95% of Americans Don’t Get Enough Whole Grains

Only 5 percent of Americans get the three full daily servings (at least 48 grams) recommended by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to the recently released General Mills Whole Grain Check-up. The findings also reveal 61 percent of Americans believe they get enough whole grain in their diet, a revelation that may point to a general lack of education in America regarding whole grain.

General Mills conducted the study to better understand American attitudes around whole grain and the gap between the amount of whole grain Americans should be eating and what they are actually consuming.

“With the average person getting a little more than half of a serving of whole grain each day, America’s whole grain gap is a concern," said Susan Crockett, Ph. D, RD, FADA, vice president, Health and Nutrition, and director of the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition at General Mills. “As part of a healthy diet, whole grain can help with diabetes and weight management, as well as reducing the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Ready-to-eat cereal is the leading source of whole grain and packs in vitamins, minerals and key essential nutrients—without packing on calories."

According to the study, 92 percent of Americans know whole grain is important in their diets, and approximately half of respondents specifically shop for whole grain products. However, the study suggests some consumers may be confused about whole grain. For example, only 55 percent of respondents knew how to correctly identify whole grain on a food label. Additionally, 28 percent didn’t understand the difference between “whole grain" and “enriched grain."

Results also showed 81 percent of respondents associate whole grain with breakfast, and 46 percent of consumers think of bread as their primary source of whole grain.

Thirty-five percent cited taste as a barrier to getting more whole grain; 27 percent said price is a barrier; and 24 percent said lack of convenience keeps them from consuming more whole grain.

Seventy-one percent of respondents 55 years old or older believed they are getting enough whole grain, while that number dropped to 47 percent among 18- to 34-year-olds. Results also showed 58 percent of women believing they get enough whole grain in their diets, compared to 64 percent of men.