We all keep hearing that we need to eat more whole grains, but does everyone know what they are?   It's pretty obvious they are NOT that swishy white bread that we used to make dough balls out of when we were kids (to use for bait while fishing!).    Whole grains are cereal grains that consist of the intact, ground, cracked or flaked kernel, which includes the bran, the germ and the inner most part of the kernel (endosperm).  Examples of whole grains include whole wheat, oatmeal, whole-grain cornmeal, brown rice, whole-grain barley, whole rye, and buckwheat.

When checking the ingredient list, it is best if they list the whole grain first on the list (usually the most abundant of the ingredients).  The general recommendation is to have have three one-ounce equivalents of whole grains daily to help reduce the risk of chronic disease such as heart disease and cancer.

Examples of a one ounce equivalent are:

  • 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup cooked 100% whole-grain pasta
  • 1/2 cup cooked brown rice or whole-grain barley
  • 1 regular slice of 100% whole-grain breast
  • 1 cup of whole-grain ready-to-eat cereal (flakes or rounds) or 1 1/4 cup puffed.

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Comments

seem like a nice one to try but can i use something else rather then oatmeal?

Whole grains are the best! I grew up on white rice, beans, tortillas and white bread but I had to get on the whole grains because I blew up and was SO unhealthy. Whole grains are most are all I eat now unless I am having a once a week cheat meal.

Sprouting whole grains makes them even more nutritious. Any whole grain can be sprouted and it only take a couple of days for them to sprout.Dan

There are so many benefits to eating whole grains. Whole grains are a great source of fiber. Many want to eliminate carbs in their diets but you also eliminate many health benefits that whole grains have.

I must say I absolutely love whole grain bread, it tastes so much nicer than normal bread. It has come to the point now where I can´t even eat white bread anymore.

I appreciate the more complete flavor of whole grains for sure, but I've felt a lot better (more energetic and focused) since I cut my grain consumption way down. I only eat oatmeal a few times a week and that's it. No bread, pasta, or rice.

I admit I "cut" my flour when I bake for my family as my kids always complain when I bake with 100% whole grains, but my husband and I love whole grain breads..ok, I also admit I use a bread machine -- BUT only to knead the dough. Thanks for this. Brenda