Whole Lot Of Whole Grains

Not all carbohydrates are created equally. Compared to refined carbohydrates, whole grains have many beneficial nutrients and phytochemicals, which are a variety of biologically active compounds found in plants. These are found in the outer layers of grains and are removed during the milling process used when producing refined grain products.

According to a study from the Harvard School of Public Health, which examined 74,341 women and 45,744 men, higher whole grain consumption is associated with lower mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality in men and woman in America.

Each serving of whole grains, measured as 28 grams per day, was associated with nine per cent lower CVD mortality. By substituting one serving of refined grains with one serving of whole grains daily, CVD mortality risk was lowered by eight per cent. Think about the refined grains you eat in an average day; by subbing them out for a whole grain option, you’re decreasing your risk of CVD.

What are some ways you can start incorporating more whole grains into your daily diet? Try adding a serving of whole grains into each meal. For example, have whole grain breakfast cereal to kick-start your day, a sandwich with whole-grain wheat bread for lunch or whole wheat pasta for dinner.

The study showed that whole grains are beneficial to people, regardless of factors including age, weight, physical activity and lifestyle habits – so you really can’t go wrong when eating whole grains!

For you as a wheat eater, this means consuming lots of whole grains and substituting existing sources of refined grains for whole grain options.