Grain Foods Foundation

Happy Thanksgiving! What #grainfoods are represented on your table as you feast with family and friends today? It’s important to remember that both enriched and whole grains are necessary and productive for a healthy diet! Grains tend to pair well with other nutrient-dense foods and keep good company on a table full of laughter, stories and giving thanks. #thanksgiving2024

Love this delicious and nutritious Thanksgiving breakfast idea from our GFF Champion, Andrea Mathis! What grain foods will you be starting the holiday off with?

We’re geeking out on grains! Especially when they’re vital to help our bodies kick off the day on the right foot. Nutrition advice can be overwhelming, with new headlines regularly touting the dangers of one food, and the life saving benefits of another. The benefits may sound appealing, but when we cut out entire food groups we put our health at risk by lowering the likelihood of achieving adequate nutrient intakes. Fortunately, over here in the real world, we know to tune out that noise and instead focus on evidence-based nutrition advice. Read more about our focus on Grains: The Ultimate Variety Pack: https://buff.ly/4elvECf

Studying for finals? Working toward an end-of-the-year wrap up? Brushing up on trivia skills for family gatherings this holiday season? Getting those grains in during the morning actually helps get that brain a-firing. Studies show that having a balanced breakfast actually improves behavioral performance, allowing individuals to find creative solutions, collaborate with each other, and be willing to learn. In one particular study, alertness increased with all breakfast types, but those who ate higher fiber and carbohydrate-rich breakfasts had higher and more sustained alertness. The lesson? Don’t skip the grains! Learn more: https://buff.ly/4e9KP0g

Foods we eat can have an impact on our health, but despite the common assumptions that #grainfoods are associated with a higher risk of #diabetes, a commentary written by Glenn Gaesser, Ph.D., found that there is no correlation between consuming refined grains and an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Read more here: https://buff.ly/3YBYXtD #diabetes #nationaldiabetesmonth

What is a macronutrient and why is it important to start your morning with them? Take a deeper dive into the science behind why our bodies need carbohydrates, protein and fat, especially for our first meal or snack of the day. ?????? We’ll meet you there: https://buff.ly/4e9KP0g #grainfoods #macronutrients #carbsintheam #carbsforbreakfast

First Wednesday Fresh Takes is back - will we be seeing you this Wednesday? Join us on November 6 at 2pm ET as Shelley Maniscalco, MPH, RDN, of Nutrition in Demand walks us through the latest from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans committee meetings and what that means for grain foods. Check your inbox for the Zoom link to join!

A balanced meal or snack to start the day is so important to energy levels, alertness, focus and so much more! Check out these delicious ideas from our GFF Champion, Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND, for getting your grains in ?????? #CarbsintheAM #GrainFoods

We heard that National Football League (NFL) players eat at least 80,000 crustless PB&Js a year! This fun fact showcases how macronutrients – aka carbohydrates, protein and fat - work together to fuel our bodies! Whether it be for “The Big Game” or just a walk around the neighborhood, grain foods are an essential part of helping us stay full and energized. We recommend a fun sandwich cutter/sealer to make your own crustless PB&Js at home, but a cookie cutter (or knife) will do just fine. Learn more about how carbohydrates offer our bodies with quality fuel and energy here: https://lnkd.in/er9JuXCJ

Both enrichment and fortification of #grainfoods are beneficial to a well-balanced, nutritious diet. In fact, fortification was originally instituted in the United States as a public health initiative to help combat nutrient deficiencies in the population. The policy of fortifying flour with folic acid has contributed to a reduction of infants born with neural tube defects. A large selection of refined, partially whole grain foods, particularly ready-to-eat cereals and breads, are significant sources for several shortfall nutrients, including folate, iron, magnesium and dietary fiber. These are nutrients Americans need more of – and taking grain foods out of the diet means Americans are getting even less of these important and good-for-us vitamins, minerals and fiber. To learn more, visit us at https://buff.ly/47V3Kuf.