Nutrition 101 Part 5: Whole Grains and Diet with Joan OKeefe

Registered Dietitian, Joan O'Keefe discusses the health benefits of whole grain, as well as some tips on how to regulate caloric intake when on a weight loss plan. O'Keefe describes whole grain as a great way for people who are looking to up their caloric intake (athletes, growing children and injured or sick people) to do so in a healthy manner. Whole grains, O'Keefe explains, are cereal grains that contain bran, germ and endosperm. Common whole grains include wheat, oat, barley, brown rice and rye. People who are trying to lose weight should consider a breakfast of an egg white, tomato, bell pepper, onion and mushroom omelet. When considering whether to include a whole grain piece of toast in that breakfast, you should eat the omelet and then ask yourself, "am I still hungry?" If the answer is no, leaving the piece of toast out of your breakfast will save you from taking in unnecessary extra calories.