What is whole grain?
Looking for more information on whole foods? If so, you have come across the right place. As nutrition professionals claim, young and old should consume a minimum of three servings of whole foods every day. To find out the reasons, continue reading this article. Within the article we will investigate precisely what whole grains are, the reason why they are so important in our daily diet and with what foods they should be combined.
For the people who aren’t clear, let’s start by defining what whole foods are. Whole foods are those food products that are created from a whole seed, generally known as a grain. This grain is made up of three things: bran, germ, and endosperm. Whole grain products can be recognized by studying the ingredient list of foods. If a food is whole, it will have “whole wheat”, “whole wheat” or “whole corn” as its first ingredient. As outlined in FDA regulations, any food with less than 51% whole grains should not be labeled as a whole food. Sliced bread, bagels, tortillas, and English muffins are popular types of whole grain breads. Several other foods that may contain whole grains are whole wheat pasta, brown rice, popcorn, and whole oats.
As mentioned above, nutritionists suggest that we consume at least 3 servings of whole foods per day. A single serving of whole grains is equal to 1 piece of 100% whole grain bread, a cup of whole grain cereal, or ½ cup of cooked pasta or rice. Why are we encouraged to eat 3 servings of whole grains every day? Whole grains provide people with both vitamins and minerals, along with high levels of numerous plant-based nutrients. Research has revealed that the more whole grains a person consumes, the less likely they are to experience risk of heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. For people who are concerned about their weight, whole grains have also been shown to enhance weight loss.
For the most health benefits, whole foods should be combined with fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and nutritious fats (such as coconut oil, avocados, and extra virgin olive oil). Whenever you can, avoid processed foods, soybeans, sugars, meats, and large amounts of dairy products. Processed foods or foods made up of chemicals or refined sugars can be dangerous to your health.
The benefits of eating whole foods are endless. Increasing the amount of whole foods you eat on a daily basis will provide you with essential vitamins and minerals, reduce your risk for a wide variety of health conditions, and even aid in weight loss treatments. Try to keep in mind that whole foods are best eaten with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Create your whole grain diet plan now and start your healthy lifestyle!
