Starchy foods have been the staples of humans for most of their existence except perhaps in the far extremes of cold climates and during the two major ice ages. With the advent of farming, 10,000 to 12, 000 years ago humans began growing their own crops. Crops such as potatoes, legumes, corn, wheat and other grains became known as "staples" because they made up the bulk of the human diet. They could also be stored without refrigeration for long periods of time for use in times of famine. These foods contain all the nutrition the human body needs. During the late 1970's the United States developed a chart with suggestions for a healthy diet. It was known as "the food pyramid" and the bulk of the diet was plant-based with starches and other plants making up most of the pyramid. A few years ago, the pyramid was replaced with "My Plate," but again starches and other plants are dominant.
Eaten with very little sugar and without fat, starchy foods are not only healthy, but will keep you slim. They contain all the vitamins you need and will fill you up without filling you out. Athletes have known for a long time that they need carbohydrates for energy. That is why many marathon planners provide a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner before a race.
You may ask, "Don't we need meat to supply our bodies with protein?" The answer is that while meat certainly has protein, so do plant foods. Beans have almost as much protein as meat and along with other plant foods such as potatoes and grains, you can get enough protein on a starch-centered, plant-based diet. The average person only needs 40-60 grams of protein a day and most meat eating Americans eat two to three times that much. Excess protein can lead to kidney problems, gout and osteoporosis.
It can be seen over and over again that when countries become rich enough to afford meat more health problems occur and they need more and more health care. One of the best ways to reclaim your own individual health and lower the need for healthcare is by eating a healthy diet.
Please read the link below to find out more about a starch centered, plant-based diet.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/eat-starch-lose-weight_b_1723073.html
