Wholegrains – Not Just For Winter!

Sausages and burgers sizzling on the BBQ, lightly tossed green salad, asparagus, strawberries and cream…these are the dishes of summer. Wholegrain foods like porridge, on the other hand are often considered cold weather comfort fare. But in fact, summer is one of the best times to benefit from the goodness of wholegrains, and as the weather gets warmer, it couldn’t be easier to enjoy the recommended 3 servings a day.

For al fresco eating try a wholemeal bagel topped with smoked salmon, or oatcakes, delicious with crumbly Cheshire cheese and crunchy celery. Popcorn too, is a wholegrain food and makes a great alternative to crisps. For more recipes and ideas, including wholesome spicy beanburgers - a perfect replacement for sausages and beefburgers on the BBQ – visit Wholegraingoodness.com

HGCA’s nutritionist Jane Griffin said: “Including wholegrains in our diets is a great way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the summer months and is much easier to do than people realise. Wholegrains are a good source of dietary fibre and also provide protein, B vitamins, vitamin E and minerals, as well as various antioxidants.”

Wholegrain is one of the very few foods to have its health benefits recognised by the official industry body, the Joint Health Claims Initiative, which ensures health claims on foods are both scientifically truthful and legally acceptable. In 2002 the initiative approved the following claim for wholegrain foods: “People with a healthy heart tend to eat more wholegrain foods as part of a healthy lifestyle.”

HGCA has put together a recipe booklet packed full of information about wholegrains and ideas on how to easily incorporate them into everyday meals.