Know Your Whole Grains continued...
And avoid products that say "refined" whole wheat. Again, that's not a true whole grain and much of the health benefit has been stripped out by processing.
One simple way to find whole grains is to look for the FDA-approved health claim that reads, "In a low fat diet, whole grain foods may reduce the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancers." This is found on whole-grain products that contain at least 51% whole-grain flour (by weight) and are low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
General Mills and the Whole Grains Council have submitted a petition to the FDA to require consistency in labeling of whole grains. These groups are suggesting that a whole-grain stamp be placed on products that provide either "good" servings (8-15 grams of whole grain) or "excellent" servings (16 or more grams of whole grain). The whole-grain stamp is already showing up on packages, making it easy to select whole-grain products. Eat three "excellent" or six "good" servings daily to meet national guidelines.
Making smart carbohydrate choices is an easy way to add a layer of health insurance to your life. Whole grains are packed with many healthy nutrients, including carbohydrates, protein, fiber, B vitamins, antioxidants, vitamin E, and trace minerals (iron, zinc, copper and magnesium).
Research demonstrating the health benefits of whole grains is the backbone of health recommendations. A diet rich in whole grains has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer. Whole-grain diets also improve bowel health; they help maintain regular bowel movements and promote growth of healthy bacteria in the colon.
Just because a product is made from whole grain does not suggest that it is nutritious. Sugared cereals made with whole grain are not suddenly considered health food.
"Consumers need to read the label and select cereals based on the whole-grain content and amount of sugar it contains. The less sugar, the better," says whole-grain expert Joanne Slavin, PhD, RD, professor of food science and nutrition from the University of Minnesota. "Less dense products such as puffed or flaked cereal are lighter by nature and will have less fiber than denser cereals."