Whole Wheat VS. Whole Grain

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Whole Wheat VS. Whole Grain
14
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 2:38pm
Ok, guys, this post is to clear up any confusion about Whole Wheat and Whole Grain as this has been a discussion on this board many many times. I work at a small flour mill in Texas and have checked my information with the President of our company and the Research and Development Department to make sure that the info I am sharing is in fact correct. So, here goes:

Whole Wheat is the same as Whole Grain. For something to be labeled as Whole Wheat or to list Whole Wheat in the ingredients they must grind the entire wheat kernel without adding to or taking away from the original kernel. Whole grain is the same thing, only it applies to different kinds of grain. This is a federal regulation. Whole Wheat is not the same as Wheat Bread or Wheat flour. It must have the word "Whole" in it for it to mean what we want. I even go so far as to make sure it says "100% Whole Wheat" for my bread purchases.

So, we have:

White bread: made with white flour - bad

Wheat bread: usually made with half white and half whole wheat flour - still bad

Whole Wheat bread: made with Whole Wheat flour that is ground from the entire Wheat Kernel - Good

Whole Grain bread: made with a flour that consists of some kind of whole grain be it Wheat, Rye, etc. - good

Sprouted Grain Bread: made with Wheat kernels that have been soaked in water until sprouting occurs, we must still make sure this says Whole Wheat or Whole Grain on the package - good

I hope this helps clear things up, and I hope it doesn't sound preachy. I just figured I should take the time to explain what I know. :-)


Michelle

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 2:47pm
Sorry Beachgirl. I just realized that this discussion title is almost exactly the same as yours. Please forgive me!


Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 2:49pm
WAHOO!
MelMel
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-08-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 3:04pm
Not a problem, Michelle!

Maggie  

"Success is a journey, not a destination"

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 3:07pm

Ok, since both of you have info on this subject, I would like to add either one to the site to help others in the future with this "problem".


Now, which one is correct or should I say which one should I use?

Cleo the Fox TerrierSam the Black Lab
Mel
MelMel
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 3:16pm

"Now, which one is correct or should I say which one should I use?"


Yes, those are really 2 different questions.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 3:18pm
EXACTLY!
Cleo the Fox TerrierSam the Black Lab
Mel
MelMel
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 3:25pm
No problem. :-)

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2004
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 3:29pm
when my mother was doing ww and losing weight, she would often ask chain bakeries and bagel shops (like au bon pain and panera) if their "whole wheat" bread and bagels contained whole wheat grains, or enriched/milled wheat flour. most places said that they didn't have whole grains in the bread. however, certain breads they made, like the 9-grain bread, were definately whole grain. my rule of thumb has always been when i'm eating out, or at a place like that, get the bread that says 9-grain or whole grain instead of whole wheat, because commercial whole wheat bread is usually full of sugar. when you are in the grocery, it is easy to look at the ingredients on the bagel or bread package. this is just my way of solving the problem, it doesn't have to be everybody's, maybe the whole wheat bagels at einstein bros. are fine, but i would rather have a whole/9-grain and be safe about it. hope this helps!!

tess

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 4:41pm

Now, which one is correct or should I say which one should I use?


Well.... I'm not doubting that the information from the mill is accurate, but since we are following South Beach diet, I'm leaning towards following what the good doctor recommends.

Susan :)

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2003
Fri, 01-09-2004 - 4:51pm

LOL!

MelMel

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