If you are like a lot of parents I talk to, you are looking for ways to add more whole grains to your family’s diet. After all, whole grains contain all parts of the naturally occurring grain including the endosperm, nutrient-rich germ (think selenium, magnesium and copper) and fiber-rich bran while refined grains, remove the germ and bran leaving only the starchy endosperm.
And kids aren’t getting enough.
The good news is there are more whole grain products than ever to choose from. Manufacturers have gotten really good at keeping the grain “whole” without giving up texture and taste. But the question remains: how do you know you are really getting whole grains?
The Whole Grain Stamp to the Rescue:
The Whole Grains Council has devised a handy stamp that is being used on many products. The stamp reveals how many grams are actually in the product. A serving of whole grains contains 16 grams (16g) making the daily goal 48g (3 servings per day).
If a product has the 100% Stamp, then you know that all of the ingredients are whole grains with a minimum of 16g per serving. The Basic Stamp contains at least 8g (half serving) but may also contain some refined grain.
If you can’t find the stamp, look for telling claims like “100 percent whole grain” and then peak at the ingredient line to see if whole grains are the first ingredient: “whole wheat, whole oats, whole barley, brown rice.”
Watch out for terms like “made with whole grain” meaning it only needs 10% of the 16g serving or “multi-grain” meaning there are multiple grains (not necessarily whole grains). Have some fun and search your favorite products to see if they have the whole grain stamp and how many grams they contain.
Whole Grain Examples and Giveaway
We have some awesome whole grain products to highlight and giveaway!
First we have Home Free, makers a line of tasty wholesome treats that are perfect for families dealing with food allergies. All of their products are free of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and dairy and some are even gluten-free; they are also a good source of whole grains. They are giving away a box of Homefree cookies with some coupons. To give you an idea the Chocolate, Chocolate Chips have 10g of whole grain, the regular Chocolate Chips Cookies have 11g and the Oatmeal have 12g.
Next Mestamacher’s extensive line of whole grain breads including Pumpernickel, Whole Rye, Three Grain, Sunflower Seed, Whole Rye with Muesli and Fitness Bread. All of the varieties are wheat-free except for the Fitness Bread. These Organic Mestamacher breads are baked without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and are high in fiber, low in fat, cholesterol-free and have received the Whole Grain Council’s Stamp of “100 % Excellent Source of Whole Grain.” They will be sending 4 loaves to one lucky winner.
Attune Foods is giving away 4 boxes of cereals from their Erewhon and Uncle Sam’s Line. Erewhon cereals (pronounced Air-wahn) is made with brown rice—a healthy “krispie” cereal, and organic and gluten-free and range from 21-41g whole grains per serving. All of the Uncle Sam cereals contain the 100% Stamp with 35- 43g of whole grains per serving containing red winter wheat berries and flaxseeds.
Dr. Kracker has a line of delicious of whole grain crackers and crisp breads that will knock your socks off. Some of their crisp breads which include flavors like Apple Crisp (21g), Hummus Maximus (19g) and Fire Roasted Tomato (11g). One winner will receive a 4-pack of Crispbread crackers including Seedlander, Seeded Spelt, Klassic 3 Seed and Pumpkin Cheddar.
So there will be 4 lucky winners. And better yet, Jill is giving away the same stuff over at her site so you can double your chance of winning! Here’s what you need to do to enter the giveaway:
1) Mandatory entry: Leave a comment saying why you want to win one of these products.
2) For another entry “Like” Fearless Feeding on Facebook or if you already Like us, tell some of our FB friends about it. Leave another comment saying what you did.
3) For another entry, tweet this post or share this post on Facebook. Leave another comment.
4) For a third entry, sign up for Raise Healthy Eaters’ Updates or RSS Feed. If you already subscribe, tell at least one friend about Raise Healthy Eaters. Leave another comment saying what you did.
We will choose winners one week from today by midnight, February 23rd using random.org. Good luck!
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Great article. The Whole Grains Council is a great resource, and I didn’t realize that they are making these stamps. They will go a long way in preventing well-meaning parents from buying foods with packaging that says “Wheat”, thinking that that means that it is 100% whole grain.
Whole grains are great, but you can take the next step by feeding your child high-antioxidant whole grains. Whole grains vary widely in the amount of antioxidants they have (although they are always higher than refined grains). Check out this blog article that I wrote on how to identify and use high-antioxidant whole grains: http://smartparentprogram.blogspot.com/2012/02/use-high-antioxidant-grains-for-cooking.html
I am trying to eat more “good for y0u” foods and this prize would help start me on that path.
I would love to use these products as healthy snacks.
I’m always looking for more ways for my family to eat healthy and these products hit the mark.
I already subscribe, so I emailed 6 friends to share this blog.
I like both pages already and would like to try these products!
I would love to win the HomeFree giveaway. My 5 y/o son suffers from a severe peanut allergy and this would be a perfect treat for him. We haven’t had the opportunity to try this brand yet.
I shared this giveaway by Tweeting about it on Twitter.
I also shared this giveaway by sharing it on Facebook.
I LIKED Fearless Feeding on Facebook.
My kids tried the cookies once and absolutely loved them. They have peanut allergies and are gf/df
My family and I try to eat as healthy as we can, and all natural products. These snacks fit perfectly into our lifestyle and I would love to give them a try. They sound amazing and delish! thanks for the chance!
I shared this giveaway on twitter!
I like fearless feeding on facebook
I would love to win so that I can try some of these new gluten free products and my son wants me to win so he can eat the rest!
I like fearless feeding on facebook
I shared on facebook
I definitely want to win the cereal!
Liked on Facebook.
Shared on Facebook.
Subscribed.
These look great!
I would like to win one of these produst because I love natural, healthy foods!
I liked Fearless Feeding on Facebook!
I shared on Facebook!
I would love to win this. My husband and I are trying to eat healthier foods- we already have mostly gotten rid of the refined sugar and processed foods. We love our whole grain cereal but would love to try new products.
I liked Fearless Feeding on Facebook.
I shared this post on Facebook.
I signed up for the updates.
I always love Attune Foods, and this sounds great!
e-mail subscriber to Raise Healthy Eaters!
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/ruthhill74/status/172195861735030784
I’ve never heard of any of these products but am always on the lookout for new healthy food options. Would love to try these out and introduce them to my family!
It’s so hard to find products offer a good serving of grains and that are both gluten free and still yummy. Some of these look like they’d fit the bill though! We’d love to try them.
I’m a FB fan of Fearless Eating.
I subscribe to your rss. Thanks!
Grains, especially whole grains, are an essential part of a healthy diet. Eating a variety of whole grains not only ensures that you get more health-promoting nutrients but also helps make your meals and snacks more interesting.