The Role Grains Play In A Well Balanced Diet

Why are whole grains beneficial to your diet? Whole grains are still referred to under the category of carbohydrates. Grains contain complex carbohydrates ideal for a healthy diet. Complex carbohydrates supply our body with the needed energy for every day’s activity. The energy utilized by our brain and nervous system is being supplied by carbohydrates. To keep our nervous system healthy, an adequate amount of carbohydrates should be taken daily.

Why You Should Choose Whole Grains Over Refined Ones?

There are generally two types of grains available. One is refined, while the other is whole grain. Refined grains have undergone a lot of milling process. In the said process, a lot of its fiber content and nutrition have already been removed. Whole grains, on the other hand, are very high in fiber, and thus offering more health benefits. The role of fiber in the body is as follows:

• Lowers cholesterol and blood pressure level
• Aids in normal excretion process and prevents constipation and diverticulitis
• Lowers blood sugar level
• Prevents one from overeating
• Lowers the risk of several heart disease

Whole-wheat grains also contain higher concentration of several essential nutrients such as iron. It is the only non-animal source where we can get the most iron. It is also rich in B-vitamins, which is essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system. Whole grains are also packed with thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. They are also known to be a good source of selenium (which functions to protect the cells in our body), and magnesium, which is vital for bone building.

Read and Check Food Labels

When shopping for your carbohydrate goodies, make sure to read the nutrition label to make sure that you are getting ones containing whole grains. Whole-wheat products are listed simply as whole wheat in the list of ingredients. Ascertain that it is listed among the first five ingredients, as nutrition packages often list the ingredients according to its content in the food item. Refined wheat products are often referred to as white enriched or bleached wheat flour. Some manufacturers also refer refined flour as wheat. So better check the labels twice for whole-wheat ingredients to ensure that you are really consuming fiber-filled whole grains.

Add More Whole Grains to Your Diet

There are several ways to apt up your whole grain intake. One way is to prefer eating brown rice over white rice. Instead of using breadcrumbs, use crushed oatmeal to achieve that crispy texture. You should also ditch white bread; and go for whole wheat or rye bread.