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Page | Last updated: 09 Apr 2021

Dietary recommendations for whole grain intake

Health Promotion Knowledge Gateway

Whole Grain

Dietary recommendations for whole grain intake as described by food- and health-related organisations

Whole grains, as a food group, include whole grains as single foods as well as products that include whole grains as ingredients. For example, one portion (45 g) of wild rice contains 45 g of whole grains. At the same time, one portion (70 g) of whole grain pasta (55%) contains 40 g of whole grains (Swedish National Food Administration 2015 (pdf)).

Source

Dietary recommendation

Food-Based Dietary Guidelines in Europe

  • Prefer wholegrain cereals.

Swedish National Food Administration 2015 (pdf)

  • 'There isn't enough scientific evidence to give advice about exactly how much whole grains to optimally consume. An intake corresponding to 75 grams of whole grains per 10 MJ is considered an appropriate amount. This means about 70 grams of whole grains a day for women and about 90 grams for men'.

Norwegian Directorate of Health 2014

  • Eat whole grain products every day. Whole grain intake should reach 70-90 grams per day.

Danish Dietary Guidelines 2013

  • Eat at least 75 grams of whole grains per day.

DGE 2012 (pdf)

  • 'The total intake of dietary fibre and especially the intake of whole-grain products, which are foods high in dietary fibre, should be increased, as this reduces the risk of various nutrition related diseases'.

AHA 2016

  • At least half of the grains consumed should be whole grains.

DGA 2015 (pdf)

DGAC 2015

  • 'To improve diet quality, the U.S. population should replace most refined grains with whole grains, '
  • Recommended daily amount of whole grain in terms of a healthy U.S. Style Eating Pattern at the 2000-Calorie Level is 3 ounce equivalents (85g).