Do You Swear to Eat the Whole Grain and Nothing but the Grain?

Things were out of control in the cereal aisle today. Seems a couple of boxes were fighting over who delivered the most whole grain per serving.

What’s all the fuss about?

A whole grain is, well, whole. Refined grains, like white flour, have been stripped of their bran and germ, and consequently, most of their fiber and nutrients. (Manufacturers “enrich” them by adding nutrients.) Three guesses as to which one’s better for you.

Whenever possible, choose whole grains. A diet high in these fiber-rich foods has been associated with lower risks of heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. One Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center study found that people who consumed an average of 2.5 servings of whole grains daily had a 21% lower risk of developing heart disease than those who ate 0.2 servings.

What is that, like three spoonfuls of cereal?