Whole Grains 101

Finding Whole Grains: Reading Labels & Using the Whole Grain Stamp

These words mean whole grain

• Whole [name of grain]
• Whole [name of grain] flour
• Whole grain [name of grain]
• [name of grain] berries
• [name of grain] groats

These words mean whole grain

• Brown rice, wild rice
• Oats, oatmeal
• Bulgur
• Cracked or crushed wheat
• Hulled or hull-less barley
• Graham flour
• Whole white wheat

Maybe yes, Maybe no

• Flour
• Wheat flour
• Organic, natural
• Unbleached
• Semolina
• Multigrain
• Stoneground

NOT whole grains

• Enriched flour
• Bran
• Germ, wheat germ
• Degerminated (cornmeal)
• Pearled barley
• Grits, hominy, farina

Label Reading Practice

• • Which ingredients are whole grains?
• • Is this product 100% whole grain?
• Ingredients: Whole White Wheat Flour, Millet, Oats, Brown rice flour, Degerminated cornmeal, Water, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Salt, Wheat germ, Oat bran, Baker's yeast.

In Stores: Trust the Stamp

• An easy-to-spot symbol that guarantees you’re getting a half serving (8g) or more of whole grain

The Whole Grain Stamp

• Grams of whole grain
• per labeled serving

• Check the
• website
• for more
• Info on
• whole
• grains

• The “Basic” Stamp

• Grain sheaf icon

The Whole Grain Stamp

• 100% mark added,
• if all the grain*
• Is whole grain;
• there is NO
• refined grain

• The “100%” Stamp

• * In Canada, all the ingredients must be whole grain.

The Whole Grain Stamp

• Compare the gram
• number to the
• minimum you need
• every day.

• on all Stamps

The Whole Grain Stamp Different Numbers on Every Product

• Basic Stamp
• at least 8g (1/2 serving) of WG

• 100% Stamp
• NO refined grain AND
• at least 16g (1 serving) of WG

Test Your Knowledge

#1. What are Whole Grains?

• Grains that are darker in color.
• Grains that are low carb.
• Grains that contain the bran, germ and endosperm.
• Grains that are organic.
• Grains that have been fortified.

#1. What are Whole Grains?

• Grains that are darker in color.
• Grains that are low carb.
• Grains that contain the bran, germ and endosperm.
• Grains that are organic.
• Grains that have been fortified.

#2. Which are always whole grain?

• Barley
• Oatmeal
• Enriched Wheat Flour
• 100% Wheat Bread
• All of the above
• None of the above

#2. Which are always whole grain?

• Barley
• Oatmeal
• Enriched Wheat Flour
• 100% Wheat Bread
• All of the above
• None of the above

#3. Which guarantees a half serving or more of Whole Grain?

• a.

• b.

• c.

• d.

• e.

#3. Which guarantees a half serving or more of Whole Grain?

• a.

• b.

• c.

• d.

• e.

#4. True or False?

• Whole grain products are always high in dietary fiber.

• True
• False

#4. True or False?

• Whole grain products are always high in dietary fiber.

• True
• False

• A full serving of whole grain will range from 1g of fiber to 5g of fiber. Fiber is only ONE of whole grain’s benefits.

#5. Which indicates whole grain?

• Stoneground
• Unbleached
• Multigrain
• Wheat
• All of the above
• None of the above

#5. Which indicates whole grain?

• Stoneground
• Unbleached
• Multigrain
• Wheat
• All of the above
• None of the above

• None of these are sure-fire whole grain words.

Visit our website!

The Whole Grains Council

• Helping people worldwide enjoy more whole grains
• www.WholeGrainsCouncil.org