Grains are one of the most controversial food groups and the role they play in a healthy, balanced diet often tend to be questioned. The reality is that whole grains are an integral part of a healthy diet.

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines are research-based recommendations that promote the most nutritious way of eating for Americans. The most recent guidelines state that grains are essential for healthy eating patterns and recommended that adults include three servings of whole grains into their daily diet.

Whole grains are grains that are intact from harvest. No processing has been done to alter the grain, unlike more commonly consumed refined grains. Refined grains go through processing after harvest to remove the fibrous parts of the grain for a softer, more usable texture in foods. In this refining process, the grains lose much of their nutrition (iron and B vitamins), which makes refined grains less healthy.