Do you know your whole grains?

Which of the following are whole grains?

A. Oatmeal
B. Bran cereal
C. Brown rice
D. 100% wheat bread
E. Corn

ANSWER: A, C and E.

If you guessed incorrectly, you aren’t alone! EatingWell recently conducted a survey, in collaboration with the USA Rice Federation, on consumer awareness of whole grains. Of the 1,000-plus survey respondents, the majority were confused as to what was and what wasn’t a whole grain. Perhaps that’s why only 10 percent of Americans get the recommended three 1-ounce servings of whole grains a day. Although wheat bread and bran cereal are healthy choices, they don’t count toward your whole-grain quota because the grains within them are no longer in their “whole” form, they’re refined. Why do whole grains matter? According to the FDA: “Diets rich in whole-grain foods and other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.”