What must be a primary ingredient for a cereal to qualify as a good source of whole grains?
Whole wheat, whole oats, or bran
The qualification of a cereal as a genuine source of whole grains relies heavily on the ingredient list declaration, specifically examining the components listed at the beginning. For a cereal to truly offer the benefits associated with whole grains, one of the very first ingredients must be an unprocessed grain source. This includes ingredients like whole wheat, which retains its bran, germ, and endosperm; whole oats; or bran derived from these grains. If the initial ingredients listed are refined grains, such as white flour or degerminated cornmeal, it signifies that the processing has removed significant nutritional value, stripping away much of the inherent fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals, which leads to faster digestion and a potentially unfavorable impact on blood sugar levels.
