Promoting greater grains consumption through the Wheat Checkoff

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Prairie Grains is the official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat, Inc., and the Minnesota Barley Growers Association.

American’s are still not getting enough of the foods needed for a healthy diet, according to recent findings from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s "Healthy Eating Index, 1994-96." To ingrain about the importance of consuming a grain-based diet, the WFC late last year sent the news release "Americans’ Diets Improve — But Still Fall Short of Food Guide Pyramid Recommendations" to 100 health and nutrition editors across the country.

The report showed that Americans’ overall Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score was 63.8, up from 63.6 in 1994. (An HEI score of 80 or higher implies a "good" diet, 51 to 80 implies that a diet "needs improvement" and a score of less than 51 implies a "poor" diet.)

Within the index, each component received a score between zero and 10. Grain foods scored 6.7, up from 6.6 in 1994 and higher than vegetables (6.3), fruits (3.8), milk (5.4) or meat (6.4). The higher the score, the closer the intake is to the recommended amount.

Adams: Dietary change need not be drastic

The average American’s eating habits don’t represent a typical pyramid, but rather a top-heavy pyramid. The report illustrated that Americans are barely hitting the minimum daily consumption of grains and vegetables and are not getting the minimum fruit requirements. Most people consume an average of six and two-thirds servings of grain foods each day when the Food Guide Pyramid recommends six to 11. What’s more, we’re getting only three and one-thirds servings of vegetables and one and one-half servings of fruit, when we should be enjoying three to five and two to four servings in each category, respectively.

Judi Adams, M.S., R.D., and WFC president, believes the total HEI score could vastly improve by making small changes, such as eating more low-fat, nutrient-rich grain foods, fruits and vegetables.

"It’s encouraging to see the overall picture of Americans’ eating habits is improving," says Adams. "By following the Food Guide Pyramid recommendations to eat more foods from the base of the Pyramid - grains foods, fruits and vegetables - rather than filling up on fats and sweets, Americans can enjoy a healthier lifestyle and improved HEI scores."

By using the Food Guide Pyramid as a partner in meal planning, Americans can ensure they’re getting the recommended servings of grain foods such as bread, pasta, cereal and tortillas, and fruits and vegetables to make it through the day. What’s more, the grain foods category provides the energy needed to meet daily demands and essential minerals and vitamins such as folic acid for wellness. With a few modifications and enjoying more from the base of the pyramid, Americans can get and stay on the right track for a healthy life.

So what’s a Serving?

For the Grains Group (6 - 11 servings recommended daily) 1 serving is: •1 slice of bread •½ hamburger bun or submarine roll •1 croissant •½ cup cooked pasta, cooked cereal or rice •1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal (this can range from ¼ cup to 1¾ cup depending on the density of cereal) •1 small tortilla •1 four-inch pancake •½ bagel •1 waffle •1 slice of pizza •4 saltine or graham crackers.

Canadians consume less grain than Americans

Judi Adams spoke at the 3rd annual "Moving Up Market" seminar in Winnipeg, Canada, recently, discussing the WFC’s progress in the U.S. market to increase consumption of grain-based foods. Canada currently does not have a generic promotional association similar to the WFC, but there is interest in organizing one. Although there is controversy about the domestic consumption numbers for Canada, it appears they consume considerably less wheat flour than the U.S.; possibly as much as 18 pounds less per capita, per year. Increased consumption in Canada will help producers in both nations.

Dispelling false claims

One major ongoing task of the WFC is counteracting misinformation that may hurt the continuing increased consumption of carbohydrate foods. These include the high- protein diet fad (media coverage of these fad diets is up 42%, according to Margie Martin, North Dakota Wheat Commission product promotion specialist); confusion between simple and complex carbohydrates; and recent bad publicity for refined carbohydrates.

Bread feature touts dinnertime bonding

Creating long-lasting family traditions is the theme for the Wheat Foods Council and American Bakers Association’s Family Feature bread page. Distributed to 1,400 newspaper editors nationwide before Thanksgiving, the "Breaking Bread — Healthful Family Traditions" feature included a question and answer section about bread and grain foods and bread recipes.