How to Identify Whole Grain Rich Foods

Whole grain-rich foods are an important part of your menu. Foods that are whole grain-rich are filled with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients that help children stay healthy. 

TIPS TO IDENTIFY WHOLE GRAIN-RICH FOODS 

• The whole grain is listed as the first or second ingredient after water.

• Whole grain is listed first, and the remaining grains are whole grains and/or enriched grains.

• Foods labeled with multigrain, stone-ground, and 100% wheat are not always whole-grain rich.

Color is not always a good indicator of whether a food is a whole grain. For example, bread is often darkened with molasses to make it the desired color.

Child care providers who participate in CACFP serve whole grain-rich foods every day and get reimbursed for healthy meals and snacks on a monthly basis. Find out how much your reimbursement would be using our estimator tool.

Here’s a recipe idea from USDA's Team Nutrition website for Tuscan Grill Cheese