Myth: All products made with whole grain are high in fiber.
Myth:
The fiber content is a good indicator of whether or not a product is whole grain.
Fact: The above myths are common misconceptions about whole grain and fiber.
The important point to remember when it comes to these two areas is that
fiber and whole grain are not the same.
Why? Different types of whole grain (wheat, oats, corn, rice, barley, etc.) have
different amounts of fiber. The fiber content of different whole grains varies based
on the proportions of bran, germ, and endosperm naturally found in the grain.
Grain foods that are considered “high fiber” may not necessarily be whole grain.
For example, many high-fiber foods, such as bran cereals, get their fiber from the
bran but do not include the nutrient-rich germ portion of the grain.
Yes, fiber is important for good health, but
fiber is only one of the many nutrients
found in whole grain. While some whole grain foods are not high in fiber, they still
provide the whole grain package with its health promoting benefits.
When you’re searching for whole grain foods in the grocery store, don’t rely on
just the grams of fiber per serving as a clue. Instead, check out the other
information
on the package to help you find whole grain.