- Apr 14, 2001
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Checking the fine print in ingredient labels is the only way to tell for sure if you're getting whole grains, because many terms are confusing. The first ingredient on the list should use the word "whole," as in "whole wheat flour." (An exception seems to be oatmeal, which is whole grain but doesn't always say so on the label.) Most 100 percent whole grain breads will say so on the package.
WHOLE GRAIN
On the packaging, these terms mean the foods are partly or entirely whole grain:
-- Whole grain
-- Whole wheat (or rye, corn or oats)
-- Stoneground whole wheat (or other grain)
-- 100% whole grain or whole wheat
NOT WHOLE GRAIN
These commonly used terms are not whole grain:
-- Unbleached flour
-- Wheat flour (or other grain)
-- Enriched flour
-- Semolina
-- 100% pure durum semolina
-- Organic unbleached flour
-- Multigrain (although this could be whole grain; read the ingredients label)
-- Degerminated (on corn meal)
-- Stoned wheat
WHOLE GRAIN
On the packaging, these terms mean the foods are partly or entirely whole grain:
-- Whole grain
-- Whole wheat (or rye, corn or oats)
-- Stoneground whole wheat (or other grain)
-- 100% whole grain or whole wheat
NOT WHOLE GRAIN
These commonly used terms are not whole grain:
-- Unbleached flour
-- Wheat flour (or other grain)
-- Enriched flour
-- Semolina
-- 100% pure durum semolina
-- Organic unbleached flour
-- Multigrain (although this could be whole grain; read the ingredients label)
-- Degerminated (on corn meal)
-- Stoned wheat