Whole Grains - the Staff of Life
All grains are good sources of complex carbohydrates and are low in fat. Whole grains are un-refined grains, that have the germ and bran intact, offering the best sources of fiber and nutrients such as magnesium, selenium and potassium.
Whole grains help fight belly fat which may lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes. You can snack on whole grain cereals, popcorn, crackers, baked tortilla chips and
add whole grain flour or oatmeal to cake and cookie recipes.
Whole grains can lower your risk of chronic disease such a diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diet plans such as the Mediterranean Diet and "The Whole Grain Diet Miracle" offer safe methods and delicious recipes to help you incorrupt whole grain into your diet plan.
Consume whole grains as much as possible. Good sources are brown rice, wild rice cracked wheat, oatmeal, whole wheat crackers and whole wheat bread. Check labels of processed foods for the words "whole grain" and select items with minimum of three grams of dietary fiber per serving.
Select products that list whole grain as the first ingredient on the label. Watch for tricky labeling because many rolls, breads, cereals, and crackers labeled as "made with" or "containing" whole grain does not contain whole grain as the first ingredient.
Grains are divided into two groups, whole grains and refined grains.
Whole grains include: whole wheat flour, bugler(cracked wheat), oatmeal, whole cornmeal and brown rice which all have the entire grain kernel left intact.
Refined grains include: White flour, most cornmeal, white bread and white rice. Refined grains have been processed to remove the iron, B vitamins and dietary fiber. These products are then labeled " enriched" which means a portion of the vitamins, iron and fiber are added back. However, nothing beats what "Mother Nature" has originally supplied.
Whole grain foods are best for your waistline and for all around good health.
Published by Judy Kaelin
Retired with fifteen years experience in the Administrative Offices of a school district. She is interested in writing articles based on personal experience and research of health issues. She has an intere... View profile
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