You already know that whole grains are a required part of school meals. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans specifies grains are a core element of a healthy diet, and that half of all grains we eat should be whole grains.¹ That’s why you devote a fair amount of time to getting whole grain-rich foods into the hands of busy students.
Grains are made of three parts — bran, germ, and endosperm. When all three parts are intact, that’s a whole grain. Think cereal, granola, and popcorn. Whole grains are recommended for kids and adults alike. But do you know why?
Although individual grains are small, the USDA notes they have big nutritional value, including complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients are necessary to keep our bodies moving.²
The potential health benefits really stack up with whole grains. Mayo Clinic reports the benefits of whole grains can help your body by:
With whole grains, your K-12 kitchen can supply satisfying and on-trend foods for students, and fast, easy options for your team to prepare. Our whole grain-rich a la carte portfolio offers a variety of single-serve products you can feel good about serving — whether as part of a balanced meal or as grab-n-go snacks, including:
Share these resources with your students to help get them up to speed on this important part of their diet.
The Whole Story on Whole Grains table tent and poster
How Do You Grab-n-Grains social story
¹Agriculture, U. S. D. O., & Agriculture, U. S. D. O. (2023). Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020 - 2025.²USDA MyPlate Grains Group – one of the five food groups. (n.d.). https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/grains ³Whole grains: Hearty options for a healthy diet. (2022, December 10). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/whole-grains/art-20047826