The wholeness of wellness

Manila, Philippines - So you think you’ve got it covered. The label on that box of cereal or on that loaf of bread’s packaging, which you just got from the grocery
shelf, says “multigrain” or “bran” or “100% wheat,” and you pat yourself on the back for choosing so-called healthy food for your family’s breakfast. Well, not quite.

“Plain wheat is not enough,” says Prof. Amy Santiago, trainer and resident nutrition speaker of Nestle Philippines. “It has to be whole wheat.” It’s the “whole” that makes a load of difference. “Whole grain is nutritionally superior because it contains all three parts of the grain,” Santiago explains.

The bran, the outer shell of the grain, is rich in fiber, B vitamins, phyto nutrients, and protein. The endosperm, a tissue which surrounds the developing seed or germ and provides food for its growth, has protein and carbohydrates. And the germ contains antioxidants, B vitamins, vitamin E, phyto nutrients, a small amount of polyunsaturated fat, iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc. 

“In processed or refined grains, the bran and germ are removed, which contain lots of important nutrients,” asserts Santiago.

Examples of refined grains are white rice and white bread. Even if refined grains are fortified after processing, the fiber and phyto nutrients are not restored. “That’s why whole grains, which provide all three parts of the grain, offer a better nutritional package than refined ones,” says Santiago. 

At a parenting forum, “How to Raise Happy and Healthy Kids”, held recently at the Nestle Center in Rockwell, Makati City, Santiago explained the benefits of whole grain. “Whole grain is a good source of energy,” she says. “If kids fail to eat breakfast, they cannot perform well in school. They suffer from a short attention span. They become sluggish. A breakfast of whole grain cereals provides energy. It meets their nutritional needs and lifts their mood.”          

Whole grain foods are a good source of dietary fiber, which helps maintain healthy digestive functions by promoting regular bowel movement and preventing constipation. It helps in weight management. Studies reveal that people who eat more whole grains tend to have a lower body mass index, have a smaller waist circumference, and gain less weight over time.  

“Childhood obesity leads to adult obesity, which is a risk factor to lifestyle illnesses,” Santiago notes. “There is a global trend towards lifestyle illnesses such as heart diseases and diabetes.” Numerous studies have demonstrated the link between regular consumption of whole grains with reduced risks of heart disease. A diet rich in whole grains may also help prevent complications due to diabetes. Studies show that high whole grain, high-fiber diets can improve glucose control. Fiber also helps regulate cholesterol in the body.  “Prevention is a way of life,” stresses Santiago.  

“Be a good example to your kids. Be the example that you want your child to be,” says Maricel Laxa Pangilinan, Nestle’s celebrity endorser. Maricel, who is a lacto-ovo vegetarian, learned most of what she knows about healthy eating habits from her mother. “Health is wealth,” her mom used to tell her. “You are what you eat.” Maricel has never tasted coffee in her whole life. And although she used to drink six bottles of soft drink a day when she was in grade school, she has kicked that bad habit, too. “Don’t leave home with an empty stomach,” she suggests, “if you don’t want to be in a foul mood all day. Chew your food slowly. Finish what’s on your plate.”

“Help your children have a healthy start to their day,” Maricel advises parents. A whole grain diet for breakfast helps children maintain a healthy weight while supporting their mental and physical activities throughout the day. The fiber content of whole grain breakfast cereals, combined with energy from complex carbohydrates, keeps them full for a longer time and discourages impulsive snacking or overeating.

As evidence about the health benefits of whole grain continues to grow, Nestle continues to convert its breakfast cereals into whole grains to greatly improve the nutritional value of the first meal of the day.  The latest addition to Nestle Whole Grain Cereals is Nestle Honey Stars. Other Nestle breakfast cereals which have been converted to whole grains are Koko Krunch, Koko Krunch Duo, Milo , Cookie Crisp, Fitnesse, Fitnesse & Fruit, Almond Clusters, and Banana Nut Clusters. Just check the green banner across the top of every box that says they can find whole grains inside. These cereals are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

“Kids love it, moms trust it,” says Maricel.

As good as it may be, you need not have cereals every day. “You can make it a Monday habit, for example, after a weekend away from the routine of work and school,” says Joey Uy, Nestle Philippines business executive manager. “It’s a healthy alternative. What Nestle offers is variety.”

Prof. Santiago shares three guiding principles to a healthy diet — moderation, variety, and balance. “There are no good or bad foods. It’s the diet that is good or bad,” she says. “Take everything in moderation. Go for variety. Your plate should be colorful. Have a balanced diet, with 50-percent carbohydrates, 25-percent proteins, and 25-percent fruits and vegetables.”

     “It’s no secret,” says Nestle’s Wellness ambassador, top model Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez. “All it takes is proper nutrition and regular exercise. Move. Eat right.”

A bowl of Nestle’s whole grain cereals is certainly a good start.