Whole Grains at Every Meal Why Whole Grains Matter, and How to Get Them Cynthia Harriman Director of Food & Nutrition Strategies Oldways & the Whole Grains Council
Why Do We Need Whole Grains?
People who eat Whole Grains reduce serious health risks risk of heart disease drops 25-36% risk of Type 2 Diabetes drops 21-27% risk of digestive cancers drops 21-43% risk of stroke drops 37%
Health Benefits of Whole Grains Controls Weight. Women and men who ate more whole grains consistently gained less weight over an 8-12 year period, in Harvard studies. Curbs Colon Cancer. Women who ate more than 4 1/2 daily servings of whole grains were one-third less apt to develop colon cancer than those who ate less than 1 1/2 servings a day, a new Swedish study finds. Defeats Diabetes. People who eat the most whole grains, especially high-fiber cereals, are 20% to 30% less likely to develop insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes, according to research from Tufts, Harvard and U. MN. USA Today, June 19, 2005
Health Benefits of Whole Grains Stops Heart Disease. Harvard investigators found that men who ate a bowl of whole-grain cereal every day cut their risk of dying of cardiovascular disease by 20%. Drops Blood Pressure. Eating a whole-grain oat cereal, such as oatmeal, every day for three months enabled 73% of those with high blood pressure to reduce or eliminate their need for medication, University of Minnesota investigators reported. Saves Lives. Older women in Iowa who ate whole grains containing 4.7g of fiber daily were 17% less like to die of any cause in an 11-year period than were women who ate refined grains, says a University of Minnesota study. USA Today, June 19, 2005
New WG Health-Benefit Studies Reduces Gum Disease. Periodontitis, a gum inflamation that is the major cause of tooth loss in adults, may be reduced by eating 3-4 servings of whole grains daily, according to a 14-year McMaster University study. Benefits Children Quickly. Overweight children, age 9-15, spent two weeks on an all-you-can-eat diet of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean protein, while exercising 2.5 hours a day. UCLA researchers reported that the children's cholesterol levels dropped an average of 21%, while insulin levels fell 30%. Cuts Triglycerides. A USDA team gave women a whole grain diet for three days, then the same foods but with refined grains in place of whole grains. Refined grains caused a significant increase in triglycerides and a worrisome protein called APO CIII," both of which have been associated with increased risk of heart disease.
2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Recommends Consume 3 or more ounce-equivalents of whole-grain products per day, with the rest of the recommended grains coming from enriched or whole-grain products. In general, at least half the grains should come from whole grains.
What Exactly IS a Whole Grain?
A Whole Grain Includes Everything Graphic courtesy Bob s Red Mill Whole grains or foods made from them contain all the essential parts and naturally-occurring nutrients of the entire grain seed. If the grain has been processed (e.g., cracked, crushed, rolled, extruded, lightly pearled and/or cooked), the food product should deliver approximately the same rich balance of nutrients that are found in the original grain seed.
A Whole Grain Includes Everything Vitamin E Vitamin B6 Vitamin K Magnesium Manganese Riboflavin (B2) Niacin (B3) Fiber Zinc Potassium Thiamine (B1) Iron Phosphorus Copper Sodium Pantothenic Acid Calcium Selenium Fat Folate Protein Calories 7% 13% 16% 16% 18% 19% 20% 22% 24% 26% 27% 30% 31% 38% 40% 43% 44% 48% 52% 59% 75% whole wheat 100% 93% 107% 120% 230% 176% Refining whea t flour removes the bran and germ, decreasing essential nutrients to levels ranging from 7% (Vitamin E) to 59% (F ola te) of the level na turally occuring in whole whea t while increasing calorie density. Enriching whea t flour adds back five of these nutrients, in amounts different from their levels in whole grain flour. All other nutrients in enriched flour stay a t the level sho wn by the black bars. 416% 2004 Oldways/. All values from USDA Nutrient Database, SR 17, 2004.
List of Whole Grains The following, when consumed in a form including the endosperm bran, and germ, are examples* of generally accepted whole grain foods and flours: Amaranth Barley Buckwheat Corn, including whole cornmeal & popcorn Millet Oats, including oatmeal Quinoa Rice, both brown rice and colored rice Rye Sorghum (also called milo) Teff Triticale (a wheat/rye hybrid) Wild rice Wheat, including varieties such as spelt, emmer, farro, einkorn, Kamut, durum and forms such as bulgur, cracked wheat and wheatberries
So How Do We Find Whole Grains?
In Stores: Trust the Stamp An easy-to-spot symbol on foods with a half serving or more of whole grain
The Whole Grain Stamp Grams of whole grain per labeled serving Check the website for more Info on whole grains The Basic Stamp
The Whole Grain Stamp 100% mark added, if all the grain Is whole grain; there is NO refined grain The 100% Stamp
The Whole Grain Stamp Compare the gram number to the minimum you need every day. on all Stamps EAT 48g OR MORE OF WHOLE GRAINS DAILY
The Whole Grain Stamp Different Numbers on Every Product EAT 48g OR MORE OF WHOLE GRAINS DAILY EAT 48g OR MORE OF WHOLE GRAINS DAILY Basic Stamp at least 8g (1/2 serving) of WG 100% Stamp NO refined grain AND at least 16g (1 serving) of WG
Stamps on All Kinds of Foods breads cereals crackers cookies grains flour waffles muffins chips tortillas baking mixes English muffins beverages snack bars popcorn pasta pretzels cakes
In Restaurants: Just Ask! May I have brown rice instead? A bowl of oatmeal, please. How about whole grain pizza crust? Turkey on a whole grain bun for me. I ll have your bulgur pilaf, thanks. One whole grain bagel, to go. Whole grain pasta for me, please.
Who s Doing What Premium Chicken Sandwiches have a bun with 8g of whole grain. Whole grain linguini available as an option in any pasta dish. Smart Eating Menu includes brown rice pilaf, whole grain tortillas. Whole grain baguette, whole grain loaf and whole grain miche offered.
Who s Doing What Brown rice offered as an option with all meals, also at Pei Wei s. Whole grain penne available as an option in any pasta dish. HealthMex burritos are served on whole grain tortillas. Brown rice, whole wheat wraps and soba noodles available.
In Restaurants Restaurant List maintains a list of major restaurants offering whole grain options. Check the list at www.wholegrainscouncil.org. Healthy Dining Finder Website Another website, www.healthydiningfinder.com, helps find healthy choices at restaurants across the country, too.
Every Little Bit Helps Try some of these ideas today! Buy three different loaves of whole-grain bread and taste all of them. Try some whole-wheat pasta. Have popcorn or whole wheat crackers as a snack. Serve bulgur instead of potatoes one night this month. On the weekend, try cooking steel-cut oatmeal. Make pizza with whole wheat pita as the crust. Bake your favorite cookies with whole wheat flour. Serve hamburgers with whole wheat buns.
Helping Americans make half (or more!) of their grains whole. www.wholegrainscouncil.org