Looking for more information on whole foods? If so, you have stumbled on the right place. As nutrition professionals say, people young and old should consume a minimum of three servings of whole foods every day. To find out why, keep reading this article. In the article we will investigate precisely what whole grains are, why they are so important in our daily diet and with which foods they should be combined.
For those of you who are unclear, let’s start by defining what whole foods are. Whole foods are those food products that are created from a whole grain seed, generally known as a grain. This grain is made up of three things: bran, germ, and endosperm. Whole grain products can be recognized by studying the list of ingredients of the food. If a food is whole grain, it will have “whole wheat,” “whole flour,” or “whole corn” as the first ingredient. As stated in FDA regulations, any food with less than 51% whole grains should not be labeled as a whole grain food. Sliced bread, bagels, omelettes, and English muffins are popular types of whole-grain bread. Other foods that may contain whole grains include whole wheat pasta, brown rice, popcorn, and whole oatmeal.
As stated above, nutritionists suggest that we eat at least 3 servings of whole foods per day. A single serving of whole grain is equal to 1 piece of 100% whole grain bread, one cup of whole grain cereal, or ½ cup of cooked pasta or rice. Why are we encouraged to eat 3 servings of whole grains every day? Whole grains provide people with both vitamins and minerals, along with high levels of numerous plant-based nutrients. Research has revealed that the more whole grains a person consumes, the less likely they are to experience risk of heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. For people who are concerned about their weight, whole grains have also been shown to improve weight loss.
For the greatest health benefits, whole foods should be combined with fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and nutritious fats (such as coconut oil, avocado, and extra virgin olive oil). Whenever you can, avoid processed foods, soy, sugars, meats and dairy products in large quantities. Foods that are processed or contain refined chemicals or sugars can be dangerous to your health.
The benefits of eating whole foods are endless. Increasing the amount of whole grain foods you eat daily will provide you with essential vitamins and minerals, lower your risk of a wide variety of health conditions, and even aid in weight loss treatments. Try to keep in mind that whole foods are best eaten with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Create your whole grain diet plan now and start your healthy lifestyle!