THE RUNDOWN ON WHOLE-GRAINS
LABELS
To check the whole-grains content of packaged foods,
I recommend looking for one of the stamps from the
Whole Grains Council.
ONES TO PAY ATTENTION TO:
100% Whole Grain: Of the grain in the product, all of it is
whole grain. Must have a minimum of 16 grams per serving,
which is equivalent to one serving of whole grains.
50%+ Whole Grain: Of the grain in the product, at least half
is whole grain. Must have a minimum of 8 grams per serving,
equivalent to a half serving of whole grains.
Whole Grain: Of the grain in the product, less than half is
whole grain. The most basic stamp, it also must provide at
least 8 grams of whole grains per serving, but proportionally
it might be more refined grain than whole.
ONES TO IGNORE:
Multigrain: Too hard to tell. It could mean a mix of whole
grains, a mix of refined grains, or a mix of some number of
each, but since the label alone doesn’t indicate one way or
another, it’s best not to make much of this one.
Made with Whole Grain: Again, too ambiguous. This label
doesn’t set any threshold for how much of the grain is whole,
so it could be just trace amounts.
34 how to be a Conscious Eater