When parents think about whole grains, they usually just think about whole wheat bread.

And their kids likely think yuck.

Eating More Whole Grains

It is important to eat whole grains though. In fact, according to the food pyramid, at least half of the grains your kids eat should be whole grains.

Eating whole grains have many health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, constipation, and obesity.

To get your kids to eat more whole grains, it can first help to learn which foods count as whole grains, including:

• brown rice
• oatmeal
• popcorn
  
• many whole grain breakfast cereals
  
• whole wheat bread
  
• whole wheat pasta
  
• whole wheat tortillas

These and some other foods that have 'whole wheat,' '100% whole wheat,' or 'whole oats,' etc. as the first ingredient are whole grain foods.

White bread, white rice, corn tortillas, flour tortillas, and pasta, are made with refined grains, which have much of the fiber, vitamins and nutrients removed. Although some of the vitamins are then added back in, the fiber isn't, and these enriched grains still aren't as healthy as whole grains.

To get your kids used to eating whole grains, start early, introduce a few at a time, and keep trying.

Also visit:
ADHD advice and information
Expert Pediatrician - child health and parenting advice
About Pediatrics - Expert Pediatric Parenting Advice
Father's First Year - read about Dr. Iannelli's new book