Study Proves Value of Whole Grains

Posted by Stephanie Gallagher May 16, 2007

It's not just hype. Eating whole grains, such as oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread and popcorn does lower your risk of heart disease.

Researchers at Wake Forest University just completed a meta-analysis of seven studies involving more than 285,000 people. The results: People who ate an average of two-and-a-half servings of whole grains daily had a 21% lower risk of developing heart disease than those who ate just one-fifth of a serving.

What counts as a serving of whole grains? It isn't always easy to tell, especially since virtually any food manufacturer with an advertising budget can claim its product is made with whole grains.

Of course, if you cook it yourself, you know what's in it. Here are some of my favorite whole grain recipes. A serving of any of these recipes equals at least one serving of whole grains:

• One slice of whole wheat bread
• Two cups of popcorn
• A bowl of oatmeal creme brulee
• A serving of crock pot barley jambalaya
• A bowl of split pea soup with barley
• A serving of quinoa and butternut squash gratin
• A dish of brown rice pudding