Whole Grain Sampling Day is celebrated on the last Wednesday of March yearly and this year, it falls on March 29. It is a great way to end nutrition month and It is held to encourage people to add whole grains to their diet because of their numerous health benefits. Whole grains are enriched with nutrients such as protein, fiber, B vitamins, trace minerals (copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium), and antioxidants. A whole-grain-rich diet has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer. It is something that should be added to every diet as it can do wonders for the body.
History of Whole Grain Sampling Day
Whole Grain Sampling Day is spearheaded by the Oldways Whole Grains Council, based in the United States, to celebrate whole grains. The Whole Grains Council is a nonprofit consumer advocacy group whose aim is to increase the consumption of whole grains for better health. It has many initiatives which include encouraging manufacturers to create delicious whole grain products, helping consumers find whole grain foods and understand their health benefits, and helping the media write accurate, compelling stories about whole grains.Whole grains contain all the essential parts and naturally occurring nutrients of the entire grain seed. If the grain has been processed in any way, the product should deliver approximately the same rich balance of nutrients that are found in the original grain seed.The Whole Grains Council was founded in April 2002 by a group of millers, manufacturers, scientists, and chefs at a Whole Grains Summit organized by Oldways Preservation Trust in San Diego. They took strides to grow the organization including finding ways to promote increased consumption of whole grains. They had their first formal meeting in July 2003, where they outlined goals for the organization.Since its first meeting, the Whole Grains Council has grown from nine members to almost 400 members, including many industry leaders and has had celebrations of Whole Grain Sampling Day ever since. Most years, grocery stores, restaurants, schools, health centers, universities, food banks, and community centers around the country participate in Whole Grains Sampling Day by offering live sampling events, workshops, and other fun activities that day.
Whole Grain Sampling Day timeline
The initiative for Whole Grain Sampling Day is formed.
The Whole Grains Council has its first formal meeting.
Whole Grains Sampling Day is celebrated for the first time.
The W.G.C. registers its 13,000th product and its stamp reaches more than 60 countries
Whole Grain Sampling Day FAQs
Do whole grains cause weight gain?
As with all foods, they don’t cause weight gain unless you consume too many calories from them.
How much whole grain do you need daily?
Five to eight ounces of grains should be eaten daily and three to six ounces of them should be whole grains.
Is it hard to digest whole grains?
They digest more slowly than refined grains and are beneficial to the blood as it keeps blood sugar and insulin levels down.
Whole Grain Sampling Day Activities
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Take up cooking lessons
Celebrate the day by taking up lessons. You’ll be surprised by the number of delicious meals you can make from whole grains
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Prepare a whole-grain meal
Prepare a meal with whole grains to celebrate the day. Why enjoy the day alone when you can have others join in and feast with you?
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Spread the word
Share facts about the day on social media. This gives the day more reach and allows others to join in on the celebration.
5 Interesting Facts About Whole Grains
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More than 2.5 billion tons
Grains are produced in mass numbers in almost every continent in the world with more than 2.5 billion tons produced yearly.
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Most produced grain in the world
Corn is massively produced and America is its biggest producer, followed by China, Brazil, Mexico, and France.
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Barley is one of the oldest grains
The cultivation of barley dates as far back as 10,000 years ago.
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Wild rice isn’t rice at all
It is the seed of aquatic grass and is not related to rice.
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Maize is a Native American word
Maize is a Native American word but not used in America and Canada, as they call it corn.
Why We Love Whole Grain Sampling Day
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It’s free food
What’s better than food? Free food! Some stores offer sampling tests and so people get to enjoy some free food if they search for it.
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It brings us together
Seeing other people interested in Whole Grain Sampling Day gives us a sense of belonging. You automatically share a bond, especially if you participate in an event together.
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It promotes healthy living
In a world full of food that can sometimes be bad for one's health, Whole Grain Sampling Day promotes healthy food. These foods should be consumed more as they have a lot of benefits.
Whole Grain Sampling Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | March 30 | Wednesday |
| 2023 | March 29 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | March 27 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | March 26 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | March 25 | Wednesday |
