Whole Wheat, Made with Whole Wheat, Whole Grain and Other Confusing Terms

Current guidelines recommend the intake of 48 grams of whole grain per day but since listing whole grain grams on the label is not required how do you know if you are getting that much or even if you are eating whole grains?

The best way to know if you are eating whole grain breads or pasta is to check the ingredient list. When you look at the ingredient list look for the words whole wheat flour, whole grain flour or whole oats.

If the ingredient list indicates the use of wheat or another type of flour the product is not 100% whole grain. A product that lists whole wheat, or another grain, and also the presence of wheat or another type of flour is classified as a product that is made with whole grains.

For more help knowing how to recognize whole grains and how to use them in your daily menus; check out these resources.

http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/files/WhatIsAWholeGrain.pdf
http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/files/WholeGrainsADAFactSheet.pdf

In addition to breads and pasta whole grains like quinoa, barley and spelt can be added to your menus as side dishes or the base for beans, stir fry and other entrees. Start boosting your whole grain intake by adding a new whole grain each week until at least half your grain intake is whole grains.