What is the meaning of the term whole grain?

What is the meaning of the term whole grain? - Bunch of Nuts Served on Bowls

Often I have read that whole grains are healthy.
So, what is a whole grain and what is a non-whole grain?

The Pasta I have says "Durum wheat" as the ingredient. What should I understand by that?



Best Answer

Graphics and quoted text from: Whole Grains Council

Grains, by definition, have 3 major parts: the germ, the endosperm, and the bran.

1

Whole grains are those that have all of the parts of the natural seed, or kernel (not including an exterior husk that is generally inedible).

To be called "Whole Grain" the product must still have all of the bran, endosperm and germ that it had when it was in the field, although it can milled, ground, cracked, natural, whatever...as long as it still has all of its parts.

If a food label states that the package contains whole grain, the "whole grain" part of the food inside the package is required to have the same proportions of bran, germ, and endosperm as the harvested kernel does before it is processed.

Refining normally removes the bran and the germ, leaving only the endosperm. Without the bran and germ, about 25% of a grain’s protein is lost, along with at least seventeen key nutrients. Processors add back some vitamins and minerals to enrich refined grains, so refined products still contribute valuable nutrients.

This graphic shows what's lost when wheat is refined, and what's added back when it's "enriched":

2

Durum is just a variety of wheat. Unless it specifically says "whole wheat" or "whole grain", you can assume that it is refined.




Pictures about "What is the meaning of the term whole grain?"

What is the meaning of the term whole grain? - Brown Nut Lot
What is the meaning of the term whole grain? - Close-Up View Of Seeds
What is the meaning of the term whole grain? - Ripe whole and halved pomegranates with red seeds placed on gray background in studio



Quick Answer about "What is the meaning of the term whole grain?"

Whole grains or foods made from them contain all the essential parts and naturally-occurring nutrients of the entire grain seed in their original proportions.

What does the term whole grain refer to?

All grains start life as whole grains. A grain is considered to be a whole grain as long as all three original parts \u2014 the bran, germ, and endosperm \u2014 are still present in the same proportions as when the grain was growing in the \ufb01elds.

What are whole grain foods?

Here are 14 healthy whole-grain foods.
  • Whole Oats. Share on Pinterest. ...
  • Whole Wheat. Whole wheat is a popular and incredibly versatile cereal grain. ...
  • Whole-Grain Rye. Rye is a member of the wheat family and has been consumed for centuries. ...
  • Buckwheat. ...
  • Bulgur Wheat (Cracked Wheat) ...
  • Millet. ...
  • Whole Barley. ...
  • Spelt.




Whole grain: What you need to know




More answers regarding what is the meaning of the term whole grain?

Answer 2

Whole grain refers to any grain where the whole grain is used - that is, the germ (the reproductive part of the seed), the endosperm (the 'flesh' of the grain) and the bran (the skin).

Non whole grain usually means the bran has been removed.

This is really a whole other question, but 'durum wheat' is merely the variety of wheat used to make the pasta.

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Mike, Mike, cottonbro, Any Lane