Sure, fiber is important for kids’ health. And some whole grain cereals provide fiber. But fiber is only part of the whole grain story. There are many other nutrients besides fiber in whole grain. Others include carbohydrates, B vitamins, trace minerals such as iron, zinc and copper, phytonutrients, magnesium and plant sterols.
Whole grain consists of all three parts of the grain — the bran, germ and endosperm. Depending on the proportions of each of these naturally occurring in the grain kernel, the fiber content will vary. While some whole grain foods are not high in fiber, they still provide the whole grain package with all of its important nutrients. Different types of whole grain (wheat, oats, corn, rice, barley, etc.) have different amounts of fiber.
A “high fiber” grain food may not necessarily contain a significant amount of whole grain. For example, many high-fiber foods, such as bran cereals, get their fiber from the bran but do not include the nutrient-rich germ portion of the grain.
Tip: Finding whole grain doesn’t have to be difficult. Just look for the white check for Whole Grain First Ingredient. Whole Grain First Ingredient means all General Mills Big G Kid Cereals have more whole grain than any other single ingredient, containing at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving (at least 48 grams recommended daily).
