Whole grains — a key feature of the American Heart Association’s dietary recommendations — can help you be healthy. Whole grains lower your risk for heart disease and stroke, support healthy digestion and reduce risk for diabetes.
Do you think you can identify whole grains by color? Think again. Bread, for example, can be brown because of molasses or other ingredients, not necessarily because it contains whole grains. This is why it’s so important to get into the habit of reading Nutrition Facts labels. For most whole grain products, you’ll see the words “whole” or “whole grain” first on the ingredient list.
The AHA recommends choosing whole grains and products that contain at least 51% whole versus refined grains. Adding whole grains instead of refined grains is part of an overall healthy eating pattern. Try to get in three fiber-rich whole-grains every day. Be sure to include a variety of whole grains in your weekly eating plan.
