Are you starting to see a change in what you are hearing about grains?
After years of refined (low-fiber) grain products filling the grocery store shelves, smart manufacturers are beginning to turn the tide back to providing a few more healthier, less processed grains.
With the low-carb diets, Americans were alerted to the fact that they were over-consuming starchy foods, especially low-fiber grains.
The additional calories from eating extra servings of refined grains and lack of fiber in these foods has contributed to growing waistlines.
This is based on the idea that fiber can help reduce the negative effect of excessive carbs found in a food.
"Processed whole grains" (such as rolled oats or whole wheat flour), have been crushed or ground but still contain all the natural goodness of the whole grain.
"Enriched grains" are those that have been refined but have a few nutrients added back, such as niacin, iron, thiamin, folate, and riboflavin.
"Multigrain" means that the product contains a variety of grains (such as wheat, rice, rye, etc.).
Whole grains contain not only fiber, but also vitamin E, potassium, trace minerals, and other nutritive substances important to health.
Over a day's time, this could mean you take in fewer calories and also have better energy levels.
Fiber has also been shown to help control blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels (as in diabetes, insulin resistance, and hypoglycemia).
Since fiber produces bulk, it exercises the muscles of the intestines, keeping them fit.
Pamela Stuppy, MS, RD, LD, is a registered, licensed dietitian with nutrition counseling offices in York, Maine and at Whole Life Health Care in Newington.