Is Whole Wheat And Whole Grain The Same? [Fully Answered]

Products made from grains and wheat are famous for improving heart health, blood sugar, and weight control.

But is whole wheat and whole grain the same? The answer must be no.

Also, you can be unsure about which one to purchase due to the abundance of products on the market and false advertising claims. 

This article compares and contrasts whole grain and whole wheat, so don't miss out on any part of it!

Is whole wheat and whole grain the same thing?

What Is Whole Grain?

Before answering is whole wheat or whole grain better, it’s crucial to have a look at each type.

Definition

In contrast to refined grains, which have had their outer shells removed, whole grains contain the majority of their original grain.

No matter what grain is utilized, if a product is marketed as whole grain, it signifies the entire grain kernel was utilized in its production.

Iron, magnesium, selenium, folate, potassium, and B vitamins are all considered to be present in higher concentrations in whole grains.

Whole grain

Health benefits

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020, adult women should have 3-6 servings of whole grains daily, while adult men should get 3.5-8 servings.

Indeed, they are a collection of foods that are incredibly nutritious and have many health advantages. Here are some of them:

Help you live longer

A 2018 medical review found that having 28 grams of whole grains each day has been linked to a 9% lower chance of dying from any cause. 

Also, the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease is reduced by 14%, and the risk of dying from cancer is reduced by 3%.

Control blood sugar

According to research, consuming 1.5 servings of whole grains daily can lower insulin and blood sugar levels.  

This advantage, according to researchers, may be brought on by the magnesium and chromium found in whole grains, which help control the metabolism of insulin and blood sugar.

Eating whole grains helps lower the risk of type 2 diabetes

Help with weight management

Taking whole grains could aid in weight management and make keeping a healthy weight easier. 

According to research, those who eat more whole grains typically had lower body masses, higher desirable body fat percentages, as well as less abdominal obesity.

Good for your gut

Products made from whole grains are fiber-rich. 

Whole grain fiber is also referred to as a prebiotic, which means that it serves as food for the beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome that are also known to enhance overall health.

What Is Whole Wheat?

It’s time to go through the definition and advantages of whole wheat!

Definition

With the exception of being unique to the wheat plant, whole wheat is comparable to whole grain. 

When a product is labeled as whole wheat, it signifies the entire wheat kernel was used in its production. No modifications, alterations, or blending of other grains have been made to the wheat as well.

Whole wheat is generally a good source of fiber and other essential minerals like folate, iron, potassium, magnesium, selenium, and B vitamins.

Whole wheat

Health benefits

Because whole grain wheat is used to make whole wheat products, they share the same health advantages as whole grains. 

Nevertheless, the content and quantity of minerals, fiber, vitamins, and macronutrients  (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) will vary depending on which grains are incorporated into a whole-grain product.

One slice of whole wheat bread (43 grams) has 80 calories, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of protein, 4 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fiber, and 0 grams of fat, according to the USDA.

Your preferred brand of bread may be slightly different.

Whole wheat’s benefits are quite similar to that of whole grains

If you intend to purchase a whole wheat product, Aashirvaad Whole Wheat Atta 11lb is a good choice. It’s 100% vegetarian, all-natural, low fat, and rich in vitamins and minerals.

Whole Wheat vs Whole Grain Comparison

Let’s discuss the similarities and dissimilarities between these two products:

Similarity

The word "whole" is what gives whole wheat and whole grain their resemblance.

The term "whole" refers to a grain seed that still contains all three of its constituent parts: the bran, germ, and endosperm, ensuring that the product provides the maximum amount of nutrients and subsequent health advantages.

Difference

While whole wheat products may only be made from wheat, whole grains can comprise goods from a variety of plants, such as oats, rice, corn, barley, and wheat.

As you can see, wheat is a kind of grain and it falls under the definition of whole grain as well. 

In other words, all whole wheat products are whole grain ones, but not vice versa.

Whole wheat whole grain comparison

Many people assume multi grain vs whole wheat are the same, but they are not. Multi-grain is not whole grain.

Whole Grain Vs Whole Wheat Which Is Healthier?

In general, whole grains provide a larger variety of nutrients from other grains, so they are frequently thought to be more nutrient-dense than only whole wheat goods.

According to Cesar Sauza, a certified dietitian with AltaMed Health Services in Los Angeles, "foods with whole grains seem to provide your diet with more of a diversity, which is always healthy."

Despite that, there are still significant health advantages to consuming whole grains or products made entirely of whole wheat.

Whole grain is healthier than whole wheat

Whole Wheat vs Whole Grain: What Should You Choose?

Both whole wheat and whole grain are better for your health than refined grains when it comes to making food choices. 

And of course, you are free to select whole grain flour vs whole wheat flour, for example.

Nevertheless, increasing the variety of whole-grain products in your diet could guarantee that you are consuming the recommended number of servings.

Selecting whole-wheat pasta, cereal, crackers, and bread, for instance, is a terrific place to start.

Replacing white rice with brown rice and including unusual grains like farro, spelt, bulgur, millet, buckwheat, and barley in your diet may add more grains and a larger range of nutrients as well.

It’s up to you to pick whole grain or whole wheat

Importantly, for those who are gluten-sensitive, allergic to wheat, or have celiac disease, remember to check for the word "whole" before the grain or grains in the first ingredients on the list.

A greater percentage of the product will be prepared with whole grains if the labels say "whole." 

On the contrary, it may not include much whole grain if a product's label declares that it was "made with whole grains," but the ingredients only list whole grains after other ingredients.