The Health Benefits of Eating Whole Grain Foods

August 25, 2009 Filed Under: Food News

Health studies have shown that people who eat a diet rich in whole grains have a lower risk of diabetes and that whole grain foods can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Reading the names of the healthy parts of the whole grains is about as fun as reading the dictionary. Terms such as antioxidants (useful chemicals against aging), lignans (a chemical found in the cell walls of plants that has been associated with reduced risks of breast cancer), phenolic acids (plant metabolites which have been found to be natural and powerful antioxidants), phytoestrogens (found to be helpful in reducing risks of cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular problems) are all found in whole grains. All the scientific jargon may be confusing, but the bottom line is clear: whole grains should be a key part of our daily diet.

What Our Body Needs

We want to believe in our modern and sophisticated society that natural means better; we see many brands at the market that claim to be natural, knowing the appeal that the word has for most people. They however add all kinds of chemicals that that harm our body and destroy all the healthy properties of whole grain food. Wheat is perhaps the most important component of our daily diet, and yet we refine it to the point where all its nutritious properties have been destroyed. Because whole wheat bread takes longer to digest (fibers), we feel sated (full) more quickly, thus eating less calories. Our sugar levels do not spike because carbs are assimilated very slowly. Finally, whole wheat and other whole grains are 100% natural and that’s what our body requires.

Wheat VS Whole Grain

Some people wonder about the definition of whole grain vs. whole wheat: Whole wheat is whole grain because it has the essential components which are the bran, the endosperm and the germ.

Now if you are going to bake bread with whole wheat flour, you might find the results a bit too coarse. We therefore suggest you buy White Whole Wheat flour which is made from a different type of wheat, but with all the ingredients of whole grain. You could also mix a low percentage of white refined flour (20%) with the regular whole wheat flour and still obtain a healthy product.

You can bake all kinds of delicious things with whole wheat flour. From muffins to cookies, the list is endless. Giving the kids their daily ration of whole wheat will not only keeps them healthy but also teaches them to have a healthy diet.

Putting it Together

Do not forget to combine whole wheat products with the other essential and healthy nutrients that form the perfect diet. Milk (low fat) products, Meats (lean cuts) and Beans, Vegetables and Fruits can accompany whole wheat products very easily. You can combine whole wheat cereals at breakfast with fruit and milk. Whole wheat bread can join meat and vegetables for lunch (sandwiches), while whole wheat tacos add zest to fish, chicken, beans and vegetables for dinner. Do not forget to vary the menu of whole wheat food so as to satisfy the kids’ needs for variety (and the husband’s too).

Add more wheat to your diet with a delicious organic pancake mix and organic wheat berries.