The FDA has announced that foods made with at least 51% whole grains act as potential heart disease and cancer fighters. To get these benefits, they recommend three servings of whole grains daily.

What exactly is a whole grain? A whole grain has all the healthy parts of the grain intact. It contains the bran, endosperm and the germ. The bran is the outer shell of the grain that protects the shell. It contains fiber, B vitamins and trace minerals. The endosperm has protein and carbohydrates and provides energy. It is the bulk of the edible part of the grain. The germ is what provides nourishment to the seed. It is rich in antioxidants, Vitamin E, fiber and B vitamins. There is also the husk, which is the outer part of the grain that cannot be eaten. It is removed from a whole grain. Each part of the grain contains different nutrients and in order to receive the most healthful benefits from the grain it is best to consume the whole grain.

Just what is it in a whole grain that makes it so good for you? Whole grain foods - such as bread, cereal, brown rice and wheat germ - are rich in fiber, magnesium and vitamin E, nutrients that appear to reduce the risk of diabetes-2, colon cancer and stroke. In whole grain foods there are other, less understood, substances, such as various identified and unidentified phytochemicals, and they appear to work in combinations with the vitamins and minerals. In addition to these unknown nutrients, whole grains contain other nutrients that are known to be beneficial to our long-term health. These include folic acid and other B vitamins, plant based protein, and of course fiber. Soluble fiber lowers LDL [bad] cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. And because whole grains are a complex carbohydrate, they help regulate blood sugar levels. Whole grain food should be a part of every health conscious person's diet.

How do I know if I am eating a whole grain food? Read the label. Just because something says "made with wheat flour" doesn't mean it's a whole grain. White flour is also wheat flour - with many of the nutrients removed. Try brown rice, whole-grain pasta, or whole-grain tortillas. So, when reading labels you want to read the ingredient list and make sure it says 'whole' wheat, oats, rye, barley etc. For example, there is a difference between wheat bread and whole wheat bread. If it is not whole wheat, you are not receiving all the benefits of the grain. Foods like oatmeal, whole bran products, whole-wheat products, and whole grain flours are the grains of choice when it comes to improving your health--so enjoy and live healthy and happy.

How does Racconto help you to eat your three servings of whole grains per day? Racconto offers two different types of products made from 100% Whole Wheat - Racconto's 100% Whole Wheat line of pastas and Bella Terra's Organic 100% Whole Wheat line of pastas. Both options are a delicious way to bring those healthy whole grains to your diet.