Have you had a lot on your plate lately? It certainly doesn’t feel okay if it’s a few tasks and files you need to finish, but what if it’s a plate filled with a yummy pizza, instant noodles, samosa and spring rolls? We bet it would be something you wouldn’t be able to resist. The temptation is real, we understand that. But take a moment to think which is the one thing that all these food items have in common?
The answer is maida, also known as refined flour. It may not be the first time you’d hear that maida is bad for you. After all, the word is out that maida is your body’s enemy. But have you wondered why maida has earned quite a bad reputation over the years?
Well, there are an array of reasons why maida is the culprit when it comes to giving you several health issues. Let’s dive in.
Maida is devoid of any nutrients
Do you wish to survive or live? If your answer is the latter, you certainly mean that apart from existing, you also want quality of life. Quality of life also involves leading a life that doesn’t compromise on health.
When it comes to health, you must focus on nutrition. So, here’s a news flash, food items made of maida are filled with zero nutrients. Just so you know, maida, also called refined flour, is the processed version of wheat flour. Wheat flour, which is dense with the goodness of vitamins, loses all the vitamins and minerals after processing. The final product that you have on the table is maida.
So, what good does maida do for you? Here’s your answer – nothing.
Can lead to weight gain
Weight gain is only possible when you eat more than you burn. So, it doesn’t really matter what you eat as much as how much you eat. It is for this reason that it is said that maida alone doesn’t cause weight gain.
However, you must note that maida doesn’t keep you full for long. Hence, it’s very likely that you’d binge on other food items because you’d feel hungry after a short while. And when you eat more than you burn, you’ll be storing fat. So, the takeaway here is that maida may not directly cause weight gain, but indirectly it can. So, be mindful. Watch the portions.
Can cause type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is a serious health issue that we pay little attention to. It can lead to heart attacks and strokes. So, if you are diabetic, you must control it, and if you’re not yet diabetic, you must prevent it. Turns out, your food choices play a vital role. Just so you know, foods made from maida come with a high glycemic index.
In simple words, your body will release sugar into your bloodstream quickly, spiking sugar levels and inducing a sharp insulin response, causing inflammation and type 2 diabetes in the long run.
Apart from being mindful of your nutrition choices, you must also benefit from exercising if you’re already diabetic or pre-diabetic. The right nutrition and physical activity are key to managing and preventing diabetes.
Increases bad cholesterol
Before we elaborate on that, you must note that there are two types of cholesterol, good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.
You must note that your body produces enough good cholesterol (HDL) to stay healthy. However, when you feed your body extra cholesterol by eating high-cholesterol food (bad cholesterol, LDL), problems begin to develop.
Maida is the culprit here as it raises the level of LDL in the body, causing blood pressure and blocking arteries.
Dangerous for pregnant women
Food items made of maida are composed of a harmful chemical known as Sodium Metabisulphite (SMBS), which can be dangerous for pregnant women and kids. Maida may also include Benzoic acid, which is yet another harmful ingredient for the body.
Closing thoughts
So now you know what the world conceived about maida is actually true, it’s a no-brainer that maida is the enemy. What will you do about it? Are you prepared to sacrifice maida, and disappoint your taste buds? If it’s a yes, just know, you are doing the right thing and you are about to witness some great changes in your physical and mental health.
