How to Buy the right whole grain

With all the manufacturers trying to use the whole grain phrase to lure you in, it can be confusing to buy the right ones. From the sugar cereals to pastas and breads, you have to wonder just what to really look for to choose the right healthy whole grains.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Here are some things to look for when choosing.
   
   Make sure the first ingredient listed should include the word whole, such as whole wheat, whole oats, whole rye, etc.
   You can also look for the first ingredient to be oatmeal, brown rice, bulgur, graham flour, whole grain corn.
   
   At least two grams of fiber per serving not 2 grams in the entire box or package.

2. Look for an FDA regulated claim on the package which says whole grains reduce the risk of heart disease. These are the products you want to buy because in order to place this on the package the item has to be at least 51% whole grain.

3. The following are items you want to avoid.
   
   Products stating multigrain, stone-ground or simply 100% wheat. Although they may all sound good, they may not contain whole grains you want.
   
   Color - Color is not a good indicator at all. For instance you may choose wheat bread because of the color it is, however it can be colored by items like molasses and not whole grains.

4. So next time you do your shopping check the label and see if you are indeed getting the whole grain you want, or a trick the manufacturers are using to make you buy their product.

[NightowlMama]

on 3/8/2009 Thanks I was looking at the speggetti the other day and wondering.