Question

Betty's New Year's resolution was to improve her diet. She decided to start eating whole grain breads, pastas, and rice rather than their refined counterparts. What difference will eating whole grains make on Betty's diet?

1) There is no difference between the two products because the federal enrichment project requires refined products be fortified with all of the lacking nutrients
2) She will consume more iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate
3) She will consume more nutrients, fiber, and healthful unsaturated fats

Answer 1

Betty will benefit from eating whole grains as they are richer in nutrients, dietary fiber, and healthful fats, which contribute to improved health and reduced disease risk. Whole grains contain components like bran and germ that are removed in refined grains, even though some nutrients may be added back to enriched products.

Step-by-step explanation:

Eating whole grains instead of refined grains can make a significant difference in Betty's diet. Whole grains contain more nutrients, dietary fiber, and healthful unsaturated fats compared to their refined counterparts. These components are crucial for maintaining a healthy digestive system, providing long-lasting energy, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Despite fortification efforts, refined grains may not provide the same health benefits as whole grains, which retain all parts of the grain kernel -- the bran, germ, and endosperm.

Whole grains also contribute a variety of essential nutrients including iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate that are often lost in the refining process. Even though refined grains are often enriched with some of these nutrients after processing, they do not always match the nutritional profile of whole grains. Additionally, the fiber content is especially lower in refined grains, which is crucial for digestive health and can contribute to better weight management.