (and it did make her like me more).

Here's the skinny: It's all about whole grains vs. refined grains. The refining process sucks the health out of grains. Whole grains contribute to a lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, and possibly cancer (1).

Tip: Look at the ingredient list and make sure it says "whole wheat/grain." The front label can trick you and say wheat, but if you see the word "enriched wheat flour" in the ingredient list, it's been refined. It's tricky, because the fact that it says "enriched" makes it sound healthy. The fact that it's enriched just means that they add some nutrients back into the flour, but not nearly as much as they took out in the first place. For a full list of whole and partial grain ingredients, go to http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/identifying-whole-grain-products

1. Willett, W. Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Living.