What is all the hoopla over whole grains?

Question

When you compare the nutritional labels on whole-grain foods vs. other carbs, the difference is very small. I expected a lot more fiber and a lot less sugar. I see a little less sugar, but very, very small differences in fiber and protein, etc. Is that all we get by eating all those whole grains? Just a tiny benefit?

Answer 1

I need to see the word “whole” on any bread, rice or pasta that I eat.

I just feel cheated if I buy the white kind because they took the fiber out to sell it somewhere else (hello, Metamucil?), hoping I would not notice!

The labels depend on the brands. One slice of bread in that loaf will be 50 calories while a slice of bread in that other loaf will be 70 calories, because they don’t weigh exactly the same. Even if you have only 2g of dietary fiber in that slice of small size whole wheat bread, it STILL TWICE as much as the white kind and every gram of fiber counts.

Find a brand you like, with the right size of slice, some whole wheat bread have more fibers than others (make sure your have the words "100% whole..." on the label.



Even without paying attention to the labels, you cannot NOT notice the big difference when you eat it.

White pasta, I keep eating eat…brown pasta, I’m always stuffed before I can finish my plate.

Same with rice and bread. I need two slices of white toasts for breakfast or only one slice of brown toast. Guess which one I’m buying?

There’s a big noticeable difference at the time you eat it…and then later…on the other side!



Sometimes, I make my own bread, and once, I did a 100% whole wheat bread and it was too fulfilling, so now I use about 1/3 of whole wheat flour and two thirds of regular bread flour.

Answer 2

Whole grain really is better for you, but some brands are better than others.



A lot of companies just put whole grains in their products so that they can say "whole grain goodness!" on the label, and then you'll want to buy them.



You definitly should check out labels and stuff, because sometimes the words on the front of the package can be extremely misleading.





Also, with things like protein and fiber, a difference of 1-2 grams may not seem like much, but it's actually a bigger difference than most people realize. All those little benefits add up!

Answer 3

Whole grains are just healthier. Not many foods have a large amount of fiber if you read labels. Therefore, whole grain breads and cereals are a very good source of getting more fiber.

Answer 4

It has to be 100% whole grain flour. The whole grain bread I buy has 6g of protein a slice, and only 2g sugar per slice. So if I eat a peanut butter sandwich I can get 16g of protein at only 300 calories. And also 4g of fiber per slice.

Answer 5

I don't know what whole grain foods you are looking at, but a lot of products will advertise as being whole grain because part of the ingredients include whole wheat flour, but often also include white flour or enriched flour. Whole grain products don't have to be low in sugar or high in protein in order to be whole grain. Whole grain just means it's high in fibre. If you want some good whole grain cereals, try Raisin Bran, Bran Flakes, or Fibre 1. Fibre 1 doesn't have sugar in it, but it does have sucralose, which according to some is just as bad as sugar.

Answer 6

If companies can sell you an old product with a new health claim, they can increase the price and you'll feel alright paying the difference because it's for your health.



What's funny is when people ate nothing but unprocessed foods hundreds of years ago the average lifespan was much shorter than it is now.



That's something to consider, even considering advances in medicine/etc.

Answer 7

whole grain is better ,but if your pregnant i suggest whole wheat.

Answer 8

Lots of tiny benefits and lead to big benefits! :D



I really don't know.

Answer 9

its still a benefit.

Answer 10

its good for you!