Cereals are important – do you know why? Because they are one of the most important elements of the food pyramid! The more you know, the better you understand modern dietary principles and you can make an informed choice about eating what is the most important for your body. Take a look at the role organic cereals from the EU play in a balanced diet.
The food pyramid is a way to present the principles of proper nutrition in an attractive form. It was created in 1992 byt he United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).[1] Soon after, it was also popularised in other countries as well.
In 2009, the Polish Institute of Food and Nutrition published a pyramid prepared by Prof. M. Jarosz, later revised in 2016, which illustrates the basic principles of a healthy diet in a simple and easily approachable way.[2]
Although dietitians' recommendations have changed over the years, cereal products have always been one of the staples of the food pyramid – including whole-grain and other products.[3]. Not only that – they were also one of the essential elements of children’s diet (after weaning off breast milk), as wellas adults.[4]
What makes cereals so important? Cereals, in particular their outer tissues, contain proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibre, phenolic acids and phytoestrogens that are valuable to the body.[5]
The most popular cereal products include whole grain flours, breads, pastas and cereals. Refined cereals area used for making white flour and bread, among other things. What is more, whole-grain cereal products are the main source of energy for children and adults alike – that is why they should be the foundation of every single one of the 5prescribed daily meals.[6]
The average dietary fibre content for oat grains is 31.6%, 20% in the case of barley, with 12% in wheat and triticale –this is one of the best examples illustrating the importance of cereals in the food pyramid.[7] There isno doubt that cereal products are an important component of a balanced diet!
When it comes to food, the best thing to do is to choose whole foods of the highest quality. Cereals produced in certified EU areas are an excellent option. The high standards of organic farming, based on natural substances and processes, result in food that is safe to all consumers.[8] So if you want to eat consciously, and focus on putting only the best and most nutritious meals on your plate, choose organically farmed products from the European Union!
Sources:
[1] B. Całyniuk, E. Grochowska-Niedworok, A. Białek, N. Czech, A. Kukielczak, Piramida żywienia - wczoraj i dziś, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Katowice 2011, s. 20
[2] Oficjalna witryna Narodowego Centrum Edukacji Żywieniowej, www.ncez.pzh.gov.pl/abc-zywienia/piramida-zdrowego-zywienia-i-aktywnosci-fizycznej-dla-osob-doroslych (18.01.2022)
[3] B. Całyniuk, E. Grochowska-Niedworok, A. Białek, N. Czech, A. Kukielczak, op.cit, s. 23
[4] D. Gajewska, Zboża jako źródło węglowodanów. Rola produktów zbożowych w diecie dziecka, „Standardy Medyczne Pediatria” nr16/2019, s. 787
[5] E. Sicińska, Produkty zbożowe u podstaw piramidy zdrowego żywienia, „Przemysł” t. 64 nr 11/2010, s. 18-20
[6] Oficjalny serwis Polskiej Federacji Producentów Żywności ZP, www.pfpz.pl/index/?id=47d40767c7e9df50249ebfd9c7cfff77 (18.01.2022)
[7] M. Wiśniewska, D. Boros, Ziarno zbóż jako źródło składników odżywczych i prozdrowotnych, „Książka Abstraktów”, Krynica Morska 2019, s. 37-38
[8] Ministerstwo Rolnictwa i Rozwoju Wsi, Rolnictwo ekologiczne - przewodnik po działaniu (wyd. II), Warszawa 2017, s. 5-6
