Whole Grains in the Spotlight This Week

If you haven�t added whole grains to your diet yet, it may be easier this week to make the change.   Organized by our own Boston-based, non-profit Oldways and its Whole Grains Council, Wednesday April 2 is the third annual, nationwide Whole Grain Sampling Day.  Their goal is to nudge you along to make at least half of your daily grains servings be whole grain choices such as whole wheat bread and pasta, oats, barley, and popcorn.

According to the Journal of Nutrition, whole grains may help you lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and even better manage your weight.  The most compelling finding among researchers is they don�t exactly know what it is in the whole grains that give them this star quality.  Most likely, it�s a combination of its healthy components, such vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals working, synergistically to provide the health benefits.  

To help in this whole grain crusade, there are numerous area eateries that are showcasing whole grains on their menu:

Dunkin' Donuts is celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day � all week long.  Visit a store between March 31 and April 6 for a Buy-One-Get-One-Free offer on Whole Wheat and Multigrain bagels.   Use the  Dunkin' Donuts mobile app to get this tasty offer.

California Pizza Kitchen will be using social media to talk up their whole grain choices, including whole wheat pizza crust, whole wheat pita, and quinoa-arugula salad.

Bon Me Food Trucks will be promoting their whole grain Vietnamese cuisine featuring rice bowls made with brown rice and soba noodle salads.

Clover Restaurants and Food Trucks will be promoting their fresh and delicious whole grain soups, salads, and pita bread.  Visit them on Facebook and Twitter to see what's cooking on April 2nd.

Happy Whole Grain Sampling Day (Week)!

Be well, Joan

                                                Follow Joan on Twitter at:  joansalgeblake