MSNBC reports that the moves by various manufacturers to put whole grains into new and existing products is actually creating some issues for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is charged with defining what whole grain products are. Right now, regulations say that products must have only whole-wheat flour to be labeled as “whole wheat.” But FDA has been petitioned for a clarification of the rules.
On the face of it, these products would seem to be consistent with new food pyramid recommendations made by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) that people make whole grains at least half of their daily grain consumption.
Some products – like the new Wonder Bread that is made from whole grains but retains its overall squishiness – are specifically designed to sneak whole grains into kid’s diets. But the problem seems to be that some whole grains – like Ultragrain White Whole Wheat, developed by ConAgra – are being decried as being more marketing effort than nutritional advance.
On the face of it, these products would seem to be consistent with new food pyramid recommendations made by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) that people make whole grains at least half of their daily grain consumption.
Some products – like the new Wonder Bread that is made from whole grains but retains its overall squishiness – are specifically designed to sneak whole grains into kid’s diets. But the problem seems to be that some whole grains – like Ultragrain White Whole Wheat, developed by ConAgra – are being decried as being more marketing effort than nutritional advance.
- KC's View:
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Several things seem to be absolutely certain.
One is that more people will want to eat a diet rich in whole grains than wanted to cut carbs out of their diets.
Another is that people will go overboard, and that eventually whole grains will be criticized for not being healthful enough – not because they are bad for you, but because too many people ate too many of them, not understanding that balance and moderation are the most important parts of a healthful diet.
The good news is that these misguided souls give us something to write about.
