Whole Grain Sampling Day

Whole Grains Sampling Day is here again! I can' hardly believe that it's been year already. I am so excited to be partnering with the Whole Grains Council as a whole grain ambassador again this year. You may have seen glimpses of my family enjoying some amazing products packed with whole grains over the past couple of months, both new-to-us foods and some old favorites. We've been so excited to add some new favorites to our pantry!

So yes, whole grains are good for you; they're healthy. But what so many people don't realize, is that they can also be utterly delicious. I love "meaty", nutty whole grains like steel-cut oats, farro, and brown rice. My family's favorite snack is popcorn. Wheat Thins and Triscuits are almost always on my shopping list. Cereal, both hot and cold...whole grain bread...cookies...baking mixes...some of the flours lining my shelves...all whole grains.

If ever you're in doubt, just check your box or package for the Whole Grains Council stamp (scroll down a bit and you'll see an example - it's yellow). Adding whole grains to your diet is simple. And my guess is, you may already be eating whole grains on a regular basis and not even know it.

Sample Whole Grains + a "Whole Grain Toast"

This coming Wednesday (April 3rd) is Whole Grain Sampling Day.  If you hang out with me in places like Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook, you've probably noticed that I've been sampling all sorts of whole grain foods lately.  We eat our fair share of whole grains in this house - some of my favorites being farro, wheat berries, brown rice, and steel cut oats.  I love the extra texture whole grains add to a dish (mmmm...chewy) and the nutty flavor of them, as well.

And while that chewiness and nuttiness are important, there are so many other great reasons to add more whole grains to your diet.  Whole grains are grains in which the bran and the germ are kept intact (they are removed when the grain is refined), keeping the beneficial fiber and B vitamins found in the bran and the antioxidants found in the germ.