The US Department of Health and Human Services has designated more than 200 different health topics that each have a day, week or month dedicated for awareness of that topic. September has 31 different topics.
(As time allows throughout the year, Health Services will try to identify subjects that may be of interest to the campus community and provide information about them.)
First up: Whole Grains Month
Whole Grains Month is sponsored by the Whole Grains Council, which is based in Boston. According to the Whole Grains Council Web site, whole grains are defined as:
Whole grains or foods made from them that contain all the essential parts and naturally-occurring nutrients of the entire grain seed. (If the grain has been processed — e.g., cracked, crushed, rolled, extruded, and/or cooked, the food product should deliver approximately the same rich balance of nutrients that are found in the original grain seed.)
When possible choose whole grain products rather than products with refined grains. As most of you know, whole grains can be found in whole wheat, oatmeal and Brown rice, wild rice, bulgur, millet, popcorn and barley. There are many common sources of whole grain such as cereals, breads and pastas, but you must be vigilant about checking ingredients in foods.
Make sure that the word “whole” appears on the ingredient list and that the whole grain is among the first ingredients on the list. Try to find items that offer at least 3 grams of dietary fiber per serving.
It is general-newsly accepted that fiber in whole grains is important in the prevention of heart disease, diverticulosis and colon cancer. In addition, the vitamins and minerals in whole grains aid in strengthening bones and teeth and there is also scientific indication that they aid in the development of a good immune system.
The Whole Grain Council will send a discount coupon for a whole grain product to everyone who contacts them during September. In addition, all those contacting the Council will be entered in a contest that will give the winner a whole grain gift basket.
To learn more about whole grains or to enter the contest, you can access the Whole Grains Council Web site at:
http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/get-involved/celebrate-whole-grains-month-in-september
For other information on good nutrition and eating habits visit the CDC or USDA websites:
http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/foodgroups.html
Published: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 by d.gardner