Easy Peasy Tip: Choose Whole Grains

Easy Peasy Tips are simple actions you can take each week to make small shifts to more plant-centered eating that lead to big gains over time. When you’re making changes, it may take a few times to get your taste buds shifted to new flavors, but once you’ve rounded the bend, it’s easy peasy to enjoy!

Eating more plant-based isn't just about shifting to more fruits and vegetables, it's also about getting the most out of the plant foods you're eating by shifting to whole foods and those that are minimally processed. For this Easy Peasy Tip, start to keep an eye out for areas where you can make choices that are focused around whole grains rather than refined - like brown rice, rather than white. Or brown rice or whole wheat pasta, rather than white. Or steel cut or rolled oats rather than quick cooking. Or whole grain or wheat bread rather than white bread. You get the idea. Bringing whole grains to the top of your mind at the grocery store or when eating out can help you experiment with foods that give you more fiber and nutrients.  

When grains are processed down to their refined versions, you're getting a whole lot more of just part of the plant than you would naturally eat, rather than including more of the grain's super nutritious parts (and really a good chunk of the fiber) that bring more balance to the grain and more of what your body is looking for. Generally speaking, when you're getting more of just one part of a plant than may be natural in one sitting, the health benefits chip away little by little. So shift towards whole grains that are closer to nature!