Refining the Conversation on Grains

March 27, 2019
Shari Steinbach
Communications

Thanks to books like Wheat Belly and a plethora of low carbohydrate diet plans that promote the reduction of grains for better health, many grain-based foods have been shunned by consumers. This is frustrating for health professionals who understand that grain foods can provide many nutritional benefits and are enjoyed as components of healthy meals. Supermarkets sell a wide variety of whole, refined and enriched grain products and retail dietitians are often called upon to clarify grain food concerns. By understanding what the research is saying about all grain foods, RDs can successfully communicate meaningful shopper solutions. 

At the 2019 FoodFluence conference, Glenn Gaesser, PhD, Arizona State University, shared research findings regarding the health impact of grains in the diet and why we sometimes need to dig a little deeper into the data. Here is a summary:

• There is consistent data on whole grains and positive health outcomes. Two to three servings of whole grains a day can have a large benefit.
• Studies linking refined (which are mostly enriched) grain consumption to negative health outcomes typically looked at them in reference to a total dietary pattern that included excess processed meat, French fries, sweets, high-sugar beverages and high fat dairy.  
• When refined grains are looked at as a separate category, meta-analysis studies do not show any increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Also, U.S. cohort studies indicate refined grain intake has very little association with BMI.
• Refined grains are typically categorized as: bread, pasta, cereal, rice, pancakes, cookies, pizza, cake, and donuts, but these foods are not all nutritionally equivalent.

Based on this information here are suggested ways to “enrich” your consumer conversations about grains:

In summary, retail RDs should feel confident encouraging both whole and refined staple grains as part of an overall healthy diet plan and can include these products in their consumer wellness programming.

For more information and infographics visit: https://grainfoodsfoundation.org/

In summary, retail RDs should feel confident encouraging both whole and refined staple grains as part of an overall healthy diet plan and can include these products in their consumer wellness programming.

For more information and infographics visit: https://grainfoodsfoundation.org/

• Talk about the two distinct categories of refined grain foods and show how they clearly have different roles in the diet.:
  • Staples(enriched bread, flour, cereal and pasta) that contribute positively to the diet with shortfall nutrients. 
  • Indulgent – Grain products with added sugars and fat (cookies, cake and certain snack foods) that should be limited. 
• Alleviate any guilt shoppers may have for including refined, enriched grain products such as cereal, bread and pasta in an overall healthy dietary pattern. 
• Encourage more whole grains. Help consumers move to 2-3 servings per day.
• Discuss the positive role of both whole and refined, enriched grain products in a nutritious diet and provide meal ideas that meet shopper lifestyles:
  • How to build a better sandwich(include lean meats and more veggies)
  • How to build a healthy bowl of cereal (add low fat dairy and fruit)
  • Quick and health family meals with enriched pasta
  • Simple, healthful muffin mixes with enriched flour

  In summary, retail RDs should feel confident encouraging both whole and refined staple grains as part of an overall healthy diet plan and can include these products in their consumer wellness programming.

  For more information and infographics visit: https://grainfoodsfoundation.org/