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List of Whole Grain Foods and Whole Grains Benefits


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This list of whole grain foods and whole grains benefits can help you be much healthier – IF you start adding more whole grains to your diet.

That's because even the short list of whole grain benefits is impressive.
  • Whole grains are low in fat.
  • They can help you to lose weight.
  • You can eat them in a variety of ways.
  • They're excellent sources of nutrition and fiber.
  • And whole grain foods can protect you from diseases.
There are many different kinds of whole grains grown all around the world. But here are some of the best-known and most nutritious whole grains and whole grain foods that you can find in grocery or health food stores.

List of Whole Grain Foods

Listed nutrient grams are for ¼ cup of dry whole grains (unless otherwise noted). See list of high fiber foods and the food calorie chart for cooked varieties. And look for bread and cracker information on packages.

Whole Grain
 Calories
 Protein (g)
 Carbs (g)
Amaranth 180
 7
 31
Barley Flakes
 83 3 24
Barley, Hulled
 176 5 39
Buckwheat 146 6 30
Couscous 180
 7
 31
Millet
 150 3 24
Oats, Rolled
 98 5 39
Oats, Steel Cut
 170 6 30
Quinoa
 120
 7
 31
Rice, Brown, Basmati
 140 3 24
Rice, Brown, Long Grain
 160 5 39
Rice, Brown, Medium Grain
 160 6 30
Rice, Brown, Short Grain
 180
 7
 31
Rice, Wild
 160 3 24
Rye
 160 5 39
Spelt
 130 6 30
Wheat, Bulgur
 150
 7
 31
Wheat, Durum
 163 3 24
Wheat, Hard Red
 160 5 39
Wheat, Soft Red
 139 6 30
Wheat, Kernels
 160
 7
 31
Whole Wheat Pasta (3/4 cup)
 180
 7
 35

What are Whole Grains?

Whole grains are the whole seeds of plants. They include the bran (an outer layer which contains most of the fiber), the germ (the part from which new plants sprout that contains many important nutrients) and the endosperm (the largest part of the seed, but it offers little nutrition).

Wheat Kernel

For millions of years, humans ate whole grains straight from the plant stalk. This gave them a rich package high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, healthy fats, enzymes and hundreds of other valuable phytonutrients.

But the late 19th century Industrial Revolution changed our grains.

Modern milling strips away both the bran and germ, along with all the healthy oils that need refrigeration to keep from spoiling. This makes grains easier to store and gives them a much longer "shelf life." But besides all the fiber and oils, wheat loses 90% of vitamin E and half it's B vitamins.

The refining process also smashes the endosperm into tiny bits, which turns wheat into fluffy fine flour to make light airy breads and pastries.

But we pay a high health price for these high glycemiccarbohydrates.

What Whole Grains Benefits Can Do For You

More and more studies show that returning to whole grains and other unprocessed carbohydrates can improve our health in many ways.
  • Whole grains help to prevent constipation,
  • Reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease,
  • Offers protection against some forms of cancer,
  • Helps protect you from developing type 2 diabetes,
  • And eating more whole grains helps you to live longer.
Whole grain foods don't contain just one magical ingredient that can fight disease and improve your health. It's the entire wholesome package working together that gives you all these valuable whole grain benefits.

Articles you may also enjoy:
Secrets of Health from the Healthiest People
High Fiber Food Chart Ranking Fiber Sources
Vegetables List with Vegetable Nutrition Facts

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Posted in: Diet & Nutrition
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