How to fit more whole grains into your day (including a sample meal plan)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WholeGrainWholeDay #CollectiveBias

Did you know there is a recommended amount of whole grains you should eat each day? Well there is…48 grams of whole grains each day. But don’t worry, I’ll show you how you and your kids can easily consume that much and more, and most importantly, enjoy it!

It’s no surprise I’m talking about whole grains once again. Whole grains are such an important part of a healthy diet and easy to include in your daily meals and snacks.  Research shows that including whole grains as part of a balanced diet can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

You may be thinking that since you or your children don’t like whole wheat bread or whole grain pasta that there is no way you’ll be able to consume that many whole grains. But I’m hear to tell you it’s very possible and delicious too! It’s likely that you are eating foods that are whole grain that you’re not even aware of. Whole grains include foods like brown rice, brown rice flour, rolled oats and oatmeal (including old-fashioned, quick-cooking, and instant oatmeal), wild rice, bulgur, whole grain barley, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, graham flour, whole grain flour, whole wheat flour, whole durum wheat flour and whole grain corn (this list is not inclusive).

Now here’s a sample meal plan to show you how to consume at least 48 grams of whole grains and enjoy it!

1 Day Meal Plan featuring whole grains

Breakfast: Whole grain cereal with skim milk and a banana OR belVita biscuits, golden oat (19 grams), skim milk and a banana 

This is sometimes how I enjoy part of my breakfast…at the splash park while the kiddos burn some energy. And believe me, they have a TON of energy.

Snack: Honey Maid Dippers (8 grams) with a cheese stick and sliced peppers

With the easy to-go Honey Maid Dippers, these snacks are perfect for on the go!

Lunch: Cheese and turkey slices with TRISCUIT crackers (24 grams for 6 crackers), OR Wheat Thins (21 grams for 16 crackers), fresh fruit, carrots and hummus

Snack: vanilla yogurt with Teddy Grahams, chocolate (8 grams for 24 pieces)

My daughter thinks this snack is one of the best, can you tell?!

Dinner: One-Pot Kale Pasta (with whole grain pasta, 56 grams) roasted broccoli, whole grain roll 

Snack: Fig Newtons, blueberry (7 grams) because sometimes you want to treat yourself 🙂

Obviously, this meal plan has much more than the minimum recommendation of 48 grams whole grains. I created it this way to show you how you can easily incorporate whole grains into your day.  So keep in mind: whole grains for a whole day is simpler than you think and these Nabisco products can help make it happen. If you’d like to find out how to incorporate more of these whole grains in your diet, check out this link. I found all these products in the crackers/cookies aisle at Walmart.  There is also an in-store demo at select Walmart locations 8/11-8/12.

This How to fit more whole grains into your day (including a sample meal plan) post first appeared on Chocolate Slopes.

© 2016 Kristy Hegner  Disclosure and Privacy Policy