Whole Grains and You

You may be hearing more lately about whole grains, an essential part of a healthy diet that can provide a balanced mix of great taste and nutrition.

What are Whole Grains?
Whole grain products include breads, pastas, and cereals that are made with 100 percent whole grain. Other kinds of whole grains include rice, popcorn, corn and oatmeal. Whole grains contain the entire seed of a plant. This seed, sometimes called a "kernel," has three parts:

  • The bran is the multi-layered outer skin of the kernel that protects the seed. It's a great source of fiber and B vitamins.
  • The germ is the part of the seed that, if fertilized, will sprout into a new plant. It contains important antioxidants, vitamin E and many B vitamins.
  • The endosperm is the germ's food supply that provides essential energy. It is the largest part of the seed, and provides carbohydrates and protein.

What Makes Whole Grains Great
Whole grains are naturally low in fat or fat free and contain good sources of complex carbohydrates, and various vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, potassium, iron and fiber.

Enjoy whole grain goodness that supports a healthy heart in just 90 seconds, with Uncle Ben’s READY RICE® Whole Grain Brown and Kudos® brand granola bars (2-3 grams of whole grains per serving)

The Whole Grain Stamp

The Whole Grain Stamp is an easy way to identify products that contain significant amounts of whole grains. The stamp was created by the Whole Grains Council and a panel of scientific and nutrition advisors in 2005.


Visit the Uncle Ben’s Web site to learn about the importance of whole grains.