What's so great about grains?

A lot of people around the world use grains as a staple. In the USA, grains form the base of the Food Guide Pyramid and help form the foundation of a nutritios diet. Grains are great because:

• They provide vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates (starch and dietary fiber), and other substances important for health.
• Whole grains, as part of a healthful eating pattern, may help protect you against A lot of chronic diseases.
• Fiber-containing foods, such as whole grains (and A lot of fruits and vegetables), promote proper bowel function.
• Fiber-containing foods also help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories.

Grains differ in their nutrient content, so it is important to choose a variety daily. While whole grains are good sources of fiber, refined grains are not.

Fiber is best obtained from foods rather than from fiber supplements. This is because foods provide A lot of different types of fiber and other protective substances. Use the Nutrition Facts label on food packages to help you choose grains that are good sources of fiber.