FN-691
Whole Grains:
Agriculture to Health
Jane U. Edwards, Ph.D., LRD
Nutrition and Health Specialist
Whole-grain Components
Whole grains contain all elements of the kernel Refined grains primarily contain the ground
— bran, germ and endosperm. The bran and endosperm of the kernel, with both the bran
germ contain a variety of health-enhancing and germ removed. Loss of the bran and
components — dietary fiber, phytochemicals, germ reduces the fiber content (especially
vitamins, trace minerals and small amounts insoluble fiber) and a number of health-
of unsaturated fat. enhancing components. Refined grains
are “enriched” with a limited number of
Bran (outer) nutrients — vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin,
- Fiber (insoluble) niacin) and minerals (iron) — added back.
- B vitamins, trace minerals
Refined grains also are “fortified” with folic
- Phytochemicals (non-nutrients,
but biologically active) acid at more than twice the level found in
- Protein (small amount) whole grains.
Endosperm (inner)
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Fiber (soluble)
Grain Production
Germ (embryo) In 2005, North Dakota led the nation in the
- Vitamin E and healthy fats production of durum wheat (68 percent),
- B vitamins, trace minerals spring wheat (44 percent), barley (27 percent)
- Protein (small amount)
and oats (12 percent). North Dakota also
produces a small amount of rye.
North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105
AUGUST 2006
Daily Amounts
For adults, the Dietary Guidelines suggest
about “6 ounce equivalents” of total grains per
day. Variation in calorie needs will change this
suggested amount. Three or more one ounce
equivalents of whole grains are recommended
each day.
One “ounce equivalent” of grain-based foods
is as follows:
• 1 ounce or slice of bread
• ½ cup of cooked rice, pasta or cooked
cereal
• 1 cup of ready-to-eat cereal
Healthy
Whole-grain Identification North Dakota Plate
The Whole Grains Council is an industry-based Seeing foods on a plate may assist with
group committed to increasing the consumption planning and selecting meals to meet the
of whole grains. This group has developed Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The amounts
the Whole Grains Stamp Program to help suggested are for one meal in a daily pattern
consumers identify whole-grain products and with about 2,000 calories. Foods produced
the amount of whole grains per serving. in North Dakota and the northern Plains are
featured. Grains, with an emphasis on whole
Whole Grain Stamps indicate the following:
grains, should cover about one-fourth of the
• Number of grams of whole grains per
plate.
serving
• Daily goal of 48 or more grams of whole
grains
• 100% stamp indicates a product having
only whole grains with 16 or more grams
per serving
Whole Grain Stamps are a trademark of Oldways Preservation Trust and the
Whole Grains Council.
Health Benefits
Including whole grains in the diet on a regular basis is associated with lower body
weights and reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.
Healthy Weight Cancer
The dietary fiber found in whole grains helps Phytochemicals (antioxidants and phytoestro-
promote a full feeling, which reduces the amount gens) and trace minerals (such as selenium)
of food eaten. The role that other components of found in whole grains may inhibit the develop-
whole grains contribute to weight management ment or progression of various types of cancer.
is not well defined. Insoluble fiber (found in large amounts in whole
wheat and brown rice) increases fecal bulk and
Heart Health speeds up transit in the colon. Cancer-causing
Dietary fiber found in whole grains (especially agents thus have less time in contact with cells
the soluble fiber found in oats and barley) lining the large intestine. Bacteria breaks down
may help reduce the absorption of dietary soluble fiber (found in large amounts in oats and
cholesterol. The bran and germ contribute a barley) in the large intestine and helps enhance
variety of substances which also play a role the health of colon cells.
in reducing the risk of heart disease: trace
minerals, a variety of phytochemicals and a
small amount of healthy oils. Carbohydrate Exchanges
Whole grains (contributing good amounts of
Diabetes fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals)
Consuming whole grains, within an overall are an excellent carbohydrate choice for those
balanced diet, is one way to reduce the risk of living with diabetes.
developing diabetes. Dietary fiber (especially
soluble dietary fiber found in whole oats and
barley) helps reduce the rate of carbohydrate
absorption and supports appropriate insulin Carbohydrate Exchanges
response to carbohydrate in the diet.
Whole Grains
Bowel Health Whole-wheat bread, 1 slice (1 ounce)
Increased intake of whole grains with higher Oatmeal, cooked, ½ cup
contents of insoluble fiber (such as whole wheat Whole-wheat pasta, cooked, a cup
or brown rice) can prevent or treat constipation. 80 calories
Both the soluble and insoluble fiber found in a 15 grams carbohydrate
variety of whole grains promote overall bowel
2 grams dietary fiber
health, including a reduction in the risk of colon
3 grams protein
cancer.
0-1 gram fat
Exchange: 1 starch
Easy Spinach Lasagna
Makes 12 servings
2 tsp. oil
1 small onion, chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen, chopped spinach,
thawed and well-drained
¼ tsp. nutmeg
Warm Pear Crisp 1 pound small-curd cottage cheese
2 c. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
¼ c. grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
Makes nine servings 2 eggs
¼ c. rolled oats 1 tsp. dry oregano
1 Tbsp. walnuts 1 tsp. dry basil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
7 Tbsp. whole-wheat flour
3 c. low-fat prepared marinara sauce
2 ½ Tbsp. packed brown sugar 12 pieces dry whole-wheat lasagna noodles
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. canola oil Directions
6 medium pears, cored and sliced • Preheat the oven to 375 F.
¼ c. raisins • In a skillet, cook the onion and garlic in the oil over
1 Tbsp. lemon juice medium heat until opaque.
2 Tbsp. sugar • Add spinach (thawed and drained) and nutmeg to the
1/8 tsp. nutmeg onion/garlic mixture. Cook until liquid is absorbed,
pinch of cloves about three minutes.
• Allow spinach mixture to cool, about 15 minutes.
Directions
• In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 1 c.
• Combine oats, walnuts, 6 Tbsp. whole- mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, eggs, oregano, basil,
wheat flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. salt and pepper.
• Add oil and mix thoroughly. • Set aside ½ cup of marinara for the top of the lasagna.
• In a separate bowl, toss pears with • In a 9-inch by 13-inch glass baking pan, pour a thin
raisins, lemon juice, sugar, 1 Tbsp. coating of marinara sauce. Cover it with three uncooked
whole-wheat flour, nutmeg and cloves. lasagna noodles. Top the noodles with one-third of the
spinach mixture, followed by one-third of the cheese
• Spoon pear mixture into one 8- or 9-inch mixture.
round cake pan sprayed with canola oil. • Repeat the layering process three times.
• Cover pear mixture with the oat mixture • Pour the reserved ½ cup of marinara sauce over the
and press down gently. top and distribute 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Bake at 375 F for 45 to 50 minutes. on top of that.
Crisp is done when topping has browned • Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and
and pear juice bubbles to the top. continue baking until the noodles are tender, 12 to 15
minutes. Cool and cut into sections.
Nutrition Information Per Serving
160 calories, 33 grams (g) carbohydrate, Nutrition Information Per Serving
2 g protein, 4 g fat, 5 g dietary fiber and 237 calories, 27 grams (g) carbohydrate, 17 g protein,
4 milligrams sodium 7 g fat, 5 g dietary fiber, 426 milligrams sodium
Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 fat Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 meat (medium fat)
Source: Adapted from www.aicr.org Source: Adapted from www.aicr.org
For more information on this and other topics, see: www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/ag2health.htm
County commissions, North Dakota State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Duane Hauck, director, Fargo, N.D. Distributed in furtherance of
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