Why is wheat flour healthier than white flour?
Whole wheat flour is much more nutritious than white flour. White flour has been milled so that most of the germ and bran have been removed, leaving only the endosperm. This process removes about 80 percent of the nutrients that are present in whole wheat flour. White flour has only trace amounts of fiber, vitamin B, and vitamin E. This flour was originally so nutritionally empty that in 1943 the United States government mandated that white flour must be enriched with thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. In 1998 the government also stated that folate must also be added to white flour. White flour with these additions is labeled as "enriched." However, even after all these additions this enriched white flour is nowhere near as nutritious as whole wheat flour. Many nutrients that are lost during production, such as fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, protein, zinc and copper, are never added back to the flour. White flour is also often subjected to potentially unhealthy chemicals that whiten and mature the flour. Because of its additional nutrients, whole wheat flour has more health benefits than white flour. The fiber present in the flour helps to keep the gastrointestinal tract functioning normally and may help prevent more serious problems such as colon cancer, diverticulosis, and hemorrhoids. Whole wheat flour may also reduce the risk for diabetes and coronary artery disease. It also contains healthy phytochemicals, including antioxidants, which may help ward off cancer.
What do I substitute for flour?
My dad is having his 40th birthday tomorrow and I wanted to make him a cake or muffins or some type of dessert thing. But we don't have any flour, baking soda or powder... all those kind of leavening agents... I have eggs but do they rise? If you know any substitutes for them please tell me
What are the benefits & drawbacks of a vegetarian diet? Any vegetarian (Semi, vagan, lacto-ovo & more)?
This really depends on how educated you are. Becoming a vegetarian/vegan/pescitarian does not mean that you eat cheese pizza and potato chips. I have been an ovo/lacto vegetarian my entire life and you have to be aware of your health and nutrition just as you would if you were an omnivore. I eat all fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, good oils, nuts, beans, free range eggs, non-homogenized milk...etc. Health and nutrition is about balancing your diet, not eating "one way" and becoming obssesive about that one way. No matter what diet you're eating you'll still have to be aware of what you're consuming. For instance, there are "vegetarian" dinners in the frozen section that I wouldn't eat because they're made with high-fructose corn syrup and bleached, refined, white flour. I suggest you do research on nutrition and what the body requires before you make a dietary change that includes removal of entire food groups. Once you understand your nutritional needs you'll be better equipped to make a choice regarding your diet:-). Good luck!