Everyone has heard whole-grain wheat bread is much better for your body than refined white bread, but does anyone know why?
It is because of the nutrients. In order to properly function and stay healthy, your body needs certain vitamins, minerals and fiber. Antioxidants, B vitamins and cancer-fighting chemicals that come from plants are found in whole grains, along with specific minerals that your body requires like selenium and chromium. You need these things for your body to function properly. The vitamins and minerals have several great benefits such as prevention of heart disease and diabetes, in addition to aiding with weight maintenance.
So why are there so many refined grain products? It is because it is easy and cheap to process foods like pasta, bread and rice. Ever since the Industrial Revolution and the development of fast-food chains, the United States consumes more processed foods than natural whole foods, according to Alan Pressman, author of \The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vitamins and Minerals.""
Since some people are allergic to wheat or wheat germ, which are found in most whole-grain products, the enriched non-wheat products are necessary. Some refined products, such as white bread, are enriched with the vitamins and minerals the body needs, but it is difficult to replace fiber in the refined products once it has been removed.
According to Diana Schwarzbein, MD, author of ""The Schwarzbein Principle,"" it is important to ""always buy grains in their natural state and avoid eating processed grains."" The refined grains have been stripped of their nutrients, and have unnatural and unhealthy additives in them. Although fortified refined bread is better for you than non-enriched bread, it's no substitute for natural grain.
Whole grains are the newest trend in nutrition. People are talking about them, the food business is marketing them and bread is not the only product that contains these healthful nutrients. In addition to Cheerios, which are good for your heart (because of their grain content, of course), General Mills Cereal Company has recently advertised an increase of whole grains in its line of products for higher nutritional value. Other cereals, such as Total and Grape Nuts are also known for being high in fiber.
It is important to note that whole grain and fiber do not mean the same thing. Fiber is composed of cellulose-containing plant threads, which are indigestible and help keep your digestive system working properly. Whole grains do contain fiber; however, whole grains and fiber do not necessarily come hand in hand.
Cereal and bread companies are not the only ones making an effort to increase healthfulness in their grain products. Several places around campus have whole-grain options for their bread and pasta, including Jimmy John's and Subway.
Following the newest nutrition fad, Noodles & Co., 232 State St., has recently updated and added to its menu. It still offers all the same classic dishes but now has some new menu items and options. Now diners can substitute the new whole-grain fettuccine for their typical refined pasta in any dish on the menu.
Since it is becoming easier to eat healthily when you go out for a meal, don't forget that it is always simple to eat well at home if you buy the right food. It's not necessary to buy everything whole grain, but some things that are just better that way.
""Your body needs grains every day to maintain its health,"" said Sandra Brickley, R.D., founder of Stayin' Alive Inc. ""The easiest way to get your grain is through whole-wheat bread.""
Some of the most nutritious grains are Brownberry's Natural Wheat and 100-Percent Whole Wheat breads. Pepperidge Farm's Natural Whole Grain is also a good option. In addition to breads, whole-grain pastas are also available in grocery stores. Don't forget that whole grain does not equal low-carbohydrate content, but it does mean high-nutrient content.
""Natural carbohydrates are good for you in moderation because they have a lot of valuable nutrients, unlike processed grains,"" Brickley said.
Refined grain products contain empty carbohydrates with little to no nutritional value, while whole grains contain carbohydrates that provide the body with the fuel it needs to stay healthy.
""If you're dieting, it's important to limit your carbohydrate intake, but not to zero,"" said Schwarzbein. ""You should eat whole grains, and avoid man-made carbohydrates.""
