Wheat Belly Diet: Best Beer Choices To Enjoy

The Wheat Belly diet, created by cardiologist William Davis, MD, involves eliminating wheat and other gluten-containing foods such as barley, rye, and spelt, as well as foods with high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, salt, sugary items, rice, potatoes, soda, dried fruit, legumes, trans fats, fried foods, and cured meats. Wheat-brewed beers are off the menu, but red wine is allowed. The diet is medium to high effort, requiring cooking and shopping for mostly fresh foods, and it may be more expensive. It is not a typical gluten-free diet, as Davis advises against gluten-free products that contain cornstarch, rice starch, or potato starch, which he says will not aid weight loss.

Beer is known to be high in calories, with an average of 150 calories per can, and it can be easy to drink several in one sitting, leading to a calorie overload. Beer also stimulates the appetite, often leading to the consumption of high-calorie foods such as pizza, wings, and other fried foods. Alcohol also impairs judgement, leading to less healthy food choices.

Wheat beers are off the menu

If you're following the Wheat Belly diet, you'll be avoiding wheat-brewed beers. The diet, created by cardiologist William Davis, MD, involves cutting out all wheat, including bread, pasta, cereal, pretzels, and doughnuts. That means no wheat beers.

The Wheat Belly diet is based on the idea that giving up wheat can help you lose weight, feel better, and have more energy. Davis's book, Wheat Belly, claims that most of his patients who followed a wheat-free diet lost a significant amount of weight and experienced improved energy, better focus, deeper sleep, and better lung, joint, and bowel health.

However, it's important to note that there is no scientific evidence that foods with gluten cause more weight gain than other foods. Most nutrition experts agree that the best way to lose weight is to eat a healthy, balanced diet with fewer calories and be more active. Banishing food groups is not recommended unless there is scientific evidence to back that decision up.

So, if you're looking to cut down on wheat beers, you may want to consider following a more balanced approach to your diet and lifestyle, rather than a restrictive diet like Wheat Belly.

While you may need to say goodbye to wheat beers, there are still plenty of other beverage options to enjoy. According to Davis, red wine is supported on the Wheat Belly diet for its heart-healthy benefits. You can also enjoy unlimited plant-based oils, such as olive, avocado, coconut, and cocoa butter. Just be sure to drink in moderation and always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet.

Red wine is allowed in moderation

The Wheat Belly diet, inspired by cardiologist William Davis, MD, involves eliminating wheat and other grains such as barley, rye, and spelt from your diet. The diet also recommends cutting out high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, salt, sugary foods, rice, potatoes, soda, fruit juice, dried fruit, legumes, and more.

When it comes to alcohol, wheat-brewed beers are off the menu, but red wine is allowed in moderation. Red wine is rich in antioxidants and offers potential heart-healthy benefits. However, it is important to note that red wine contains calories from alcohol and carbs, so drinking it in excess may hinder weight loss and contribute to weight gain.

• Stick to one serving, which is typically defined as 5 ounces (150 mL) of wine.
• Track your calorie intake to ensure you maintain a calorie deficit, which is crucial for weight loss.
• Avoid dessert wines as they tend to be sweeter and contain more sugar and calories per serving.
• Choose dry wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot, as they contain less sugar and fewer calories.
• Pair your wine with a glass of water. This helps you stay hydrated, prevents excessive drinking, and may reduce the number of glasses consumed.
• Order wine after your meal to avoid a blood sugar spike that can lead to fat storage.

Remember, while red wine is allowed on the Wheat Belly diet, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Avoid high-fructose corn syrup

Wheat Belly is a diet created by cardiologist William Davis, MD, who recommends eliminating wheat and other gluten-containing foods from your diet. The diet also suggests cutting out high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener commonly found in processed foods and beverages. Here are some reasons why you should avoid high-fructose corn syrup:

Health Risks

High-fructose corn syrup has been linked to several health risks. It can lead to weight gain and obesity due to its high calorie content. Additionally, it can contribute to increased blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, which can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. High consumption of high-fructose corn syrup has also been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular issues.

Lack of Nutrition

High-fructose corn syrup is a processed sweetener that provides little to no nutritional value. Unlike natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup, it lacks essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Consuming high-fructose corn syrup can lead to an increased intake of "empty calories", which can displace more nutritious food choices in your diet.

Impact on Energy Levels

The consumption of high-fructose corn syrup can lead to fluctuations in energy levels. While it may provide a quick energy boost, it is often followed by an energy crash, leaving you feeling tired and fatigued. This is because high-fructose corn syrup causes a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, followed by an excessive release of insulin, leading to a drop in blood sugar.

Gut Health

High-fructose corn syrup can have negative effects on gut health. It has been linked to an increased risk of dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the gut microbiome, which can lead to digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and diarrhoea. Additionally, it may contribute to the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, further compromising digestive health.

Alternative Options

There are several healthier alternative sweeteners available that can be used in place of high-fructose corn syrup. These include natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, stevia, and monk fruit extract. These options offer sweetness without the same negative health impacts and provide additional nutritional benefits, such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

In conclusion, avoiding high-fructose corn syrup is an important aspect of the Wheat Belly diet and can have numerous health benefits. By cutting out this processed sweetener, you can reduce your risk of weight gain, improve gut health, stabilise energy levels, and make way for more nutritious food choices in your diet.

Avoid cured meats

Cured meats are on the list of foods to avoid on the Wheat Belly diet.

The Wheat Belly diet is based on the book by cardiologist William Davis, *Wheat Belly*. In the book, Davis recalls how he noticed that he felt sluggish after eating wheat products for breakfast, and how his blood work revealed high cholesterol and diabetic blood sugar levels. He started his own wheat-free experiment, and asked his overweight, diabetes-prone patients to do the same. He gave them a list of foods low on the glycemic index to eat instead of foods made with wheat, and asked them to come back three months later for a checkup.

Most of the patients lost a significant amount of weight, and their blood sugar levels dropped from the diabetic range to normal. They also reported improved energy, better focus, deeper sleep, and better lung, joint, and bowel health.

In the book, Davis recommends cutting out cured meats. He also suggests cutting out high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, salt, sugary foods, rice, potatoes, soda, fruit juice, dried fruit, legumes, and more.

You should also avoid trans fats, fried foods, and foods with artificial colorings and preservatives.

Instead, Davis recommends eating unlimited raw nuts, plant-based oils such as olive, avocado, coconut, and cocoa butter, and grass-fed, humanely raised meat and eggs.

You can also eat limited quantities of full-fat, unsweetened cottage cheese, yogurt, milk, and butter, as well as fermented soy products, olives, avocados, pickled vegetables, and raw seeds.

Eat unlimited raw nuts

Nuts are a great source of protein and nutrients and can rightfully be a part of any healthy diet plan.

On the Wheat Belly diet, you can eat unlimited raw nuts. However, Dr. Davis cautions against simply replacing wheat-based items with "gluten-free" versions, which often contain cornstarch, rice starch, potato starch, or tapioca starch and will not aid in weight loss.

Some nuts you can eat on the Wheat Belly diet include:

• Almonds
• Brazil nuts
• Cashews
• Coconut/shredded coconut/coconut flakes (unsweetened)
• Filberts
• Hazelnuts
• Macadamia nuts
• Peanuts
• Pecans
• Pistachios
• Walnuts

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