by According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Boston, whole grains were not stripped of their nutrients during processing.
Whole grains can also provide a good balance of protein and carbohydrates, Diekman said.
From a weight loss perspective, these foods contain fiber.
“Fiber fills you up, so your blood sugar curve doesn’t go down as quickly, so you don’t feel the need to eat as often,” Diekman explained.
The choices in this category can vary greatly. There are lesser-known grains such as quinoa, millet or bulgur, but also well-known whole grain breads and pastas, brown rice and oatmeal.
Oatmeal was recently praised by the American Heart Association.
“It has many, many good properties,” said Candida Rebello, director of the nutrition and chronic disease research program at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
In addition to having heart health benefits, oats are also good for weight management because their fiber thickens in water and helps a person feel fuller for longer.
“When you look at the whole grains, the key is enjoyment,” Diekman said. Someone might read that a certain grain is the best, but “if you don’t like that food, it won’t work for you.”
