
Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel- the bran, germ, and endosperm. Refined grains have been milled, a process that removes the bran and germ, leaving behind the endosperm. Refined grains have a finer texture and improve their shelf life, but it also removes dietary fiber, iron, and many B vitamins.
Is whole grain the same as whole wheat?
The Difference Between Whole Wheat and Whole Grain While whole wheat and whole grain may sound like they are two different things, whole wheat is merely a type of whole grain. As mentioned above, whole grains include the entirety of the grain kernel, including the bran, germ and endosperm.
What foods are whole grains?
Whole Grains at Every Meal
- Breakfast. In addition to cooked cereals and porridges, consider slipping uncooked millet or plain cooked brown rice into your pancake or muffin batters.
- Lunch. Grain salads are lunchtime all-stars – lean on last night’s leftovers for mid-day mains that will fill you up until dinner.
- Dinner. ...
- Desserts and Snacks. ...
What is considered whole grain?
- wheat
- semolina
- durum wheat
- organic flour
- stoneground
- multigrain (may describe several whole grains or several refined grains, or a mix of both)
What is list of whole grains?
Whole Grain Pasta
- Whole wheat
- Brown rice
- Amaranth
- Corn

Which are better refined grain or whole grain?
Choose whole grains instead of refined grains. Whole grains offer a “complete package” of health benefits, unlike refined grains, which are stripped of valuable nutrients in the refining process. All whole grain kernels contain three parts: the bran, germ, and endosperm.
What is considered a refined grain?
Refined grains are milled to have had the germ and bran removed, which gives them a finer texture and extends their shelf life. The refining process also removes many nutrients, including fiber. Refined grains include white flour, white rice and white bread.
Is rice a whole grain or refined grain?
Brown rice is widely recognized as a healthier alternative to white rice. That's because it's a whole grain, meaning it contains the entire grain including the bran, germ and endosperm. Meanwhile, white rice has both the bran and germ removed.
What is the difference between a whole grain and a refined grain apex?
Whole grains have a slightly denser texture and they are higher in nutrients, including fiber and B vitamins. But they have a shorter shelf life. Refined grains contain only the endosperm because the refining process has removed the germ and bran.
Is oatmeal a refined grain?
Oats are almost never refined, which means that no matter which box or canister you choose at the grocery store you're pretty much guaranteed to be getting a whole grain product.
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.
Is pasta a whole grain?
Regular pasta is made from refined flours, such as wheat flour. The milling process involves stripping the grain of its bran and germ, which gives the flour a finer texture, but also alters the nutritional content of the grain. Whole-grain pasta is made from flour as well, but the grain is not as highly processed.
How do you know if a food is whole grain?
Until the Whole Grain Stamp is on all foods, how can consumers know if a product is whole grain? First, check the package label. Many whole grain products not yet using the Stamp will list the grams of whole grain somewhere on the package, or say something like “100% whole wheat.” You can trust these statements.
Is popcorn a whole grain?
When it's air-popped and lightly seasoned, popcorn is an efficiently healthy snack. That's because it is a whole grain, and high-fiber whole grains have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and other health problems.
Is quinoa a whole grain or refined grain?
whole grainThough technically a seed, Quinoa is classified as a whole grain and is a good source of plant protein and fiber.
Is pasta a refined grain?
True, white pasta is a refined grain product because the germ and bran of the wheat—where much of the fiber and nutrients are—are removed. Still, it supplies 6 to 7 grams of protein and about 2 grams of fiber per cooked cup.
What rice is considered whole grain?
Brown”“Brown” rice is the typical whole grain rice, though this describes not a particular variety but the natural color of the grain. However, whole grain rice is not limited to one color—it also comes in shades of black, purple, and red.
Is pasta a refined grain?
True, white pasta is a refined grain product because the germ and bran of the wheat—where much of the fiber and nutrients are—are removed. Still, it supplies 6 to 7 grams of protein and about 2 grams of fiber per cooked cup.
Is oatmeal a grain to avoid?
Pure oats are gluten-free and safe for most people with gluten intolerance. However, oats are often contaminated with gluten because they may be processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing grains like wheat, rye, and barley.
What are examples of refined foods?
What are refined, simple, or “bad” carbs? Bad or simple carbohydrates include sugars and refined grains that have been stripped of all bran, fiber, and nutrients, such as white bread, pizza dough, pasta, pastries, white flour, white rice, sweet desserts, and many breakfast cereals.
Is quinoa a refined grain?
Quinoa and Health Though technically a seed, Quinoa is classified as a whole grain and is a good source of plant protein and fiber.
What is refined grains?
Refined grains are often referred to as ‘empty calories’ this means that they add calories to your diet without providing any nutritional value . It is far better to eat something that is adding the much needed vitamins and minerals to your diet. Whole grains are rich in fibre, which slows their transit through the digestive tract, ...
What is grain in food?
What Is A Grain? Grains have been consumed by humans for millennia, and have always made up a substantial part of our diet. They are extremely energy dense, and can be processed into many different foodstuffs, which has led them to being a part of meal time for so long.
Why are grains low in glycemic index?
This means you will feel fuller for longer, and will reduce a sudden release of insulin as your blood glucose suddenly rises.
What does it mean when you eat whole grains?
This means when you are eating whole grains you are getting the nutrient from the entire grain, including the all important fibre which is so important for so many functions , and a diet rich in fibre has many health benefits.
Do refined grains have endosperm?
Refined grains have had the bran and germ removed, leaving only the endosperm, that really doesn’t have a whole lot of nutritional value apart from carbohydrates. The endosperm has a much softer texture than the other two components, so it can sometimes be more appealing to eat.
Do people eat refined grains?
Refined grains have been eaten much more than whole grains in the western world. They are often available for quick to make foods and cereals, and have long been a food of convenience. In the last ten years or so, we have begun to realise the nutritional benefits of whole grains and are trying to move away from refined grains, however a significant portion of the population still eat refined grains.
Does eating whole grain help with colon cancer?
Eating low glycaemic index foods will keep you satiated for longer, meaning you don’t snack and you keep your weight stable, or even lose weight, and there are health benefits including lowering the risk of developing type two diabetes, or certain types of heart disease, and people who eat a whole grain rich diet seem to have a lower incidence of colon cancer.
What is the difference between whole grains and refined grains?
Let us see what the difference between whole grains and refined grains is. A grain has three main body parts. Bran – this is the outer protective coating , which is rich in fiber s and nutrients. Germ -This is the seed part and hence it is rich in vitamins and minerals as it is able to support new life. Endosperm – Mainly contains energy in the form ...
What are Whole Grains?
Whole grains are so called as they are whole and all three main parts are intact. This is why they are nutritious and wholesome for our bodies. Whole grains are far more nutritious and healthier than refined grains. Our bodies get more vitamin B, E and folic acid from eating whole grains. Whole grains, containing fibers are good for our bodies as they help us in reducing our weight. Some examples of whole grains are Brown rice, oatmeal, popcorn, muesli, whole wheat bread, and wild rice.
What are the two categories of grains?
Whole grain and refined grain are classifications of grains. An overwhelming majority of foods that we eat such as bread, oatmeal, pasta, breakfast cereals and even tortillas, come from grains. All such recipes are made up of grains such as wheat, rice, cornmeal, barley or any other cereal grain. Grains are classified as whole grains ...
What are some examples of whole grains?
Some examples of whole grains are Brown rice, oatmeal, popcorn, muesli, whole wheat bread, and wild rice.
Do refined grains lose their bran?
On the other hand, refined grains are polished, but in the process, lose their bran and germ. What is done then is enriching these grains with supplements such as vitamins and minerals after milling, but they still do not have the same nutritional value as whole grains.
Can you add fiber to refined grains?
It is not possible to add fibers to refined grains that they lose in the process of milling. Some examples of refined grains are noodles, crackers, Macaroni, Spaghetti, cornflakes, white bread, and white rice. When buying refined grain products, make sure that the label has the word enriched in the grain name.
What are the two subgroups of grains?
Grains are divided into 2 subgroups: whole grains and refined grains. Do you know the difference between the two?
How to tell if bread is whole wheat?
It can sometimes be difficult to tell what kind of grains a product has, especially bread. If bread is brown in color, this doesn’t necessarily mean its whole wheat! The brown hue may come from added coloring. It is important to check the product label or the Nutrition Facts panel if you are not sure if a product has whole grains or not. An easy way to make sure you’re getting whole grains is to look for the 100% Whole Grain stamp. Since not all food packagers participate in the stamp program, look for the phrase 100% whole grain or for the word “whole” on the package. Also, make sure whole grains appears among the first few items in the ingredient list.
What is the difference between whole grains and refined grains?
Nutritional guidelines say to choose whole grains rather than refined grains, but what is the difference between the two? As you might suspect, whole grains contain the original grain parts as grown by the grain plant. Refined grains are processed, or refined, to remove some of those parts. Those original grain parts contain fiber plus other nutrients, and they’re good for you, which is why health experts urge people to include whole grains in their diets. Whole grains and the flour produced from them don’t make light fluffy baked goods, which is why food production manufacturers might tend to avoid them for some products.
How many grains should a 35 year old woman eat?
According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for American, a 35-year old woman is recommended to eat six ounce-equivalents of grains per day, at least three of which should be whole grains. How much is an ounce equivalent of a grain-based food? Here are some examples:
Is whole grain flour gluten free?
Whole grain flour, from any type of grain, gluten-free or not, contains all three parts of the grain kernel, only it’s ground together. Refined grain flour contains only the endosperm. The process of refining flour removes the germ and the bran. Refining grain flour provides for a longer shelf life and a finer texture. The process of refining flour removes the germ and the bran.
Is whole grain flour healthier than refined flour?
Whole grain flour has some real health advantages. It includes the fibrous bran and the nutrient-filled germ of the kernel. It also includes significantly more B vitamins, minerals, and fiber than does refined flour. In fact, manufacturers add vitamins and minerals (specifically, folic acid and iron) back into refined wheat flour to make it a healthier food. However, there’s no way to add fiber to refined flour without destroying its fine texture and potentially reducing its shelf life.
What is the difference between whole grain and refined?
Whole grain products have more fiber and nutrients than their refined counterparts and many health benefits. Whether we’re talking about noodles, breads, tortillas, or crackers, the difference boils down to what type of wheat is used in the product.
What are refined grains?
Refined and Enriched Grains. Refined grains have undergone a refining process that removes the germ and bran, which gives it a smoother texture. Some common refined grains include white flour, white rice, and de-germed flours. Enriched grains are refined grains that have been fortified with additional nutrients.
What is Whole Grain?
The most recent dietary guidelines recommend that whole grains should be half of your grain servings every day. Whole grains contain all portions of the grain’s kernel: the germ, bran, and endosperm. Some great sources of whole grains are whole-wheat flour, buckwheat, barley, corn, oats, quinoa, and brown and wild rice.
Is bread 100 percent whole grain?
Fiber doesn’t tell the whole story, but try to buy bread with three or more grams of fiber per serving. Words like fiber, stoneground, cracked wheat, multigrain, and whole grain don’t always signify that a product is 100 percent whole grain. Enriched flour, bran, and wheat germ are never 100 percent whole grain.
