Whole Grains for Better Health (Giveaway)

Recently a doctor suggested that I have Diabetes. I still need to go and get some blood tests done. I’m hoping (and praying) that it’s a fluke, but, I have a strong feeling she is correct.

Years ago I had Diabetes that was related to being grossly overweight. As soon as I lost the weight the Diabetes went away, although I knew it would not be forever. My doctor at that time said most likely it would return when I was in my 40′s. When I was pregnant with my oldest I had Gestational Diabetes which thankfully went away when our daughter was born.

I have struggled with my weight for my entire life. Years ago I could easily attribute it to eating a lot of the wrong things. These days I think it’s mostly to not eating the right things. Instead of having a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast I’ll opt for either nothing or maybe a donut if I’m out and about. My weight is due more to poor choices more so then eating a lot. I honestly don’t eat a lot. I can’t. I had weight loss surgery years ago. Although it’s since come undone I still cannot eat a lot at any given time.

I have been making an effort to take vitamins and supplements. I drink water all day long so that is not a problem. My next goal is to incorporate more whole grains, fruits and veggies into my diet. That might be easier said then done but there are tasty ways to get the important things your body needs. You don’t have to sacrifice taste for good nutrition.

Did you know that 95% of Americans DO NOT get enough fiber in their daily diets? This is according to a 2010 Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. This means that only five percent of Americans get the three full recommended daily servings of fiber each day. WOW! That just blows my mind to think about that.

I was surprised to find out that every Big G cereal contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving, with more than 20 General Mills cereals delivering 16 grams or more. That is awesome! It is recommended that you get at least 48 grams of whole grain fiber daily and eating a bowl or two of General Mills cereals will help you to reach your requirement. Big G cereals are America’s number one source of whole grain at breakfast, providing America with more whole grain at breakfast than any other breakfast food from any other manufacturer. Cereal also makes a healthy snack. I often opt for a bowl of cereal if I feel like I need a little something in the evening.

Only whole grain gives you the vital nutrients from the complete grain. The health benefits of whole grains can’t be pinpointed to one particular component of the grain. It’s the “whole grain package” that makes the difference. In addition to fiber, whole grain contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other vital nutrients that help ensure a healthy diet. A diet high in whole grain has been found to help with diabetes and weight management, and it may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

You can easily get into the whole grain habit by just looking for the big white check on Big G cereals. Cereal is already one of the healthiest breakfast choices you can make, and the entire Big G cereal line is made with whole grain, making it a great choice. Big G cereals have the brands and flavor your family will love, including Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Fiber One, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Total.

To make sure that the foods you are choosing have the healthy whole grain you need simply follow these two easy rules:

- Look for a whole grain symbol like the big white check on Big G cereals or the Whole Grain Stamp developed by the Whole Grains Council.

- Scan the ingredient list and choose foods that list a whole grain near the top of the list.

For more tips, additional information and to learn more about the health benefits associated with whole grains please visit www.WholeGrainNation.com.

Big G and My Blog Spark would love to help you to get more whole grains into your diet and to get in shape with a  fun prize package. The prize package includes a handy insulated tote/lunch bag, a really cool jump rope (my kids are having a blast with this!), a water bottle with a convenient water bottle holder (I ♥ this! I use it all the time!), a great portable cereal bowl that allows you to bring milk AND cereal to work or school with you (my husband uses this every day at work) and of course a coupon for a Big G cereal.

To enter please visit the Whole Grain Nation website (www.WholeGrainNation.com), look around, then come back here and comment on something that you learned from the website not already mentioned here in this post.

For extra entries you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each that you have done. Extra entries are optional.

- Subscribe to She Scribes and/or Connect with Google Friend Connect. Both options are found on the right side bar.

- Blog about this review/giveaway and include a link to both this post and the WholeGrainNatin.com website. Please provide the URL of the post.

- “Like” She Scribes on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/SheScribes.

- Add my button (found on the right side bar) or text link to your website or blog roll. Please include a link.

- Follow me on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/She_Scribes) and tweet about this giveaway and/or the Whole Grain Nation website. Please include @She_Scribes in the tweet so I may see it too. This is limited to three tweets per day.

- Share this giveaway with others on Facebook and Digg.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on March 1, 2011 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries using a random number generator. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply with a name and mailing address or a new winner will be chosen.

Other fantastic giveaways are found on the right side bar under “Win It”.

Kimberly

*I received free product samples in order to do this review from General Mills as part of My Blog Spark. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.

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