You are in Food and Nutrition . If you're like most Americans, you're whole-grain challenged, consuming only a single serving of whole grains daily. In accordance with the new guidelines, the USDA and the American Dietetic Association suggest that you eat at least three servings of whole-grain foods daily. But there's also a cornucopia of these grains at your neighborhood supermarket. A whole grain refers to the entire edible part of a grain or seed.
Whole grains combine all three nifty components.
By shortchanging ourselves on whole grains, we're missing out on all sorts of good things. Whole grains are also a concentrated source of the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium. Some studies have found that these substances may protect cells against DNA-damaging free radicals and thereby reduce the risk of many diseases. Whole grains are also a low-fat source of complex carbohydrates, which are an important fuel for the body. Besides providing fuel, whole grains contain substantial amounts of fiber.