Research has shown that eating whole grains can have significant health benefits, but what exactly are whole grains? The most common grains include wheat, rice, corn, barley, oats, rye, and quinoa. Whole grain products are made with all parts of the grain- the bran, germ, and endosperm. White bread products are made without the bran and germ. Eating products made from whole grains gives you rich sources of fiber, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Some of the important benefits of whole grains include:
- They are slowly digested which can make you feel full longer if you are dieting, and they can help you maintain a healthy weight.
- If you are a diabetic, the slow digestion of whole grain products can help prevent spikes in blood sugar.
- They can help prevent type II diabetes, reduce the risk of heart disease, cut cholesterol levels, and reduce blood pressure.
Products that contain whole grains include things like cereal, bread, pasta, tortillas, and bagels. But how can you tell if a product you buy is 100% whole grain? Just because a bread is brown and not white does not mean it is whole grain. The only way to know for sure is to read the label. The first item on the ingredient list will be 100% whole grain. It will also likely have it written on the front of the packaging.
Article Source: Mary Grider, Nutrition Educator