Lately, all you hear about is, whole grain this, whole grain that. But just what is it? Some kind of magic pill? It may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers, may help manage diabetes, may keep digestive tracts on track, and may help in maintaining a healthy body weight. The USDA recommends getting at least 16 grams of whole grains during three meals, or 48 grams a day. So just what is it?

A whole grain is just that, whole. It's the grain seed in its pure form. All whole grains start out as whole grains. Refined grains, like white flour, mill and capture only the endosperm—the bran and the germ aren't used, so vitamins, minerals, fibers, phytonutrients, and antioxidants disappear. The bran is the outside shell that protects the seed, which contains fiber, vitamin B, and trace minerals. The germ provides the nourishment for the seed and holds antioxidants and vitamins E and B.

Find whole grains in items like oatmeal, popcorn, brown rice, whole wheat breads, sprouted grain products, whole grain breads, and whole grain cereals. Sometimes it's hard to tell if some products are real whole grain products, so the Whole Grains Council created an official symbol called the Whole Grain Stamp. When you see it, you know that the product truly contains all parts of the grain, and in what amounts.

All of our products are made with whole grain. Each serving of our breads, cereals, and snack bars contain at least 8 grams of this wonder seed. Find out more in our products section.