
How much of your grains should be whole grain each day?
For a 2,000-calorie diet, the USDA recommends a total of 6 ounces of grains each day. One ounce is about a slice of bread, or 1/2 cup of rice or pasta. This means that you need 3 ounces or more of whole grains per day.
How much whole grain should you eat a day?
The challenge is to include whole grains in at least one meal or snack every single day, choosing from the variety of wholegrain foods available. In the US it's recommended that you eat at least three 16g servings of whole grains per day - 48g in total.
How much whole grain should you have a day?
To be a whole-grain serving,the product you eat has to have at least 16 grams of a whole grain. The Dietary Guidelines recommends that Americans consume at least 3 servings of whole-grain foods daily, which adds up to 48 grams of whole grain.
How many servings of grain should you have per day?
- Vegetables — 2 to 3 cups
- Fruits — 1½ to 2 cups
- Grains — 5 to 8 ounces
- Dairy — 3 cups (fat-free or low-fat)
- Protein foods — 5 to 6½ ounces
- Oils — 5 to 7 teaspoons

How much whole grain is too much?
The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released in January 2020, recommend that all adults eat at least half their grains as whole grains – that's at least 3 to 5 servings of whole grains. Even children need 2 to 3 servings or more. Recommendations in Canada's Food Guide are almost exactly the same.
What is a serving size of whole grains?
A serving is considered 16 grams of whole grain (ingredient) in a whole grain product. Some exact serving sizes of whole grain foods are: 1/2 cup cooked brown rice, 100% whole grain pasta, oatmeal, or other cooked grain; 1 slice 100% whole grain bread; or 1 ounce of 100% whole grain cereal.
What happens when you eat whole grains every day?
Replacing refined grains with whole grains and eating at least 2 servings of whole grains daily may help to reduce type 2 diabetes risk. The fiber, nutrients, and phytochemicals in whole grains may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism and slow the absorption of food, preventing blood sugar spikes.
Is oatmeal a whole grain?
But regardless of which you choose, Slavin says all types of oatmeal are considered whole grains, and all should be more or less equal in terms of their basic nutritional properties. In other words, all kinds of oatmeal are healthy, experts say—with some caveats.
What is 2 servings of grains?
One slice of bread (weighing 35g) is considered one Grain Product serving in Canada's Food Guide, so if you eat a sandwich with two slices of bread at lunch, those two slices would count as two “servings” of grain products.
What is a serve of grains?
A serve of grain (cereal) foods is 500kJ which is: 1 slice (40g) bread. ½ medium (40g) roll or flat bread. ½ cup (75-120g) cooked rice, pasta, noodles, barley, buckwheat, semolina, polenta, bulgur or quinoa. ½ cup (120g) cooked porridge.
What are some examples of whole grains?
Make at least half the grains in your diet whole grains. You can find whole-grain versions of rice, bread, cereal, flour and pasta at most grocery stores....Examples of whole grains include:Barley.Brown rice.Buckwheat.Bulgur (cracked wheat)Millet.Oatmeal.Popcorn.Whole-wheat bread, pasta or crackers.
How many oz of whole grain is in oatmeal?
1 ounceOunce-Equivalent of Grains TableOUNCE EQUIVALENT OF GRAINS When available, choose whole grain versions.Amount that counts as 1 ounce-equivalent (oz-equiv) of grainsOatmeal½ cup, cooked 1 packet instant 1 ounce (⅓ cup), dry (regular or quick)Pancakes1 pancake (4½" diameter) 2 small pancakes (3" diameter)20 more rows
What Are Grains?
There are two types of grains: whole grains and refined grains. Common grains include oatmeal, white rice, brown rice, popcorn, barley, buckwheat, and, of course, wheat. A grain in its whole form includes three parts: the bran, germ, and endosperm.
How many ounces of cereal is considered one serving?
6-8 ounce equivalents. Women, ages 19+. 5-6 ounce equivalents. Men, ages 19+. 6-8 ounce equivalents. (Source: USDA ChooseMyPlate.gov) A one-ounce equivalent of grains is considered to be about one serving of a grain food, such as one slice of bread or one cup of cereal.
What grains do not contain gluten?
Grains that do not contain gluten include corn, buckwheat, amaranth, millet, quinoa, rice, and some others. The USDA recommends that 45% to 65% of calories come from carbohydrates. 4 If you are considering a low- or no-carb diet, you may want to consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian.
What are the two types of grains?
There are two types of grains: whole grains and refined grains. Common grains include oatmeal, white rice, brown rice, popcorn, barley, buckwheat, and, of course, wheat. A grain in its whole form includes three parts: the bran, germ, and endosperm.
What are grain based foods?
Grain-based foods include anything made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain such as bread products, crackers, cakes, bagels, tortillas, and grits . Grain and grain-based foods are generally considered carbs, although they may also provide some fat and protein.
Why is fiber not added to enriched grains?
However, fiber is not added back to enriched grains so that they maintain a fine texture. Refined and enriched grain products provide the body with quick energy as they are broken down faster than whole grains in the body. However, this means you may feel hungry more quickly than when eating a fiber-rich grain.
What is refined grain?
Refined grains are those that have been processed or milled to remove the bulky bran and germ. The result is a food that has a finer texture that may be more visually appealing to many consumers. These foods generally last longer, as well.
Government Recommendations
The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released in January 2020, recommend that all adults eat at least half their grains as whole grains – that’s at least 3 to 5 servings of whole grains. Even children need 2 to 3 servings or more. Recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide are almost exactly the same.
Whole Grains at Every Meal
In the U.S., the 2020 Dietary Guidelines recommend meeting the daily requirement by eating three “ounce-equivalents” of breads, rolls, cereals or other grain foods made with 100% whole grains, or six “ounce-equivalents” made with an equal mix of whole and refined grain.
Every Little Bit Helps
While three or more servings each day will optimize your health benefits, scientists and health experts agree that every bit of whole grain you eat contributes to your health. Even small amounts can start you on the road to better health. So look for ways to get a little here, a little there.
Why is it important to eat grains, especially whole grains?
Eating grains, especially whole grains, provides health benefits. People who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Grains provide many nutrients that are vital for the health and maintenance of our bodies.
What are the minerals in grains?
Whole grains are sources of magnesium and selenium. Magnesium is a mineral used in building bones and releasing energy from muscles. Selenium protects cells from oxidation. It is also important for a healthy immune system.
What are the grains in the food group?
What foods are in the Grains Group? Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, grits, and tortillas are examples of grain products. Foods such as popcorn, rice, and oatmeal are also included in the Grains Group. Grains are divided into 2 subgroups: Whole ...
What are the two subgroups of grains?
Grains are divided into 2 subgroups: Whole Grains and Refined Grains. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel ― the bran, germ, and endosperm. Examples of whole grain s include whole-wheat flour, bulgur (cracked wheat), oatmeal, whole grain cornmeal, and brown rice. Refined grains have been milled, a process that removes the bran and germ.
How many cups of cereal equals 1 ounce?
In general, 1 slice of bread, 1 cup of ready-to-eat cereal, or ½ cup of cooked rice, cooked pasta, or cooked cereal can be considered as 1 ounce-equivalent from the Grains Group. The table below lists specific amounts that count as 1 ounce-equivalent of grains towards your daily recommended intake.
Is fiber added to enriched grains?
Fiber is not added back to enriched grains. Check the ingredient list on refined grain products to make sure that the word "enriched" is included in the grain name. Some food products are made from mixtures of whole grains and refined grains. Only foods that are made with 100% whole grains are considered a whole grain food.
Is eating whole grains good for you?
Health Benefits. Consuming whole grains as part of a healthy diet may reduce the risk of heart disease. Consuming whole grain foods that contain fiber, as part of an overall healthy diet, can support healthy digestion. Eating whole grains, as part of an overall healthy diet, may help with weight management.
How many people eat whole grains a day?
However, even with this rise in popularity, we are still not getting enough in our diets. Only 8 percent of Americans eat the minimum recommended amount per day.
Why is it important to eat whole grains?
There are many benefits of keeping whole grains in your diet. They contain essential nutrients, such as magnesium for bone health, selenium for immune system support, and fiber for digestion and weight management.
What is whole grain?
Whole grains contain the entire grain—the bran, germ, and endosperm. When you see the word “whole” inserted at the beginning of the product, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a whole grain product. Often, package labels will list the word “whole” or “multigrain” but contain very little whole grain.
What foods are in the whole grain group?
Detecting 100-percent whole grains can be tricky and misleading. Here’s a list of common whole grain items to consider adding to your diet:
How many servings of meat per day?
4-5 a day. Low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products. 2-3 a day. 2-3 a day. Lean meats, poultry and fish. 3-4 one-ounce servings or fewer a day. 6 one-ounce servings or fewer a day. Nuts, seeds and legumes. 3-4 a week.
How much sodium is in a dash diet?
The DASH diet also limits sodium to between 1,500 and 2,300 milligrams a day. Here are recommended servings from each food group for two calorie levels of the DASH diet, followed by examples of a single serving size.
What is the DASH diet?
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet can help you control your blood pressure. The DASH diet is rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains. It includes fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans and nuts. It limits foods that are high in saturated fat, such as fatty meats ...
