Q: How can I tell if I'm eating enough servings of whole grains?
A: Many cereals and breads are marked with statements that make them seem whole grain when they are not. Statements such as multigrain or wheat bread may sound like great whole grain choices, but they do not have to be whole grain and often have the same nutrients and fiber content as white bread.
Also, many cereals, including those that are typically considered sugared cereals, are now labeled with the claim that they are made with whole grain. This does not mean that these cereals are a good source of whole grains or that they offer high fiber content. In fact, many are still very high in sugar and offer the same nutritional value as they did before this statement was placed on the labeling.
There are two ways to check if a food is actually a healthy whole grain product. First, check the ingredients listing for whole-wheat grains or other whole grains. A whole grain product should list a whole grain or whole grain flour as the first or second item on the list. Beware, though: Wheat flour is the same as white flour—it must be whole-wheat flour.
n addition, you can check the nutrition facts of the item. The fiber content of a slice of white bread is typically around 0.6 grams, while the fiber content of whole wheat bread is about two grams per slice. If the item is low in fiber, you are generally not consuming a whole grain product.
Send your questions to the UW Dietetics and Nutrition Club at askDNC@yahoo.com.
