Why we should all be eating more wholegrains

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You may have heard that wholegrains are good for us.

But what are they?

How do you get them into your diet?

What happens when an entire country pledges to increase their wholegrain consumption?

Wholegrains Defined

Wholegrains include foods made from the entire grain kernel, encompassing the bran, germ, and endosperm.

Common grains: Wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, corn, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, couscous (wholegrain only).

Ancient grains: Spelt, amaranth, teff, farro, sorghum. 

Wholegrain versions of common foods: Wholewheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, wholegrain breakfast cereals, popcorn.

Health Benefits

Reduced risk of;

  • Cardiovascular diseases

  • Cancer

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • Hypertension. 

Also;

  • Lowers your cholesterol

  • Stabilises your blood glucose levels

  • Improves the health of your gut microbiota

  • Makes you feel full, so can help prevent weight gain

  • Adds texture to your food 

  • It tastes really good!

The Danish experiment


Denmark has revolutionised the average consumption of wholegrains through a partnership with government, health NGOs and industry (supermarkets and food manufacturers).

When the partnership began in 2008, the average Dane ate 36g of wholegrains a day. By 2019, they were eating 82g, the highest intake in Europe. In contrast, the average Briton eats 20g a day, and one in five don’t eat any wholegrains.

To help people understand what is a whole grain they developed an easily recognisable logo for products that are high in wholegrains. Plus Denmark's dietary guidelines were updated to recommend 90g of wholegrains per day. 

Producers have even been adding small amounts of wholegrain flours to white bread products, cakes, biscuits and pastries. So everyone is at least getting some, without affecting the taste, or appearance, of their favourite products. 

Check out the full details of this revolutionary health initiative here

Get Loose Products that count as wholegrains

  • Couscous (as it’s wholewheat)

  • Granola

  • Long Grain Brown Rice

  • Short Grain Brown Rice

  • Buckwheat

  • Quinoa

  • Oats

  • Pasta (wholewheat)

  • Popcorn

Buckwheat Salad Base

Should we stock more wholegrains?