The Case for Refined Grains in a Balanced Diet Although consumption of whole grains is the ideal, the reality is that most people prefer foods made with refined grains. The push to eat more whole grains is good, but whole grain consumption should not be marketed at the expense of health-promoting food products made from enriched refined cereal grains. With the exception of fiber, enriched or fortified refined grain products have nutrition profiles similar to their whole grain counterparts, contributing protein, B vitamins, iron, calcium, and many other nutrients to our diets. In addition, the vitamins and minerals added as enrichment are readily absorbed by the body—some are even more available than in the forms found naturally in the food. Finally, in a recent review of relevant articles, no association between consumption of food products made with refined grains and cardiovascular disease, weight gain, diabetes, or overall mortality was identified. |