The KInd Life Community Forum

I just read through the book and loved it, but while I have been sort of on a undefined plant-based diet for many years, I have never really Incorporated grains as much. Don't get me wrong, I would dabble in whole wheat couscous, pasta, quinoa...etc, but I am afraid of them b/c of their carbs--silly I know. I just feel like I gain weight when I eat carbs... I love them, but I feel like I have to refrain. The Superhero-Macrobiotic diets call for heavy grains... what are your thoughts. I know what Alicia said, but I don't know where to start even in how much to eat them... Also, the Japanese influence is exciting, but miso and other ingredients seem to contain so much sodium, even in sea salt. I have always used sea salt, but very sparingly... What are your thoughts on this...? Thanks!

I was afraid of the grains, too, but I've thrown myself into "super-vegan" whole heartedly and I'm not seeing a problem. I'm not quite super-hero, but I'm more than vegan. I went straight from pseudo-vegetarian.

In fact, what I'm seeing is the contrary to the usual carb weight gain. I feel skinnier (and I'm a good 40 pounds over what I should be, so I'm not skinny), kind of "hollow" in the middle, but not hungry. It's weird to describe. I'm not weighing myself because I want to get away from counting and watching and measuring, ie obsessing, but I can tell that after only 9 days I've started losing weight. It's even starting to be visible. And, unlike with the more refined carbs, I'm almost never hungry anymore. Truly, this is the best thing I've done in my 25+ years of watching my weight. I'm 40, btw, so I've been watching my weight since oh, 12 or 13 years old. I've tried it all!

One of my favorite grains is quinoa. It's tasty, and hearty, and filling in a not very large amount. Also, Kashi makes a 7-grain pilaf that is entirely unprocessed. Look for it in the hot cereal section. It's a great breakfast with half a banana and a drizzle of agave. Even my DH is into that!

Pasta and couscous are going to be more carb-y than straight grains like quinoa and brown rice. I like to substitute quinoa for couscous. The taste is a little different, but it's a good switch. I'm about to experiment with millet and I got some buckwheat groats that look really intresting, and I really like buckwheat flour, so I'm eager to work with that as well. We're lucky to have a terrific co-op with a huge bulk grain section.

Hope this helps!

Just a little tip for anyone still experimenting with "new-to-you" types of grain...I've been getting lunch from the Whole Foods salad bar and they have lots of stuff to try. Different types of rices, beans, kamut, quinoa, wheatberries, and of course fruit and salad items. Lots of the grains and beans are pre-made into salads (like tabouleh) but you can also get them plain. I think the salad bar is around $6 - 7 per pound so its a great way to experiment and pick up an easy lunch. :)

all those grains have alot of fiber. you wont have a problem going to the bathroom. they actually get your skinny going thats what happened to me.

With Type 2 Diabetes, carbs is a no no for me as refined pastas, breads doesnt work. Yes, sugar is part but carbs turn to sugar that is why you want a whole grain. The carb places a burden on the pancreas, liver too. I have my blood sugar down to 5.7 and if this continues in six months will be drug free.. so this change of diet to the kind diet will be very helpful as I have been lacto-vegetarian ,yes eaten a little fish and chicken ocassionally but will slowly wean myself from meat and dairy. The other night I had the best humus veggie wrap with a spinach tortilla and that was the best thing I have eaten away from home. Good Luck!! OH, yami is right about the bathroom...working already for me, too.