Americans Need to Eat More Whole Grains
- 10 years ago
Researchers have found that the amount of whole grains Americans eat is well below what’s recommended.
Researchers have found that the amount of whole grains Americans eat is well below what’s recommended.
Guidelines only call for 3 servings a day, and the grains can be found in cereals, breads, and even tortilla chips.
So, why aren’t people getting enough of them?
Some health professionals think it could be because they’re often confused with fiber.
While whole grains contain fiber, not all fiber comes from whole grains. Further, the daily requirements as well as the health benefits of each differ somewhat.
Fiber helps with gut health, while whole grains provide a defense against developing type-2 diabetes. Both are beneficial to the heart.
Another potential reason for the failure to meet daily recommendations is that specific ingredients can be tough to identify as similar product types, like bread, can vary greatly in content.
It’s recommended that consumers fully inspect the package before buying and be on the lookout for word whole, as in wheat and other grains.
Grey area words include stoneground, organic, and multigrain.
If the label says enriched, degerminated - which is usually found on corn meal, or bran, you’re definitely not on the right track.
Researchers have found that the amount of whole grains Americans eat is well below what’s recommended.
Guidelines only call for 3 servings a day, and the grains can be found in cereals, breads, and even tortilla chips.
So, why aren’t people getting enough of them?
Some health professionals think it could be because they’re often confused with fiber.
While whole grains contain fiber, not all fiber comes from whole grains. Further, the daily requirements as well as the health benefits of each differ somewhat.
Fiber helps with gut health, while whole grains provide a defense against developing type-2 diabetes. Both are beneficial to the heart.
Another potential reason for the failure to meet daily recommendations is that specific ingredients can be tough to identify as similar product types, like bread, can vary greatly in content.
It’s recommended that consumers fully inspect the package before buying and be on the lookout for word whole, as in wheat and other grains.
Grey area words include stoneground, organic, and multigrain.
If the label says enriched, degerminated - which is usually found on corn meal, or bran, you’re definitely not on the right track.