Getting Granular on Whole Grains
The very name of the conference is derived from recommendations made in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a joint effort of the Departments of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA). As part of a balanced diet, the federal government recommends three or more servings of whole grains a day for ages nine and older.
Sounds easy enough, right? But as I listened to the many speakers (representing science, industry, media and nutrition, to name just a few) present their findings about public consumption and perception of whole grains, I found myself saying out loud: Now wait a second; how many of us not in this room actually know what a whole grain is to begin with? What makes it whole versus refined? And can the average person name three commonly known whole grains, let alone eat them on a daily basis?
Let's backtrack for a moment and define "whole grain": Whole is the clue here, an indication that all three components of a grain seed or kernel are intact -- the bran, germ and endosperm. When one of these components is removed from the triumvirate, the grain is considered refined.
Examples of whole grains that you may already have in your cupboard are: Popcorn, rolled oats, oatmeal, brown rice, rye and various forms of wheat, including bulgur and spelt.
And then there are whole-grain products that work as ingredients, such as whole wheat, graham or rye flour.
Finally, there are ready-to-eat whole-grain products -- bread, cookies, breakfast cereal, pasta and snacks -- which now are labeled as such if they meet the standards of the Whole Grain Council (some 2,500 products in stores now wear this label).
Perhaps now we can return to the original question: Where do whole grains fit into your life and are you getting the daily recommended three servings?
I will continue this series in small chunks over the next several weeks to help get everyone up to speed on what constitutes a whole grain and what does NOT. It seems we all could use some brushing up on this topic, including yours truly.
By Kim ODonnel |
April 23, 2009; 9:50 AM ET
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