Here's something I always wanted to ask Mom...

"Does eating Whole Grains REALLY make a health difference? Or is it just hype being sold by General Mills to sell more oatmeal? What gives?"

Wow! Turns out Mom was right after all. All grains are not created equal. Whole grains are rich in soluble fiber. This helps reduce the bad kind of cholesterol in the blood. The fiber in whole grains also helps keep the digestive track in shape. And whole grains give people that feeling of fullness after eating, so it can actually help you shed some weight to squeeze into the summer bikini. If all that didn't already convince you, whole grains are also believed to play a big role in...

Lowering the risk for

certain cancers!

So how does one go about getting enough of these? The key is knowing what counts as whole grain and what doesn't. White bread, white rice and most pasta don't fall into the whole grain category. However here are some that do: Cornmeal, kasha, barley, millet, quinoa and wheat berries do count.

Look for cookbooks or advice at your local health food store. It's not as difficult as you might think. One patient mixes cornmeal into her homemade bread recipes. Another adds barley to wild rice dishes--a combination that works well because both grains have similar cooking times. The options are limitless, but incorporating whole grains takes a little effort, a little planning and usually a little more cooking time--an investment you'll think is worth the trouble. For help coming up with a diet that's right for you, please call our offices and we'll get you on the right track. We will also be happy to review your overall health approach and can make useful suggestions to increasing energy, flexibility, and of course, pain-related assistance. We're here to help make you the healthiest person you can be, but we can only help you if you call. Be well!