Choose the simple whole grain swap backed by global research!

In Australia, Nordic nations are best known for their chilly climate, flat-pack furniture, and addictive TV crime shows, but why not their whole grain habits? This Whole Grain Week, we’re encouraging you to eat like the Danish – who enjoy more than three times the amount of whole grain than most Aussies!

Our second Whole Grain Week (17-23 June) is all about spreading the word on how important whole grain foods are in our diet, inspiring Australians to make simple swaps for big health benefits and switch up their whole grain variety. And this year we're encouraging you to take the Whole Grain Challenge.

Whole grain foods like brown rice, pasta, oats, and wholemeal bread are packed with nutrition, and there’s good evidence that people who eat them regularly are less likely to develop heart disease, type 2 diabetes, even bowel cancer.

But unfortunately few Australians eat enough; 59% of us choose refined grains, eating an average of just 21g whole grain per day – less than half the recommended 48g Daily Target Intake.

The ‘New Nordic Diet,’ is one of the latest diets where whole grain foods feature heavily - think rye bread, oats, and barley, so it will come as no surprise that Danes devour an average of 63 grams of whole grain each day – trebling the Aussie effort!

Most of us know whole grain foods are full of fibre, but Accredited Practising Dietitians Alex Parker and Anna Debenham from The Biting Truth say there’s actually much more to it. “Whole grains are little nutrition powerhouses, delivering more than 26 nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, fibre, even antioxidants.”

So why don’t we eat more whole grain? For many Australians, it comes down to the extra time it may take to cook whole grains, as well as simply being in the habit of choosing refined grains like white bread, rice, and pasta. So how can you enjoy the health benefits of eating more, without compromising on taste or time? Themis Chryssidis and Callum Hann, from Sprout Cooking School say a bit of prior planning is key:

“Many whole grain varieties actually only take an average of just 4 minutes longer to cook than white varieties. But you can cut cooking time further by soaking grains like freekeh or brown rice overnight, or for a few hours in advance. You could also cook a big batch of whole grains on a free afternoon and freeze individual portions in snap-lock bags or containers – ready to throw in your lunch bag or defrost for dinner!” says Themis, an Accredited Practising Dietitian.

The duo also suggest checking out the expanding grains section in the supermarket, which is bursting with convenient microwaveable products and interesting new varieties – think quinoa/rice mixes, wild rice and every colour rice you can imagine - red, black, purple, barley, teff, amaranth, buckwheat and many more.

So why not try a few simple swaps this Whole Grain Week to boost your health, without compromising on taste or time. Check out our handy ready reckoner to see how you can reach your 48g every day!

The Biting Truth’s top three whole grain nutrition benefits!

1. Eating whole grains protects our health in the long-term, against things like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer. 

2. Choosing whole grain foods may help with weight maintenance: people who eat whole grains regularly are likely to have a healthy weight and waist circumference.

3. They’re great for our gut: the fibre in whole grains ‘feeds’ our good gut bacteria, which may improve our health in other ways – controlling our appetite, reducing inflammation, and boosting immunity. 

Try these delicious recipes to help you hit your whole grain target!

- These delicious Baked Oats are a breakfast the whole family will love.
- Enjoy a classic for lunch with an Egg & Lettuce Sandwich on wholemeal bread.
- Make a batch of these Corn & Zucchini Muffins to tide you over for morning or afternoon tea!
- For dinner, this Freekeh, Lentil & Bean Salad makes a great stand-alone or side dish with fish.

For more information on Whole Grain Week or to find out how you can help spread the whole grain message, visit our website here.

Australia Pacific Conference on Clinical Nutrition Wrap-Up

In late November last year the team from GLNC headed to Adelaide for the 10^th Asia Pacific Conference on Clinical Nutrition (APCCN). With the theme ‘Nutrition Solutions for a Changing World,’ APCCN brought together nutrition scientists from across the globe to share the latest in nutrition research. Read on for a wrap-up of the key themes from APCCN:

• The future of food: how can we contribute to a more sustainable food system?

Author and science communicator Julian Cribb opened the first Plenary Session with a sobering reminder of the risks involved with the modern day food system. Our population is growing at record rates, yet over-consumption and current practices are straining both our health, and the environment. Cribb noted over the next few decades, there is a need to grow more food to sustain the growing population, but produced from less land, using less water. But it’s not all bad news: Cribb’s presentation shared the endless opportunities and areas for innovation in sustainable food systems – a shift to a more plant-based diet, cultured meat and the use of food printers, and ‘Agritecture,’ the art of growing more food in urban environments, which can be observed in major cities with sustainably built high-rises covered in greenery.

• The microbiome: a trend that’s here to stay, but there’s so much more to learn!

Gut health made waves in 2017 for its links with health and possible disease prevention, and a number of research presentations at APCCN focused on how the microbiome can be altered through eating probiotic or prebiotic foods. Associate Professor Melinda Coughlan from Monash University shared interesting research around the potential for resistant starch to protect against Chronic Kidney Disease in mice, by suppressing or reversing inflammation from dietary AGEs, and decreasing changes in gut bacteria. But despite the hype, there was a consensus that nutrition science is still in the early stages of understanding how diet can affect gut health, so stay tuned!

• Food innovations and new product development: high-amylose wheat

Dr Anthony Bird from CSIRO presented research on a newly developed strain of wheat which is high in amylose and looks set to become a useful functional food ingredient. With ten times the amount of resistant starch than ordinary wheat, the newly developed high-amylose wheat can be milled into flour and used in food products as normal. This means people could benefit from the digestive and chronic disease protection resistant starch offers, without drastically changing or increasing the foods they eat.

• Whole grain: where we're falling short

GLNC General Manager Dr Sara Grafenauer also presented research findings from GLNC, alongside the University of Wollongong: ‘The whole grain gap: comparing intakes to recommendations.’ The study found that from a nationally representative sample of Australians, only 30% met the 48g Daily Target Intake of whole grains, so are missing out on the known health benefits. Find out more about the whole grain DTI here.

12 Ways to Enjoy Grains & Legumes this Festive Season!

Along with the festive season comes the rush to fit in last minute jobs for the year, plus never-ending social catch ups. Not to mention the main event come Christmas Day!

To keep you feeling full of energy and armed with some delicious foodie ideas for the holidays, we’ve put together our list of 12 ways with grains & legumes this festive season.

1. Summer smoothies for breakfast: The jury is out over whether it really is the ‘most important meal,’ but there’s no doubt a healthy breakfast can set you up for a day of healthier eating. For warmer mornings, smoothies make the perfect quick and easy option. Give this Blueberry & Cashew Smoothie a try – by throwing one Weet-Bix in the blender you can get a third of your whole grain Daily Target Intake!

2. Easy lunches: Busy days mean little time to stop and put together a healthy lunch, so having a nutritious option pre-made and ready to go is the best way to nourish your body with little effort. Making a double-serve of dinner for leftovers is a smart move, as is meal-prepping when you have a bit of spare time. Made with eggs, wholemeal pasta, and veggies, this Pasta &Vegetable Frittata is packed with protein and fibre to keep you going through the afternoon. Perfect for lunchboxes too!

3. Get your bake on: Christmas time is synonymous with baking, so once you’ve whipped up the usual festive treats, try something a little different, like these Super Lentil Bites. Made with a mix of lentils and nuts, these little treats are packed with healthy fats and fibre and taste great. Better yet, they’ll be ready to eat in just 10 minutes!

4. Pimp your sandwich: So much more than a school lunchbox staple! The humble sandwich is the ideal way to enjoy leftovers from big barbecues or lunches. Think ham off the bone or roast turkey slices with leftover salads, sandwiched between your favourite whole grain bread. Or try this delicious classic – egg lettuce!

5. Different desserts: You’ve heard of hummus, but how about dessert hummus? Although it might sound crazy, this sweet tasting dip is trending, and thanks to social media, finding recipe inspiration is only a few clicks away. All you need is a base of drained, rinsed chickpeas and a few other ingredients blended in the food processor. With options like chocolate chip peanut butter, snickerdoodle, chocolate, and apple pie, you’ll almost forget you’re still getting a serve of legumes in! Try cutting up a selection of fruit for dipping.

6. Summer BBQs: Whether you’re hosting, or heading to a BBQ as a guest, coming up with a crowd-pleasing side-dish can be tricky. Give this Fresh Lentil, Mango & Quinoa Salad a try and watch it disappear!

7. Meat-free meals: Whether you’re mixing up the weekly menu with more plant-based meals, or are expecting vegetarian guests for lunch, there are endless options for meat-free recipes. Try experimenting with tofu, nuts and seeds, legumes like lentils or chickpeas, and different cheeses like haloumi and feta. A winner for summer BBQs are these Stuffed Capsicums, made with chickpeas, brown rice, pine nuts, and goats cheese or feta.

8. Make friends with salad: If  ever there’s a time to experiment with salads, it’s summer, when the temperature rises and your tastebuds crave fresh, crunchy meals. To make a really satisfying salad, there are a few elements to consider. First, start with a grainy base, like ½ cup cooked rice, quinoa, or freekeh. Next, add a mix of salad leaves and any other veggies you have on hand, as well as a protein source, like boiled eggs, nuts, your favourite cheese, tinned tuna, leftover roast chicken, or some legumes like cannellini or black beans. Finally, drizzle on a tasty dressing (a vinaigrette of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and mustard is a fail-safe), and you’re done! Or try out this fibre rich salad with freekah, lentils and feta!

9. Foodie gift ideas: There’s nothing nicer than giving, or receiving handmade gifts. Whip up a big batch of festive spice granola or muesli and divide into jars finished off with a red ribbon – perfect for small last minute gifts. Use our base granola recipe and get creative with your flavours by trying a mix of different spices and nuts to mix it up!

10. School holiday snacks: Along with the Christmas holidays comes the long summer break for school kids. For days at home, keep a supply of cut-up fruit and veggies in the fridge, ready to pull out and serve with hummus or tzatziki dip when hunger calls. When you’re out on the go, use a cooler bag stocked with whole grain crackers and cheese, or snap-lock bags of air-popped popcorn. They’re always popular, plus around three crackers and ½ cup of popcorn offers one third of their Daily Target Intake for whole grains! Why not try this bright pink beetroot hummus for a twist on traditional varieties the kids will love.

11. Road trip snacks: For many of us, summer holidays mean long road trips – the perfect excuse for preparing a selection of delicious car snacks! And as the weather warms up, food safety is an important consideration, so keep your snacks to shelf-stable options that won’t spoil out of the fridge. Think snack or muesli bars, or make your own trail mix using different nuts, seeds and dried fruit combos! If you’re feeling adventurous why not try roasting your own chickpeas…

12. Healthy nibbles: No party platter is complete without at least one dip for veggie sticks and crackers, and the choice most of us agree on is hummus. But rather than grabbing some from the shops, impress your friends with a homemade version. You’ll be surprised at just how simple it is –this Classic Hummus has just 6 ingredients, and all you’ll need to whip it up is 10 minutes and a food processor!

However you incorporate grains and legumes into your diet this festive season, make sure you have fun with your food and enjoy a happy holiday!

  

Grains & legumes: what's trending in 2018?

As another year draws to a close, we’ve been looking at key trends for 2018 – so what’s influencing innovation and driving consumer behaviour for the year to come?

“A key trend is a genuine growth opportunity. It’s a set of changes in consumer beliefs and behaviours, leading to a change in a market. It’s something on which a company can base its strategy to increase sales of existing products or create new products, to boost market share and profitability.”

In the first of a series of trends reports, we’ve taken a look at two of 2018’s top trends (with more to come) and the opportunities they present for industry innovation!

Number 1: Plant Based

Plant based is one of the biggest trends right now and this wide reaching category is having an effect on nearly every other foodie trend out there. In 2017, plant based was the second biggest trend, having a considerable impact on innovation and product development. And during 2018, the lifestyle shift that’s driving plant based is the rise of the inclusive Flexitarian diet, not so much an increase in the number of people adopting a vegan diet as many people think. A Flexitarian is defined as.... ‘a person who has a primarily vegetarian diet but occasionally eats meat and/or fish.’ 

Emerging research is also helping to drive the prevalence of plant based eating with more and more evidence pointing to the many health benefits of eating mostly plant based, including up to a 25% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and a lower frequency of obesity (1). Protein has a part to play here too with many consumers increasingly looking for alternatives to meat. In 2017, a massive 43% of Australians are strongly influenced by protein claims on pack (2).

As a result, consumer demand, changing eating patterns and technological advances are pushing innovation. Legumes are now appearing in all sorts of traditional foods, including breakfast cereals, snack bars and pasta as well as new development with smoothies, savoury snacks and bliss balls. Whole grains feature here too, due to their many health benefits and links with the benefits of increased fibre consumption, cereal fibre in particular. Both categories are driving innovation here.

So what's new within this space?

Plant based meat alternatives - Gold & Green Foods latest product combines oats and beans to create their plant based meat alternative – Pulled Oats...

A focus on plant protein - The Lupin Company’s Lupin Flakes are highly versatile and can be used in baking, added to breakfast cereals or porridge or used in plant based patties to add plant protein, texture and additional nutrients...

Reformulation to up the veggie/legume content of many traditionally grain based foods - the bread market too is seeing diversification with Finnish bakery Fazer adding vegetable and legume purees to breads to create new and innovative offerings...

Plant based is an exciting trend that's set to drive strategy within food for at least the next 5 years.

Number 2: Snackification

The next big trend for 2018, continuing on from 2017 and previous years, is the rise of the snack market. The younger generation is driving most of the growth within this trend, with millennials primarily looking to snack to tide them over between meals and increasingly replacing traditional sit down meals with a snack or two. And with 56% of us eating at least one snack every day (3), consumer demand is higher than it's ever been and is set to continue to grow. This change in the way we’re snacking, from between meal and on-the-go snacks to keep you going until your next meal to whole meals based on a selection of snacks, has prompted a change in consumer demand, with many of us now looking for healthy snacks instead of typically indulgent snack foods that have dominated this category in the past. This shift has ensured both whole grains and legumes are now featuring prominently within the many innovative new offerings available.

Opportunities here are plenty, but where's the biggest potential gain?

Creation of premium products - we’re increasingly willing to pay a premium for a great tasting snack that caters to our lifestyle and fulfils a genuine need. Good Thins crackers are a prime example with a range of different options for all (premium) tastes...

Ever more innovative offerings - Regrained Cereal Bars use leftover grains from the beer brewing process to create whole grain snacks...

There are no limits on innovation - perhaps the biggest opportunity of all within this space - from meat to dairy to veggies, any category is open for disruption. Health and often a focus on protein drives new development, take Biena’s new chickpea snack for example, which combines a typically savoury food with chocolate to create an unusual but delicious snack option...

Manufacturers and retailers will continue to experiment with new trends to fulfill consumer demand and as we become more adventurous with our food and more of us become food explorers, the opportunities for ever more exciting options continues to grow.

To find out more about the fascinating rise of the snack market, read our article here.


References

1. Harland J, Garton L. An update of the evidence relating to plant-based diets and cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and overweight. Nutrition Bulletin. 2016;41(4):323-38.
2. GLNC. 2017. Consumption & Attitudinal Study. 2017. Unpublished.
3. Choosi. Modern Foods Trend Report. 2017.

Plant Foods Offer An Unexpected Protein Hit

Grain foods, including bread, can contribute a surprising amount of plant-based protein to our daily requirements.

While young Aussies are forking out on pricey supplements in a bid to build muscle and cut weight, new evidence has revealed an unexpected source of protein: the humble loaf of bread.

The new findings, from the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council’s (GLNC) annual food category audit, revealed that close to one in every five loaves of wholemeal/whole grain bread assessed was considered a ‘good source’ of protein¹, boasting at least 10g per serve – the same amount found in a glass of milk or two boiled eggs.

Even white bread, often shunned as nutritionally inferior, came out on top with protein content; almost three quarters (73 per cent) of white sliced loaves were a ‘source’ of protein, with at least 5g per serve.

Felicity Curtain, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutrition Manager for GLNC, said this brings perspective to our nation’s protein fixation.

‘Australians are protein-obsessed, with at least 10 per cent of adults over 15 using sports supplements², but most of us can easily reach our daily needs through a range of whole foods, including bread!’

Curtain said grain foods like wheat, rye, barley and oats are naturally rich in plant-based protein, on top of other nutrients like vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and phytochemicals.

‘When combined with other good quality protein foods like meat, eggs, dairy foods or legumes, grains will get you well on your way to meeting your protein needs.’

While individual needs vary based on age, gender, body size and activity level, protein requirements range from between 0.75-1g of protein per kilogram of body weight; around 50g per day for a 65 kilogram woman.

So forget protein shakes, try these post-exercise alternatives that offer at least 15g protein per serve:

· Two slices of whole grain toast with nut butter and sliced banana
· A bowl of whole grain cereal with Greek yoghurt and berries
· A delicious smoothie made with milk, yoghurt, fruit and rolled oats
· A whole grain roll filled with lean ham, cheese and salad
· Whole grain crackers with cheese and hummus

Visit the GLNC Website for recipes, factsheets and up-to-date information on the latest evidence around grains and legumes.

References

1. GLNC. 2017 Bread Audit. Unpublished.
2. https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/publications/Documents/Sports%20Foods%20Quant%20Report.pdf  

What’s trending in grains?

By Alexandra Locke

After a 30% drop in grains consumption in 2014 (1) and plenty of talk about the benefits of the paleo, diet, the dangers of gluten and the plus side to cutting carbs, we’re now seeing a shift in media perspective,  with a much  more positive outlook for grains overall! With the right conditions, it’s high time to start promoting the benefits of grains again and get consumers back on board.

But where do the opportunities lie? There are three key trends where we see grains leading the charge in innovation…

Digestive Wellness

More than ever before, consumers are paying attention to how a specific food can make them feel, so they’re consciously looking for the benefits that certain foods can provide. What’s more, they want to feel assured that they’re promoting their digestive health and overall wellness when making food choices – these consumers will pay a premium for products which taste good and offer functional digestive benefits.

And this is where grains, whole grains specifically, come in – whole grains exhibit an impressive nutritional profile, providing dietary fibre, protein and are a healthy source of carbohydrate , also contributing nutrients like magnesium, folate and iron to our diets. Fibre intake is directly related to our digestive health so the opportunities for whole grain innovation in this category are big!

Good Carbs, Bad Carbs

Over the past year or so we've increasingly seen consumers understanding that there are ‘good’ and ‘bad’ carbs, with an emphasis on the importance of choosing the most healthful carbohydrate format. Both the media and consumers are becoming more aware that carbohydrates are essential as part of a healthy balanced diet, focusing on crowding out refined and processed carbohydrates by increasing intake of whole grains, wholemeal bread and pseudo-grains, as well as eating more ‘alternative’ forms of carbohydrates, think sweet potato toasts and zucchini noodles.

With ‘healthier’ forms of traditionally carbohydrate heavy foods now on the rise, we’re seeing significant movement towards alternatives such as ancient grains, legumes flours and even substitution of flour with pureed veg! But again, with consumer awareness of whole grains on the rise, grains can still play a significant part in the healthful innovation of this category.

Snackification

And finally, the rise of snackification is promoting massive innovation. The Australian snacking market is now worth more than $2 billion and climbing fast (2) and Australians are now snacking four times as much as 10 years ago.

And it would appear that anything goes with this trend, any food can be engineered to be thought of as a snack, any time of day is open to snackification and there are no limits on product development - almost any ingredient that can be dried, pureed, shaped, extruded or frozen is open to innovation. Whilst grains traditionally dominated this category, we’re still seeing big opportunities for grain foods moving forward. More food than ever is being consumed on-the-go, especially at breakfast and manufacturers are innovating with grains to make healthy choices more convenient for today’s busy lifestyles.

Whilst these trends clearly present big opportunities for manufacturers and retailers, there are also significant opportunities for those at the very beginning of the supply chain – for the growers and the farmers.

These mega-trends have paved the way for several smaller trends within the grains space…

Ancient Grains 

Quinoa is now found on nearly every trendy café menu in some form or another with this group of grains being seen as untainted and intrinsically healthy. Perhaps their alternative title of pseudo-grains has helped with the allure, but this presents opportunities for diversification on farm and many young farmers are doing just that. And perhaps fonio is the next big ancient grain?

Back to Basics with Oats 

This humble grain has seen a huge resurgence in popularity in recent years and manufacturers have already taken advantage of this opportunity. Now’s the time for growers to reap the rewards of increased demand for this crop and add value in the form of exclusivity… think single origin oats, exotic flavours and on-the-go formats.

Provenance 

Consumers want to connect with their food more than ever, so now is the time for growers to tell their story. With social media at our fingertips and whole communities of consumers ready and waiting, the desire to understand where our food comes from is strong. And consumers are actively seeking out those products with a story behind them.

Now is the time to connect with consumers, tell them the story of how their product got from farm to store and enrich them with the knowledge of understanding where their food comes from. We can’t leave it just to the marketers and manufacturers to promote this category anymore – we all need to be involved with spreading the story and helping to bring back the belief in grains!

References

1. GLNC. 2017. Consumption & Attitudes Study. Unpublished.

2. Innova Market Insights Report. 2016

Should We Still Be Eating Wheat

By Helen Tran, APD

Wheat has featured in the human diet for more than 8,500 years, but more recently the media has led us to question if wheat is good for our health. A recent example of this manipulation of consumer perception is the documentary ‘What’s with Wheat?’ hosted by Australian Nutritionist, Cyndi O’Meara.

But it’s true that wheat isn’t tolerated by a small subset of the population, including those with diagnosed coeliac disease, a wheat allergy or non-coeliac wheat sensitivity, so we’ve taken a look at what the science says for the rest of us.

Does wheat cause a rise in coeliac disease and wheat sensitivity?

It’s suggested that modern wheat varieties created by genetic research, has led to the addition of a ‘new’ protein in wheat called gliadin, which in turn has led to an increase in the number of people with Coeliac disease and wheat sensitivity. But this notion is flawed. All varieties of wheat contain gliadin, including ancient and modern varieties, suggesting that we have always been exposed to gliadin in our diets.^(1,2)

Similarly, results from a study examining data from the 20^th and 21^st centuries in the United States do not support the theory that wheat breeding has caused a rise in gluten content in wheat.⁽³⁾ Another theory is that fructan in wheat has increased, but once again there is no well-designed research to support this. In one study, some ancient wheat species had a higher fructan content than modern wheat species.⁽⁴⁾

Overall, the evidence does not support the notion that modern wheat has a higher gliadin, gluten or fructan content compared to ancient varieties. It may be likely that the rise in coeliac disease and wheat sensitivity in the last 50 years comes from improvements in detection methods and an overwhelming increase in our awareness of how specific foods make us feel.

Does eating wheat lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes?

The relatively recent abundance of wheat products on our supermarket shelves has been identified as one factor responsible for the global increase in incidences of obesity and overweight. Whilst it’s tempting to find a single culprit for this very concerning trend, it is an oversimplification. This assertion overlooks the multiple interacting factors that can contribute to weight gain, including genetics, individual psychology, environment, dietary intake and level of physical activity.^(1,5)

Contrary to this claim, a recent analysis of the Australian National Nutrition Survey found that people who eat the recommended amount of core grain food each day are no more likely to be overweight than those who limit grain foods. Research also shows those people who eat whole grains, including whole grain wheat, have been shown to have the least amount of abdominal fat accumulation compared to those people who eat refined grains or limit all grains.⁽⁶⁾ In fact, eating foods made with whole grain wheat may have positive effects on long term weight management.⁽¹⁾

Currently, there is no clear evidence that wheat (whole grain or refined) is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In fact, well-designed studies show that individuals who regularly eat whole grains (most of which are wheat based) are at a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to those who eat the least.^(1,8,9)

The protective effects of whole grain wheat comes from the dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals it contains. So to reduce our risk of type 2 diabetes, the answer doesn’t lie in cutting out wheat completely, but in choosing whole grain and high fibre wheat foods instead with an aim to increase our intake of whole grains, including whole grain wheat.

Does eating wheat cause inflammation?

It’s been proposed that plant defense proteins called amylase trypsin inhibitors may cause chronic inflammation and activate the immune system^(10-12) but there is currently no evidence which supports this theory.

There is however, mounting evidence to suggest that higher intakes of whole grains may be protective against cardiovascular disease, hypertension, metabolic disorders and specific cancers. ^(13,14) Prebiotic fibres in fibre-rich grains stimulate the production of short chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, that have been shown to enhance the intestinal barrier function.⁽¹⁵⁾

This limited research shows that further research is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn about the effects of wheat on inflammation.

Does eating wheat change the behaviour of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders?

More and more parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are adopting a gluten free diet to manage their child’s behaviour.⁽¹⁶⁾ It’s been hypothesised that children with ASD may have a leaky gut and peptides of gluten in gluten-containing foods could enter the central nervous system. The theory suggests that gluten peptides may intensify brain opioid activity and disrupt normal brain function.⁽¹⁶⁾ Scientific evidence for the leaky gut theory remains inconclusive and evidence to either support or refute the use of a gluten free diet for managing ASD is inadequate.

In the absence of evidence of an effect of gluten on ASD, it is not recommended that children are placed on a gluten-free diet as this diet has been shown to be deficient in nutrients that are important for a child’s growth and development, including B vitamins, iron, zinc and magnesium.

Instead it’s recommended that time and resources would be best spent on more robustly designed interventions.⁽¹⁷⁾ Until more evidence is available, a gluten free diet should only be adopted by children with coeliac disease or wheat sensitivity.

So what’s the bottom line?

Given the evidence, there appears to be no benefit in removing wheat from the diets of the general population. In fact, eating whole grain foods, predominately those that are wheat-based, have been shown to reduce chronic disease risk and are a leading source of essential nutrients in the Australian diet including fibre, B vitamins, iron, magnesium and iodine. Although more research is required to identify the specific link between wheat (whole grain and refined) and health outcomes, it appears that wheat may not negatively affect our health like the many claims that appear consistently in the media.

As such, it’s important not to rely solely on claims appearing in the media but consider the positives and negatives of all available evidence. After all, it’s up to us to make the best decision for our health.

For more information on the multiple benefits of wheat and whole grains, download the GLNC Grains for Health Report here or visit our website for recipes, factsheets and more here.

References

1.    Brouns FJPH, van Buul VJ, Shewry PR. Does wheat make us fat and sick? Journal of Cereal Science. 2013;58(2):209-15.

2.    Prandi B, Tedeschi T, Folloni S, Galaverna G, Sforza S. Peptides from gluten digestion: A comparison between old and modern wheat varieties. Food Research International.

3.    Kasarda DD. Can an increase in celiac disease be attributed to an increase in the gluten content of wheat as a consequence of wheat breeding? Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2013;61(6):1155-9.

4.    Ziegler JU, Steiner D, Longin CFH, Würschum T, Schweiggert RM, Carle R. Wheat and the irritable bowel syndrome – FODMAP levels of modern and ancient species and their retention during bread making. Journal of Functional Foods. 2016;25:257-66.

5.    Newell B, Proust K, Dyball R, McManus P. Seeing obesity as a systems problem. New South Wales Public Health Bulletin. 2007;18(12):214-8.

6.    Molenaar EA, Massaro JM, Jacques PF, Pou KM, Ellison RC, Hoffmann U, et al. Association of lifestyle factors with abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adiposity: the Framingham Heart Study. Diabetes care. 2009;32(3):505-10.

7.    Aune D, Norat T, Romundstad P, Vatten LJ. Whole grain and refined grain consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of cohort studies. European Journal of Epidemiology. 2013;28(11):845-58.

8.    Wu H, Flint AJ, Qi Q, van Dam RM, Sampson LA, Rimm EB, et al. Association Between Dietary Whole Grain Intake and Risk of Mortality: Two Large Prospective Studies in US Men and Women. JAMA Intern Med. 2015.

9.    Kucek LK, Veenstra LD, Amnuaycheewa P, Sorrells ME. A Grounded Guide to Gluten: How Modern Genotypes and Processing Impact Wheat Sensitivity. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 2015;14(3):285-302.

10. Cuccioloni M, Mozzicafreddo M, Ali I, Bonfili L, Cecarini V, Eleuteri AM, et al. Interaction between wheat alpha-amylase/trypsin bi-functional inhibitor and mammalian digestive enzymes: Kinetic, equilibrium and structural characterization of binding. Food chemistry. 2016;213:571-8.

11. Junker Y, Zeissig S, Kim S-J, Barisani D, Wieser H, Leffler DA, et al. Wheat amylase trypsin inhibitors drive intestinal inflammation via activation of toll-like receptor 4. The Journal of experimental medicine. 2012;209(13):2395-408.

12. Jones JM, Peña RJ, Korczak R, Braun HJ. CIMMYT Series on Carbohydrates, Wheat, Grains, and Health: Carbohydrates, Grains, and Wheat in Nutrition and Health: Their Relation to Digestion, Digestive Disorders, Blood Glucose, and Inflammation. Cereal Foods World. 2016;61(1):4-17.

13. Aune D, Keum N, Giovannucci E, Fadnes LT, Boffetta P, Greenwood DC, et al. Whole grain consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all cause and cause specific mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Bmj. 2016;353.

14. Brahe LK, Astrup A, Larsen LH. Is butyrate the link between diet, intestinal microbiota and obesity-related metabolic diseases? Obesity Reviews. 2013;14(12):950-9.

15. Christison GW, Ivany K. Elimination diets in autism spectrum disorders: any wheat amidst the chaff? Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP. 2006;27(2 Suppl):S162-S71.

16. Hurwitz S. The Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet and Autism: Limited Return on Family Investment. Journal of Early Intervention. 2013;35(1):3-19.

Finally, the news we’ve all been waiting to hear – eating pasta and bread does not contribute to weight gain

Recent ground-breaking research has finally dispelled the myth that eating grain foods causes weight gain and furthermore, suggests that grains are much more nutritious than most people think. The research comes from the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council who conducted an analysis of the most recent National Nutrition Survey, which looked at the diets of over 9,000 adults (1). Results showed that consumption of core grain foods, including both white and wholegrain bread and pasta, was not linked to waist circumference or BMI.

A range of factors that can affect weight status were taken into account in the study, including physical activity levels and whether the study subject was on a diet with the data still showing that people eating six or more serves of core grain foods per day, have similar waistline measurements and BMI’s than those who restrict their grain intake.

Almost one in two Australians limit wheat and other grain foods due to this misperception that foods such as bread and pasta cause weight gain (2), so it’s no surprise that Australians are missing out on the additional health benefits of grain foods. This avoidance has been driven by the recent ‘gluten free’ and ‘free from’ trends, with 21% of people in the Asia-Pacific region stating that a gluten free label influences their purchasing behaviour (3).

In Australia in particular, this has led to a 30% reduction in the consumption of core grain foods over 2 years (2), due to a belief that grain foods, even high fibre grain foods such as whole grain bread and wholemeal pasta, have no place in a healthy diet. And young women are missing out the most, with just 8.5% of 19-50 year old females meeting core grain food recommendations (2).

There are many benefits to be had when consuming a diet rich in core grain foods, particularly whole grain and high fibre choices. Whole grain wheat and bran-based grain foods contain insoluble fibre which promotes regular digestive function alongside fermentable dietary fibre in grains which behave like prebiotics, encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. So grains are good for your gut health too!

In addition, those with higher intakes of whole grain and high fibre grain foods are less likely to gain weight over time (4&5), have heart disease (6&7), experience low grade inflammation (8-12), suffer an early death (13) and are more likely to report being in excellent health. By cutting out core grain foods believing it will keep them slim, people may be putting their health at risk. Find out more of the health benefits of whole grains here.

Michelle Broom, General Manager of the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council, explains, “This new study adds to the evidence that core grain foods are an important  part of a healthy, balanced diet. By meeting the recommended six daily serves, at least half of which should be whole grain, we can enjoy the many benefits of core grain consumption, without any difference in BMI or waist circumference.”

It’s easy to get your recommended six serves a day; with 2 slices of whole grain toast for breakfast, a salad with a cup of quinoa for lunch and half a cup of pasta with a tomato sauce for dinner. For delicious ideas to up your grain intake, including this deliciously different Indian Spiced Millet Pilaf or a Quinoa & Wheat Berry Tabouleh visit the GLNC website.

For more information on the number of grain serves recommended for different age and gender groups download our factsheet.

References

1. Nutrition Research Australia. Secondary Analysis of the 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Submitted for publication. 2015

2. Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC). 2014 Australian Grains and Legumes Consumption & Attitudinal Report. Unpublished. 2014

3. The Nielsen Company. We Are What We Eat: Healthy Eating Trends Around the World. http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/nielsenglobal/

4. Williams PG, Grafenauer SJ, O'Shea JE. Cereal Grains, Legumes, and Weight Management: A Comprehensive Review of the Ccientific Evidence. Nutrition Reviews. 2008;66(4):171-82.

5.  Mozaffarian D, Hao T, Rimm EB, Willett WC, Hu FB. Changes in Diet and Lifestyle and Long-Term Weight Gain in Women and Men. New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;364(25):2392-404.

6. Tang G, Wang D, Long J, Yang F, Si L. Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Whole Grain Intake and Coronary Heart Disease Risk. American Journal of Cardiology. 2015;115(5):625-9.

7. Barclay AW, Petocz P, McMillan-Price J, Flood VM, Prvan T, Mitchell P, et al. Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, and Chronic Disease Risk—A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2008;87(3):627-37.

8. Lefevre M, Jonnalagadda S. Effect of Whole Grains on Markers of Subclinical Inflammation. Nutrition Reviews. 2012;70(7):387-96.

9. Galisteo M, Duarte J, Zarzuelo A. Effects of Dietary Fibers on Disturbances Clustered in the Metabolic Syndrome. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.19(2):71-84.

10. King DE, Mainous AG, Egan BM, Woolson RF, Geesey ME. Fiber and C-Reactive Protein in Diabetes, Hypertension, and Obesity. Diabetes Care. 2005;28(6):1487-9.

11.  King DE, Egan BM, Geesey ME. Relation of Dietary Fat and Fiber to Elevation of C-Reactive Protein. American Journal of Cardiology.92(11):1335-9.

12. Ajani UA, Ford ES, Mokdad AH. Dietary Fiber and C-Reactive Protein: Findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data. The Journal of Nutrition. 2004;134(5):1181-5 13. Kim Y, Je Y. Dietary Fiber Intake and Total Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2014;180(6):565-73.

14. Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC). GLNC Grains & Legumes Product Audit. Unpublished. 2015-16

Health Star Rating

The Health Star Rating (HSR) system, which rates foods from half-a-star to five stars based on nutritional value, was approved by the Federal and State Ministers in June 2013 and has been implemented since June 2014 on a voluntary basis by the food industry. Interestingly, the system is at odds with the Australian Dietary Guidelines in the exclusion of whole grains from the algorithm.

Currently, the nutritional value of a large number of whole grain foods is not accurately reflected in the HSR system due to the exclusion of whole grain from the algorithm to calculate the number of stars. In consultation with manufacturers, GLNC conducted an assessment of 285 grain-based foods on shelf in 2015 – 2016 which shows that the crude inclusion of whole grain in the HSR system algorithm would affect at least 76 products across a variety of categories. This represents one quarter of all grain foods assessed.

One argument against the inclusion of whole grain in the calculation of HSR ‘V’ points is that fibre may be considered a proxy measure for whole grain. However, the assessment of the number of products affected by the addition of whole grain to the calculation indicates this is not always true. 

GLNC understands that altering the algorithm to include whole grain may be more complex than the crude addition of a point. However, we believe the magnitude of the potential public health benefit warrants consideration of a change to the algorithm.

Only 30% of the grain food intake of Australian adults is whole grain, well short of the 66% recommended by the Australian Dietary Guidelines. By recognizing whole grain in the HSR system, this will encourage people to choose foods higher in whole grain more often which will promote increased whole grain consumption, reducing risk of chronic disease.

Adding whole grain to the HSR algorithm may encourage the development of foods with higher whole grain content. This is a positive change for the food supply. Currently, whole grain is used predominantly in core grain foods such as breakfast cereals and bread, but in a very limited capacity in discretionary foods such as biscuits. Any proposed change to the algorithm would need to assess the potential effect on the HSR of discretionary foods. However, it is unlikely large quantities of whole grain would be added to discretionary foods for reasons of increasing HSR status only as this raises functional issues. Manufacturers have found adding large quantities of the bran and germ content of whole grain wheat can have a detrimental effect on product quality and acceptability. 

As the HSR system evolves, consideration should be given to the significant public health benefit of potentially changing the algorithm to include whole grain.

Should We Eat Wheat?

Should We Eat Wheat?

Australians are increasingly mindful of the effect food has on health. In some cases this is a good thing as shown in a recent report where 40% of people stated one of their food priorities for the next 12 months was to eat more fruit and vegetables. Great news.

However, sometimes the temptation to label food as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ is too strong and people go in search of a single food that is the cause of all modern health problems.

Grains are not immune to this, and in recent times wheat has come into the spotlight. Some people, no doubt with all the best intentions, have become suspicious that eating wheat may be causing health issues. So, what are they concerned about and are their concerns valid?

Does eating wheat lead to obesity?

The key to this piece of the puzzle is to consider the quality of the food, not just the wheat it is made with. It’s true, wheat is found in many foods that if eaten in large quantities may lead to weight gain. Foods such as pies and sausage rolls, pizza, cakes and biscuits. However, wheat is also an important ingredient in core gain foods that provide essential nutrients in our diet. These are foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, pasta and couscous. Research in Australia has shown that people who eat the recommended six serves of these core grain foods, including those made from both refined and whole grain wheat, have similar BMI and waist circumference to those who eat the least amount of core grain foods. A large number of studies also show that people who eat more whole grain and high fibre core grain foods are less likely to be obese and less likely to gain weight over time. So it is the quality of the wheat-based foods that is important rather than the wheat itself.

Has wheat changed over time, causing increased rates of coeliac disease?

There is speculation that modern varieties of wheat contain higher levels of gluten than older varieties and this change is responsible for the apparent increase in coeliac disease during the second half of the 20th century. In an age of rapid technological advances it is no wonder people question the effect of technology on the food we eat. However, we cannot let suspicion take the place of evidence. Results from a comprehensive study examining data from the 20th and 21st centuries does not support the theory that wheat breeding has increased the gluten content of wheat.

There is also the suggestion that modern wheat is ‘created by genetic research’ and this has led to the inclusion of an unnatural protein, gliadin, which is responsible for stimulating appetite and causing weight gain.  In fact, gliadins are present in all wheat lines and in related wild species. Seeds of certain ancient types of wheat have even greater amounts of total gliadin than modern varieties.

Gluten should be avoided by everyone

Some theories suggest that even in healthy people gluten causes damage to the lining of the gut, increasing permeability of the gut wall and that this leads to an autoimmune response that can cause damage to the neurological system. The effect of gluten on the gut wall is well known in people with coeliac disease. However, there is no evidence to suggest this is true for people without coeliac disease.

In fact, research on the leaky gut concept suggests it may be caused by substances which damage the gut lining including an infection, alcohol, medications, or alternatively can be associated with inflammation, untreated coeliac disease or due to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Other than in the case of untreated coeliac disease grain foods and legumes are not identified as causes of leaky gut. 

In contrast to the suggestion that grains and grain foods cause a ‘leaky gut’, there is evidence shows fibre-rich grains contain prebiotic fibres which provide a surface for beneficial bacteria to thrive on producing short chain fatty acids, such as butyrate which has a demonstrated ability to enhance the intestinal barrier function

The Bottom Line – Should we Eat Wheat?

Stories from friends or even doctors about positive health changes resulting from cutting out a food can be very compelling. In fact, research from GLNC shows that family and friends are the second strongest influence over people’s health decisions after their GP. However as Oscar Wilde once said,  “The truth is rarely pure and never simple”. 

People are right to be making decisions about what they eat based on the effect on their health. But the key is not to make quick decisions based on the experience of a few people. Instead, we need to do the more difficult thing: think carefully about the information we receive and consider all the well-designed research, both negative and positive.

So, what does the whole picture tell us about wheat? It tells us that there are a number of reasons to eat wheat-based core foods, especially whole grain and high fibre choices: you’re more likely to be a healthier weight and get the essential nutrients you need, and you’re less likely to develop type 2 diabetes or heart disease than if you cut them out. In contrast, there is very limited evidence of the negative effects other than some compelling personal stories and anecdotes from doctors about patients.

The choice is yours.

References

IPSOS. FoodChats Annual Report 2015 – 2016. http://ipsos.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Food-CHATs-report-abridged.2016.pdf

Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC). Grains for Health. 2016. http://www.glnc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Grains-for-Health-Report-FINAL.pdf

Kasarda DD. Can an increase in celiac disease be attributed to an increase in the gluten content of wheat as a consequence of wheat breeding? J Agric Food Chem. Feb 13 2013;61(6):1155-1159.