Benefits of Whole Grains

Research has shown that eating whole grains instead of refined grains can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 Diabetes. Whole grains also fill you up more and keep you feeling fuller for longer, preventing you from reaching for those unhealthy snack foods that you know you should avoid.

But how can you tell which foods that have the words “whole grain” on the label are actually whole grains? Some products claiming to be “whole grain” also contain refined flour and added sugar. If the ingredients list contains any of the following ingredients, you know the product is not 100% whole grain:

• wheat
• enriched wheat flour
• semolina
• durhum wheat
• rice
• oat flour

Here are the ingredients to look for as an indication that the food is probably fully whole grain:

• whole wheat
• whole-grain corn
• whole-grain brown rice
• quinoa
• bulgar
• whole oats
• rolled oats

As a final tip, look for the “100% whole grain” stamp on the packaging. This stamp is a trustworthy way to know that the product contains only whole grains.