The Whole Grains Council has named September as Whole Grains Month, so it’s a great time to check your diet to make sure you’re getting enough whole grains, which have been shown to lower risk for disease.

Whole grains are foods that contain all the essential parts and naturally occurring nutrients of the entire grain seed. Types of whole grains include barley, buckwheat, corn, oats, rice (brown, colored, and wild), and wheat.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that each adult get 3-5 servings of whole grains daily, and children get 2-3 servings daily. But studies show that most Americans eat less than one serving daily, and 40% of Americans never eat whole grains at all.

What are you missing by not including whole grains in your diet? Studies have shown that whole grains in your diet help reduce your risk of disease:

• Stroke risk reduced 30%
• Type 2 diabetes risk reduced 21%
• Heart disease risk reduced 25%

Other benefits include better weight maintenance, reduced risk of asthma, healthier blood pressure levels, and less risk of gum disease. Ask your health care provider or your dietitian about including more whole grains in your diet.

For more information:

• Download Concentra’s flyer titled A Healthy Diet: Focus on Whole Grains
• Visit Whole Grains Council for a complete list of whole grains