Exploding Food Myth 7. Wholemeal foods help reduce weight

(Photo: BBC - Good Food)

No foodstuff of any kind, in and of itself, can reduce weight by themselves. Wholemeal flour and cereal have almost the same amount of calories as their non-wholemeal, refined counterparts. The difference is in the fibre and minerals they contain - which is why they are recommended in a healthy diet. The fibre has a 'filling' effect, which stops us from eating more quantity of other foods in a meal, and which is evidently where the 'thinning' effect is. Fibre also helps in minimizing constipation, another 'thinning' effect, and a healthy habit at that. (See Exploding Food Myth 6)