Prior to joining the Grain Foods Foundation (GFF), I knew a few basic things about grains: They provide fiber. They are an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods had added Organic Cracked Freekeh to its Grains of Discovery line.

The American Bakers Association and Grain Chain conducted meetings in late May with agency representatives and members of Congress influential to the completion of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines.

Hillshire Brands Co. agrees to acquire Van’s Natural Foods from private equity firm Catterton Partners for $165 million. The purchase would broaden Hillshire’s portfolio of frozen food products and extend the company’s reach into gluten-free products, cereal and snack categories.

A roundtable of leading nutrition experts from the U.S. and Europe recommends developing a standard definition of a “whole-grain food” that would require at least 8 g. of whole grain per 30 g. serving.

As a dietitian and mom, I know first-hand that whole-grain breads and snack products have lots of health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and some forms of cancer. 

Boasting before-and-after pictures of dieters, fad-diet marketers often make sweeping promises that tell followers they will “lose weight fast.” 

The Grain Chain, an industry collaboration of 10 organizations representing grain producers, millers, bakers and allied manufacturer, reiterates the nutritional value of grain foods to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC).