Whole grain consumption remains too low but is slowly increasing
According to the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Americans don’t eat as many whole grains as recommended, but consumption is slowly increasing. During 2013–2016, whole grains contributed 15.8% of total grains intake on a given day among adults overall.
According to the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Americans don’t eat as many whole grains as recommended, but consumption is slowly increasing. During 2013–2016, whole grains contributed 15.8% of total grains intake on a given day among adults overall. This percentage increased with age and income and was lower among Hispanic adults (11.1%) compared with all other race and non-Hispanic-origin groups.
The contribution of whole grains to total grains intake was higher among women (16.7%) compared with men (14.8%). In addition, this percentage increased with age from 12.9% among adults aged 20–39 to 19.7% among adults aged 60 and over. These findings are consistent with previously published tables showing intake of total, whole, and refined grains in the United States.
Furthermore, trends over time from 2005–2006 to 2015–2016 showed an increase in the contribution of whole grains to total grains intake for adults overall and for men and women. However, the authors note that the magnitude of this increase was small.