Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health

Call it "The Carnivorous Squirrel Diet." I liked the book up until the last chapter. He outlines (perhaps in too much detail) reasonable, scientific evidence to support why a diet free from genetically modified wheat is better for you in every way. While he states that you should cut wheat

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altogether, I'm going to argue and say that if you eat wheat that has not been genetically modified, you will not suffer these consequences, since the genetic modification is what causes the problems. But I digress. When he got to the end, though, he suddenly listed all the other foods you shouldn't eat for similar reasons. He lists every food imaginable except for vegetables, berries, nuts, seeds, cheese, and meat. He gives you an impossible diet that would leave anyone miserable, especially if you don't like to eat meat. What about quinoa? Yams? Wild rice? Rye? Stone-ground, unsalted corn chips? Lentils or other legumes? No, no, and no. He states that you can eat unlimited nuts and cheese, which I believe is flat-out wrong. Nuts and cheese have been shown to be healthy, sure, but only in moderation. The whole diet he proposes at the end is absurd. Yes he makes a good argument against GMO wheat, but that's as far as it goes for me.

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TITLE: Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path
AUTHOR: William Davis, MD
PUBLISHER: Rodale Publishing

In Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path, Dr. Davis talks about the genetic engineering that has taken place with wheat and that it is not the

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wheat of our forefathers. How this wheat is now actually causing more harm than good. Dr. Davis believes that if we cut out all of the wheat products in our diet, even though the American Dietetic Society says...wheat is good, then we will notice a definite improvement in not only our physical health....but also in our mental clarity as well.

This is an easy to read book that gives you a lot information on what wheat is doing to our bodies. Dr. Davis doesn't just tell us that wheat is bad and stop eating it. He also lays out a plan for stopping along with providing sample menus and quite a few recipes to help you along in your quest for a wheat-free life. There are also several pages of references for research to back up his claims.

I am not sure where I stand on belief of this claim, however, I am going to do my own research by giving up wheat in all forms for at least 4 weeks and see what the outcome will be.

DISCLAIMER: I got this book from Net Galley free of charge for an honest review. The views here are my own.

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The beginning of the book was difficult to get through because it's all science. Yes, it's good to know how Davis came to his conclusion that living without wheat will make a person healthier, but twelve chapters seemed long.

He explains the best way to cut wheat out of your diet is cold turkey and

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goes on to give reasons why some people also cut out cornmeal, rice, nightshades and soda in order to feel healthier. He provides a list of things you should eat. The book includes a one week meal plan.

I do believe the wheat we eat now is different from what was available 50 years ago and no one knows the long-term effects of the genetically modified wheat we're ingesting. One of my best friends feels better on a gluten free diet. I am ingesting more fruits and vegetables at meal time and eating less processed items but I'm not certain I'm ready to try a wheat free diet at this time.

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At some points entirely too clinical for me, but oh boy, did I learn a lot.

Excellent book on weight loss by cutting down wheat

Quite an entertaining read. Author is convincing in letting us know that carbohydrates in general (and wheat in particular) is evil. But, at times he goes overboard in blaming the wheat for all the ills. At times, while reading I thought he will soon (in next pages) blame wheat for earthquakes.

5

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star for entertainment
4 star for information
1 star for getting overboard

On an average good read 4 stars.

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Listened for Fun (Audible)

Rating: 3.50
Audio Rating: 3.00

What I thought of the information: I thought the views were a bit extreme for non-gluten allergy people. One example was calling for warning labels on wheat containing products in the vain of tobacco (extreme health risk) instead of like

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peanuts for allergies (health risk to a specific group). Also, I found it a bit hypocritical the he called for the usage of artificial sweeteners after saying the problem with wheat is that it has been genetically altered different than what our grandparents ate. That being said, I did enjoy hearing the science behind his research. What was found through several studies made for intriguing and thought provoking moments. It did give me pause and I imagine there is a lot of truth jumbled up in all the extreme views.

I listened to this book because there are a few people I work with that have given up wheat/gluten. I am not sure if they officially have issues with these but they swear they feel much better. I do try to be wheat/gluten light and follow a mostly hunter/gatherer type of diet. That being said, I don't know if I could (or would) give up wheat/gluten completely. This book would be super interesting for those suffering from wheat/gluten issues and even those interested in giving a different type of lifestyle a try. I agree that so much of what we eat now is not the same as what our grandparents did. It is genetically changed and I am sure that means we don't process it the same.

What I thought of the audio: I think this book would be more suited for print but the PDF that came with it is helpful. It was a little to clinical for audio and not something you can really listen to while doing other things. That being said, I think it would be a perfect companion to the print version. I have done that with clinical books and it makes retaining the information much easier.

Overall: Interesting book that I am glad that I listened too. I don't know that I will be doing a total wheat ban but I now understand what my friends have to look at when deciding what to eat (I have a few that actually have gluten allergies).

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When it comes to books on health and nutrition, I'm constitutionally skeptical of any author who makes sweeping claims that a particular regimen can produce miraculous results. I'm particularly dubious when the claims encompass multiple areas.
That's kind of what the author does in this book. His

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thesis is that wheat isn't wonderful thing it's cracked up to be. While wheat may have provided the foundation for agriculture, which led to the establishment of permanent settlements and, ultimately, civilization, he claims that the substance is responsible for a host of ailments.
To my surprise, I found some of his arguments convincing. For one thing, he demonstrates that modern wheat is a much different plant than the the seed-bearing grass that humans began to cultivate thousands of years ago. Even before the gene splicers at Monsanto got their hands on it, the wheat of a century ago had been hybridized so that it bore only a pale resemblance to the plant that produced the flour used to make the loaves that Jesus distributed.
He cites studies that claim that the human digestive system has never been able to properly digest gluten and other components.
I find his arguments persuasive, though I'm taking him at his word that the studies he cites are scientifically valid. My skepticism increases, though, when he makes claims (again supposedly based on legitimate scientific studies) that wheat is also responsible for a wide variety of physical and mental health ills much different from diabetes and beer bellies.
But he really grabbed my attention when he demonstrated how pervasive wheat is in the modern diet. Even if one avoids the bread aisle in the supermarket, wheat or its byproducts are pervasive in all sorts of processed foods.
I'm toying with the idea of trying to go wheat free for several months just to see what kind of change it might make in my health, weight, and energy level. I know that it would require a lot of inconvenience and discipline on my part, and that scares me.
We'll see.

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The book presented a lot of scientific evidence that wheat in our diet can cause all sorts of problems we never thought about. Davis discusses all the various diseases that wheat and gluten can cause in some people (eg. Celiac disease) but also has anecdotal stories about his own patients with

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various complaints - painful joints, high cholesterol, etc. - who he advised to try eliminating wheat totally from their diet, with amazing results. I very much enjoyed reading about those cases, and all of the scientific studies that support the author's premise. All was well until the end of the book when he got down to the nitty-gritty about how to eliminate the wheat, and at that point listed a whole bunch of other foods that you should rarely or never eat. I agree with another reviewer that the diet really only left you with unlimited nuts, cheese, eggs, meat, and vegetables. After reading this book, convincing as it was, I think while I will continue to cut back on wheat products, I'm not ready to give them up entirely. I think that extra list of verboten foods at the end shows that the author himself knows that wheat is not the only culprit, and while his diet is likely very healthy, it is not for everyone.

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I am on record as not being an advocate of all-or-nothing diets and this one is in that line. I know fully how restrictive gluten-free is, I have to live that life due to a very strenuous gluten allergy and it can be terribly hard. He confirmed my belief that there is too much gluten in things and

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that the gluten today is stronger and meaner than the gluten many years ago. Personally I belive that with the prevalence of gluten, it has become a serious issue and people are actually hurting because of it.

If you doubt that there is gluten in too many things, take a look at your lunch. You're eating crisps? May contain gluten. Chocolate? May contain gluten. That sandwich? duh. The chicken on it, check it again, can contain gluten. The mayonaise? possibly gluten. They even bulk up some coffee with barley or wheat, which contain gluten.

Do I think it's a practical diet? No.
Do I think it's for everyone? No.
Do I think some people might benefit from it? Yes
Do I think it's the panacea for all ills? No

To be honest I'm more in favour of 80/20 diets and think that people could stick to them. Completely excluding wheat/gluten/refined carbohydrate from your diet is a uphill task and while some of what he says makes sense and might be your thing, it might not.

I also have certain issues about the use of artifical sweeteners, I'm not sure about the safety.

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Some of the information was more technical than what I was looking for, but the bottom line that wheat is having a negative affect on people's health was compelling.

A very well-written and informative book. It made me both angry and thoughtful in turns. Angry because it sounded very reasonable and logical, and would ultimately mean giving a lot of foods I really enjoy to live gluten-free. And I really don't love vegetables very much.

Wheat Belly: Lose the Weight, Lose the Wheat, and Find Your Path Back to Health
William Davis, MD

Every day, over 200 million Americans consume food products made of wheat. As a result, over 100 million of them experience some form of adverse health effect, ranging from minor rashes and high blood

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sugar to the unattractive stomach bulges that preventive cardiologist William Davis calls "wheat bellies." According to Davis, that excess fat has nothing to do with gluttony, sloth, or too much butter: it's due to the whole grain wraps we eat for lunch.
After witnessing over 2,000 patients regain their health after giving up wheat, Davis reached the disturbing conclusion that wheat is the single largest contributor to the nationwide obesity epidemic─and its elimination is key to dramatic weight loss and optimal health. In Wheat Belly, Davis exposes the harmful effects of what is actually a product of genetic tinkering and agribusiness being sold to the American public as "wheat"─and provides readers with a user-friendly, step-by-step plan to navigate a new, wheat-free lifestyle.
Informed by cutting-edge science and nutrition, along with case studies from men and women who have experienced life-changing transformations in their health after waving goodbye to wheat, Wheat Belly is an illuminating look at what is truly making Americans sick and an action plan to clear our plates of this seemingly benign ingredient.
I found this book to be a fountain of information. I agreed on many points especially the engineered food that is available in the grocery store. It is true that there is a significantly different looking weight gain in this country. I am not so sure that wheat is the only cause for this. The American diet has changed significantly in the last 30 years. I would go so far as to say that wheat is a major cause but not the sole cause. Food has been engineered with corn, peas, carrots and the list could go on. You go through any organic produce section and the size is significantly smaller with every kind. Gluten intolerance is not the only problem increasing peanut allergies and nut allergies alone have increased. High Fructose Corn Syrup has replaced sugar in almost every food that once had sugar as its sweetener. I believe these have contributed equally to our problems.
The overall information presented and the diet he promotes are healthful and would impact many people lives. I do believe that the search for healthy eating is not solved by eliminating wheat alone. I find this to limiting.
The information was in depth and well researched. The information was well written and easy to understand for the most part. At times there was more information than the average person needs.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Rodale Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

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So I’m watching Forest Gump on TV and, in between, the Ads. And there’s an Ad just come on for fiber and the importance of fiber from grain products. (Just exactly what this book, Wheat Belly is talking about in terms of wheat and other whole grain products and belly fat)….and Oh Yes, it’s

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not just wheat we have to worry about!
But an eye opener of a detail I picked up on is the concept that today’s wheat is not what it was during our grandparent’s day due to several factors including gene modification. This central point of the way wheat has changed and how that change in turn affects our bodies is pretty compelling. What are the scientists and producers doing to us!!
Not to mention that we should be reading all the nutritional info on our bottles and cans and jars of food as wheat is an ingredient present in heaps if products.
If you’re a celiac this is beyond grim.

I must admit I have been toying prior to reading this book, about reducing or cutting out wheat, but the arguments in this book are clinchers.
On the other hand, can I really use zucchini strips instead of pasta when eating my Spag. Bol? According to this book not even rice noodles are safe.

Wheat Belly contains interesting meal plans if you want to change your diet, shopping lists, and other handy tidbits. The use of more protein fits in with my flirtation with the South Beach diet, and prior to that Atkins and you name it—a million other ways of eating.

Certainly this book makes a lot of sense. Particularly as one friend has avoided wheat for a number of years and swears that that has resulted in a flattened stomach and an absence of that bloated feeling. So if I may paraphrase, if you’ve ‘got that bloated feeling, Oh No, that bloated feeling,’ then this may be the book for you.
I am tempted to pursue the regime more diligently, but then I break all my New Year’s promises prior to the New Year. Here’s hoping though. I feel that even if I do half what is suggested my body will feel better for it.

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A very readable explanation of how wheat has changed in the last 40 years, its impact on our health, and what we can do about it. I learned a lot and recommend it to anyone wondering why they can't seem to get healthy while following conventional wisdom about "eating plenty of healthy whole grains."

This book starts off rather heavy handed in its premise--that wheat is largely respnsible for our nation's epidemics of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, among other maladies. While I agree that wheat plays a large role, I'm not convinced it's as large as purported by the author. The

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explanations provided by the author as to how wheat exerts its nefarious influences are sound and logical to a scientifically oriented person like myself, also an MD, and I much appreciated the physiological and biochemical details (though these were presented in a way that I feel would be accessible and interesting to the reader without a science background).

After the introduction, the author does give some more credence to other factors such as reduced physical activity, and the ready availability and heavy use of carbohydrates in the diet in the past century as playing a large role in the above problems and others, coming away a bit from the near "wheat is the only villian" assertion. However, the premise still remains that wheat is the biggest baddie, and I'm just not so sure. I do agree, as I've said, that it plays a much misunderstood and enormous role, but there are others players here.

Finally, I appreciated the organization of the chapters into various systems/disease processes affected by wheat. Also, the inclusion, at the end of the book, of guidelines for eating without wheat, as well as recipes that highlight his other reccommedations such as incorporating more nuts, cheese, eggs, some meats and fruits, and vegetables into one's diet are helpful, if one wants to put his recommendations into practice but needs some concrete ideas to begin. The recipes that feature bread like foods made with wheat alternatives, such as coconut or almond flours, instead of other possibly insulin raising wheat alternatives, are also a smart addition. Most people would probably have a very difficult time not eating bread like foods and making these types of foods is not straightforward when you are used to the methods and results that baking with gluten entails. All in all, a very interesting premise that could use closer examination in our own lives as well as further research by the scientific and medical communities.

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This book written by a medical doctor tells how bad wheat is but it is in everything we eat. It's even worse than sugar and sodium and fats! He puts his patients on wheat free diets and they immediately improve and start losing weight plus they see improvement in arthritis and diabetes. A very good

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theory but hard to follow in our busy everyday lives.

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I get it. Wheat is bad for us. And carbs are not so hotsy totsy, either. Just remind me, when going through that great life review, to ask how come I got dealt the hand that had both a latex allergy AND a wheat allergy in it? Am I allowed to say, "shit"?

I'm pretty sure I read this before, but in the previous version, the evil culprit was corn. No matter, Dr. William Davis presents a good case for wheat being the root of all evil.

I for one frequently mocked the "gluten free" crowd as less than 3% of the population exhibits any form of gluten

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intolerance. A protein found in many grains, this protein is a marker for all sorts of life-shortening problems, the chief of which is diabetes. Perhaps the author was flinging poo at the wall to see what sticks, but many of his symptoms of problems caused by wheat really hit home with me.

This book includes many case studies to support the author's case. His argument is a good one, although the outcome appears to be a rehash of the Atkins diet. Many sources of fats and protein are fine, limiting evil carbs is the goal. In my case though, I suffer from annoyingly-large "spare tire", knee pain that has been prevalent since I ran a marathon over a year ago, and frequent fatigue...all which he blames on gluten in general and wheat in particular.

I don't think I can do the total withdrawal that Davis recommends. Some of the carbs are a quality of life issue (I'm from Chicago, a life without pizza and beer is not worth living). While partial withdrawal is not recommended, I think I will now try something recommended by Timothy Ferris in his book "The Four Hour Body" and make an effort to limit my transgressions to once per week. I have about 2 months to try to lose weight and lower my H1C (indicator of long-term blood sugar) and the winter has just been impossible for my normal method of mitigating through exercise. Therefore, I'll give this a try for a few weeks and see what happens. Hopefully, I'll fit into more of my wardrobe.

My only complaint is the author's lame attempts at humor. The audio book reader had a very serious, urgent tone. Adding in quips like "there are more negative symptoms than Tiger Woods has girlfriends" just doesn't come through very well in such a grave voice.

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I prefer 'moderation in all things'. That is all.

I borrowed this book on the recommendation of a nurse I was talking to, when I told her that I was having a lot of trouble eating bread and pasta, but that a test for celiac had come back negative.

Bottom line for me: I don't know how trustworthy all of the doctor's reports are, as they're

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anecdotal*, but there's no harm in eliminating wheat from one's diet, so I'm going to give it a try and see if I feel better. If it helps with other things as well, that's fantastic.

* I recognize how difficult it is to do real, double-blind scientific studies on diet and health, because scientists can't really keep people in a lab and control what they eat, like they do with lab animals.

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The author has a point and a bunch of anecdotal evidence to back it up. It is believable rather than just giving up wheat the author actually is proposing a more radical low-carb diet than Atkins. Wheat (specifically modern genetically modified wheat) quite possibly may be a problem--the author

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makes a good case for it, but in the book all carbs get lumped together, weakening his overall point.

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I have a friend who is having health issues and one of her many doctors recommended no gluten. This seems to be a buzz word with many whether it's a health issue or not.
The more we mess with our food the more messed up this "food" becomes, and the worse our health becomes.
We have put ourselves

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into a sorry mess.

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Interesting ideas, bad writing. Repetition may work in public speaking, but its just annoying in a book.