Whole grains and wheat products provide your body with the essential nutrients required on a daily basis. They are rich in fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Many weight-loss diets suggest cutting down on grain intake, which is unfortunate given the fact that whole grain foods can actually help you shed weight. They contain lesser calories and are more filling, which means you eat less. Read on further to find out some of the many benefits of adding whole grain and wheat foods to your diet.

Whole grains

Whole grain foods help maintain a healthy heart. Recent studies reveal that people who eat cereals with whole grain at least seven times a week face around 30% lesser risk of heart diseases. Another benefit of adding whole grain foods to your diet is its positive effects on your blood pressure levels. A tasty diet incorporating oatmeal, pasta, cornmeal, muesli, whole grain bread etc., which are rich in whole grains, promotes a healthy heart and blood pressure. Whole grain foods are also abundant in their supply of phytonutrients. Phytonutrients play a crucial role in preventing conditions like diabetes and cancer.

Wheat grains

Wheat grains are composed of three basic parts; the endosperm, the germ and the bran. The endosperm makes up more than 80% of the grain and contains complex carbohydrates and proteins. The germ is the smallest of the three, but is the most nutritious, rich in phosphorous, zinc, iron, magnesium and vitamins. The bran is the outer covering and is a rich source of fiber.

Wheat foods, especially wheat bran, are rich in fiber and aid in digestion and weight loss. A half-cup of wheat bran contains no more than 60 calories and provides percent of your daily recommended intake of proteins. Wheat bran is especially useful in lowering digestion-related disorders like hemorrhoids and constipation. Whole wheat flour is also another food item rich in fiber. Wheat is also helpful in regulating blood sugar, which helps to prevent Type 2 diabetes later. The fiber that is present in wheat bran is also helpful in creating stable blood sugar among diabetics.

Buying whole wheat and whole grain products

The next time you go to the supermarket or local department store to buy food products, make it a point to go through the ingredient list of each food item that you buy. The bran and germ of many grain foods are removed while they are being processed, and they lose more than half their nutrient value. So look for foods that mention ‘whole wheat’ or ‘whole grain’ in their ingredients list. It will mean that the grain value is untouched. Also look for food items that contain ingredients like barley, millet, wheat germ, flaxseed, buckwheat, rye, quinoa, sorghum, triticale, cracked wheat, durum, wheat berries, etc.

Incorporating one or more of the above mentioned suggestions, you will not only boost your health significantly, but also keep near fatal illnesses like heart failure and diabetes at bay. Wheat and whole grain products are a treasure house of essential proteins, vitamins and fiber. Half a cup of wheat bran equates roughly half your recommended daily intake of fiber. You can start off with a cereal that incorporates some of the aforementioned ingredients.

Author Bio: Sally Grey specializes in writing articles about health, diet, longevity and health specialists like Brenda Rusnak. Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist who writes about healthy-aging and prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and Brenda Rusnak, check her out at brendarusnak.com.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: wheat,whole grains,healthy,heart failure aid,diabetes aid