ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Whole grain consumption is up 20 percent since 2005, according to a new report from the Make (at least!) Half Your Grains Whole conference held April 20-22, 2009.
Organized by Boston-based non-profit Oldways and the Whole Grains Council, the conference offered the first solid evidence that changes in U.S. Dietary Guidelines and widespread use of the Whole Grain Stamp packaging symbol—both dating from January 2005—have accomplished major changes in consumer behavior.
A double-digit increase in whole grain consumption is compelling and indicates whole grains are moving into the mainstream, according to NPD Group's Joe Derochowski, who presented data from his firm's National Eating Trends survey. However, consumers are enjoying on average only 11 percent of their grains as whole grains, he said.
This falls short of the 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines' recommendation for making half or more of our grains whole. Repeated studies over the past few decades show that those who consume more whole grains reduce their risk of heart disease, strokes, diabetes and some cancers, while also improving their weight control.