Whole Grains
Whole grains have been the primary food stuff of all great civilisations, since the beginning of time. It is only recently since the industrial revolution that our diets have changed radically and that we have replaced whole grains with refined processed grains like white bread, white rice and white pasta.
This change with the addition of increased meat and dairy consumption are the primary causes of degenerative illness in the industrialised world today. Whole grains such as brown rice, barley, millet, quinoa, corn and many more are rich in complex carbohydrates, fibre, protein, anti oxidants, minerals and vitamins. This makes whole grains the best choice as the centre of a balanced diet.
Whole grains especially brown rice are the most balanced food in and of themselves. Complex carbohydrates are absorbed slowly into the bloodstream giving the body well sustained and steady energy, whereas simple carbohydrates raise the blood sugar sharply and then drop it which results in low energy and the 'sugar blues'.
Very recently there have been many fad diets that advocate leaving out carbohydrates all together and in fact people have had great short term results. Let us not misunderstand what is happening, if you are eating a diet based on refined carbohydrates including white sugar you are certainly going to lose weight in the short term by cutting out these foods, but for good health in the long run you need whole grains (complex carbs) because they are balanced, full of nutrients and therefore should be the base of your diet complimented with beans, vegetables, sea vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds, and seasonal fruits.
Simple carbohydrates (white rice, white bread, white pasta and refined sugar) on the other hand are 'empty foods' containing little nutrition which tend to put on unwanted weight, clog up your system and wreak havoc on your overall health.