Grain Confusion Part 2: Whole-Grains

The Grain Series:

 Refined Grains, Whole Grains, Gluten-Free Grains, Ancient Grains and Grains with Gluten

Messages such as " Reduce consumption of refined flours and refined grains by switching to whole-grains"  are everywhere. Before, switching up your diet let's get to know the grains that are refined and those that are whole-grain. 

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All grains start out as a whole-grain containing the bran, endosperm and germ (see whole-grain image above). Due to processing, the bran and germ parts are often removed, resulting in the whole-grain becoming a processed or refined grain. 

The primary issue with this is that, at least 60% of the nutrients in grains are found within the bran and germ. Nutrients such as zinc, vitamin E, phosphors, potassium, thiamine, folate amongst others. Non-nutrient fibre is also found.  When these two parts are removed, the nutrient value of the grain is reduced and can lead to nutritional problems when the overall diet is unbalanced. 

Grains to limit

Grains to enjoy

Nevertheless, the following posters below contain a list of commonly eaten refined grains  and their whole-grain form.

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THE BIG PICTURE

Reduce consumption of refined flours and refined grains by switching to whole-grains such as whole-grain pasta, brown rice, whole-wheat cous cous, whole wheat breads, whole-grain cereals

Check out the Pinterest Board for some Whole-grain supermarket finds:

Brown Rice; Black Rice; Wild Rice; Whole-Grain pasta; Pasta with bran added; Steel Cut Oats; Whole-wheat Cous Cous; Brown Rice Crackers

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Steps to Healthier Eating

9 Simple Steps to Healthier Eating

Changing your lifestyle to eat healthier may take less willpower than you think. Research has zeroed in on some simple changes people can make to avoid what happens to most adults – gradual weight gain over time. In studies, each of the following had just a small impact on weight-gain. But together, they can add up.

• Focus on every bite. This helps you recognise when you are full, and stop eating sooner. Try chewing slowly and putting down your fork between bites.

Source

• Use a smaller bowl or plate. In studies, people ate a lot more from larger containers.
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• Use a skinnier glass to help control portions. People poured more into short, wide glasses than into tall, skinny ones that held the same amount.
  
• Move healthier foods to eye-level in the cupboard and refrigerator. Move unhealthy foods out of sight.
  
• Eat in the kitchen or dining room. Skip dining in front of the TV.
  
• Quit or cut down on chips and fries. Chips and fries were linked to a gain of about a pound each year.
  
• Stop drinking sugar-sweetened soda. These drinks were tied to ¼ pound gained each year.
  
• Eat more vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and yoghurt. Eating these foods was actually linked to a small weight loss over time.
  
• Sleep between 6 and 8 hours a night. Those who did gained less weight than those who slept less than 6 or more than 8.
  

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Source:

American Cancer Society. '9 Steps to Eating Healthier.'
 Available at: http://acs.informz.net/admin31/content/template.asp?sid=41082&ptid=1250&brandid=3343&uid=773469285&mi=4792582&ps=41082 

Last Accessed: 28-nov-2015

Healthy Food for Kids

Healthy Food for Kids 

Imagine if your body was a fancy sports car. What kind of fuel would you put in it? Would you give it the best fuel you could buy or whatever was around? Your body actually is a little like a sports car. When you give your body good food every day, you have energy to grow and play. You get sick less often. You grow and become strong. If you give your body poor fuel, it won’t work as well. You might have less energy or get sick more often.

So what kind of fuel does your body need? Your body needs minerals, vitamins, fibre, fats and protein every day. Each of these foods has a different purpose.

Fun Facts about Healthy Food for Kids

1. Minerals make healthy skin and strong bones and teeth.

2.  Fibre helps your body digest food. It is found in vegetables, whole grains and fruit.

3.Vitamins help your body stay healthy and fight disease. Vitamins are found in fruit and vegetables.

4. Fats in milk products, meat and fish help your body build healthy nerves and fight off disease.

5.Protein, which is found in meat, milk products, beans and fish, builds muscles and repairs damage.

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Dietary Fibre Lesson 

Source: Kids Nutrition Facebook Page. Healthy Food for Kids. Posted 30/10/2015
https://www.facebook.com/Kids-Nutrition-469055966607108/?fref=photo

Fibre, Fibre, Fibre. Oh Yes!

LET'S LEARN ABOUT DIETARY FIBRE

1. What Is Dietary Fibre?

 Dietary fibre is a type of carbohydrate, that is not digested or absorbed. For this reason, it is a non-nutrient.

2. Where Is Dietary Fibre Found?

Dietary fibre is found in only plant-based foods due to plant cells containing a rigid cell wall. Humans, unlike certain animals (ruminants), lack the enzymes required to fully breakdown the cell wall of plants. For this reason, chewing our food and cooking helps the body breakdown the rigid cell wall. 
Side-note: Foods from animals do not contain any fibre.

3. Which Foods Have Dietary?
Foods rich in Dietary fibre include (see poster below):

4. Tell Me More!
The fibre in food comes in two forms; soluble fibre and insoluble fibre.
Both forms are not digested by the body but contribute to good health, nonetheless.

Insoluble fibre is also commonly referred to as 'roughage'. Once consumed, insoluble fibre moves through the stomach, small intestines and large intestines intact and untouched. e.g. Think about when cooked or raw spinach is consumed.  This type of fibre, helps add bulk to stools and improve the strength of the muscles lining the intestines.

Soluble fibre is a type of fibre moves from the stomach to the small intestines and then into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream, this type of fibre helps remove waste and excess fat (cholesterol). 

5. Why Should I Eat Fibre?

Despite, dietary fibre not being digested by the body. It still makes a positive impact on health when at least 20 grams of fibre is consumed on a daily basis. Some of the health benefits of fibre include reducing risk of heart disease, lowering cholesterol, reducing risk of colon cancer, insulin resistance and aiding in weight management.

✑ Related article: How To Know If You're Fat

However, it should be noted, consuming too much fibre in a sitting or day can cause digestive problems such as bloating and constipation (hard to move stools), especially in persons who do not accustom to eating large amounts of fibre. 

Recommendations:
(1) Increase fibre intake slowly but gradually, this gives the colon time to adjust to influx of fibre.
 and increase the amount of water consumed in the day. 
(2) Water, is absorbed by the colon as such make stools softer and easier to move; thus reducing risk of constipation.

6.Beware Of Fibre Supplements 

Beware of fibre supplements , they are a great option for those who have difficulty meeting fibre intake from foods but in excess, they can reduce the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. It is best to use these with caution.

Check out the video.

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