When the label says “Whole Grain Bread,” does that mean it’s healthful? How can you tell if a food is made from whole grains or refined grains?
It’s not always easy, but here are a few tips. Remember that the germ of a grain seed will go rancid very quickly after the seed is broken open unless it is cooked immediately. Many whole-grain breakfast cereals such as oatmeal, shredded wheat, puffed wheat, and “quick cooking” whole grain products such as bulgur or instant brown rice, are steamed, toasted, or otherwise cooked as soon as the seed is broken, so there is no need to remove the germ. These products usually contain the whole grain.
