How to Eat More Whole Grains
By Sara Butler
Cutting out carbohydrates has been a part of many fad diets for years, which can make understanding carbohydrates and what they do for your health confusing. The truth is that carbohydrates, specifically whole grains, are very good for you and a necessary part of a well-balanced diet. Here are some ways you can get more whole grains in your life.
Whole Grains: Why They're Good for You
Whole grains are good for your heart. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, eating whole grains can reduce your risk of developing heart disease by as much as 30 percent. The refined grains found in things such as pasta, crackers, and white bread are not good for you; it's probably where the idea that carbohydrates are bad for you come from because they don't have as many nutrients, such as fiber.
It is unrefined whole grains that are good for you and what you should strive to include in your diet.
Eating More Whole Grains
It's not difficult to get more whole grains in your life. Plus, you don't have to work very hard to find them. Try these simple tips to help you include more whole grains in your diet:
- Look for intact whole grains - Intact whole grains include things such as whole oats, quinoa, barley, brown rice, and buckwheat. They have not been as processed as other grains and therefore have more nutrients, such as fiber.
- Look for easy swaps - There are some easy swaps you can make to include more whole grains in your diet such as brown rice instead of white rice, whole wheat pasta for regular pasta, and whole grain bread for white bread.
- Make whole grains a star - If you can choose one meal to make whole grains the star, then you'll be on your way to including more whole grains in your diet. You can easily do this through having whole grain bread for breakfast, whole wheat pasta for dinner, and whole grain crackers with peanut butter for a snack.
- Bake with whole grains - If you like to bake, then include whole grains in what you make. You can easily use whole wheat flower for cakes, crackers, and bread. If you don't like whole wheat flour, then use flours made from buckwheat, bran, or millet instead.
You can enjoy more grains in your diet easily!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Riverside, Calif.