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Whole Grains = Fiber

Whole-grain foods have the nutrient-packed bran, or fiber, parts of the plant. Fiber promotes regularity by moving food through the digestive tract and makes you feel full, so you are less likely to overeat. Whole grains also contain protective substances that may help prevent heart disease.

Reading Labels: Find the Whole Grain

Look for these whole grains as the first entry on a food label's ingredient list:

	Brown Rice
	Graham Flour
	Oatmeal
	Popcorn
	Whole Corn
	Whole Rye
	Whole Wheat
	Whole Barley

Refined vs. Whole Grain

Refined grains have the bran removed. Enriched flour and wheat flour, for example, are not whole grain. While refined grains are fortified with B vitamins and minerals, they are not a source of fiber.

Eating a variety of grain foods each day will help ensure that young children get important nutrients for growth, energy, and lifelong good health. To encourage children to eat more whole grains, check the box at right for easy substitutions.

Choose a Variety of Grains Daily

All grain foods - such as breads, cereals, pasta, and rice - are nutritious choices and should be a part of every meal. Experts recommend that children and adults aim for two or three whole-grain products each day, along with other refined grain foods.

The list below features the amount in one serving of basic grain foods, as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Use the portion sizes for guidance only. Offer a young child a serving that you know he can successfully eat, or let the child choose the portion size, even if it is just a small cracker. Remember that day to day, young children's appetites will vary. If they have enough energy to play and grow, they are probably getting enough food. Offer healthful food choices and children will be sure to choose nutritious foods.

	1 slice of bread
	½ cup cooked rice or pasta
	½ cup cooked cereal
	1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal

For more information on how the Grain Group fits into a young child's overall diet, refer to the USDA MyPlate for Young Children.

Instead of	Substitute	Serving Idea
White bread	100% whole-wheat, rye, or other breads	Toasted with all-fruit spread
Plain English muffin	Whole-wheat or rye English muffin	Mini-pizza with tomato sauce and cheese
Refined grain breakfast cereal	Whole grain breakfast cereals	Refined and whole grain cereals mixed together; hot oatmeal with raisins
White crackers	Whole-wheat, rye and graham crackers	Whole-wheat and rye crackers with cheese and grapes; graham crackers with milk
Flour tortillas	Corn tortillas or taco shells	Filled with refried beans and topped with melted cheese