The milling process

When it comes to eating grain foods, you can choose either wholegrains or refined grains. All grains need to be milled; wholegrain foods are milled and still retain the goodness of all three parts of the grain -the outer bran, the inner germ and the endosperm. They are an extremely good source of fibre and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and other phytonutrients.

When grains are milled and then refined, one or more of the parts of the grain is removed. The important nutrients are lost when the bran and germ is removed, leaving only the endosperm.

Wholegrains contain up to 70% more vitamins, minerals and fibre than refined grains. Often manufacturers will add many of these nutrients back into the finished product. However, wholegrains contain many other compounds or phytonutrients that cannot be added back into a refined product. These nutrients provide important health benefits that will be missed out on.