Lately, the farmers have been busy harvesting their grain crops such as oats and wheat. I always marvel at this process as what they’re doing is directly contributing to our food sources and availability. Without their hard work, our food chain would be greatly affected. Grains are an excellent source of energy for our brain and central nervous system. The whole grains are especially beneficial for promoting heart health due the fiber content. The average American only eats about 1 serving of whole grains a day and a serving is equivalent to a slice of bread, a cup of cereal, or a 1/2 cup of rice…which means that’s not much! We recommend at least half or your grain intake to be whole grains which should be at least 3 servings.
Whole grains are unrefined meaning they have all three parts still intact. Refined grains go through a process where the bran and germ are removed, thus extending shelf life and giving them a finer taste. Since the whole grains do not go through any processing and their germ (inner layer) and bran (outer layer) are still intact, they are a better source of fiber and other essential vitamins and minerals, especially selenium, potassium, and magnesium. When selecting a whole grain product, it’s important to look at the ingredient list and select a product that’s first ingredient is “whole” such as “whole grain,” “whole wheat,” etc. If the first ingredient says refined or enriched, that means that product is truly not whole grain.
Whole grains are found in brown and wild rice, whole wheat flour, oats, popcorn, rye, and whole wheat pasta. Like I’ve mentioned before, balance is truly key to a healthy diet, so achieving a balance of whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables will not only fuel your body but will aid in disease prevention. The fiber found in whole grains is not only beneficial for heart health, but also aids in stability for blood sugars, digestive health, and satiety. Next time you go to the store, make sure you take the extra few seconds to double check your label to ensure you’re getting a whole grain product…and be sure to thank our farmers for helping harvest our food supply!
-Kelsey
