Specialists recommend the daily consumption of at least 48 grams of whole grains

Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company, and its cereal breakfast division Cereal Partners Worldwide CPW are celebrating the International Whole Grain Day.  It is estimated that diets low in whole grains are responsible for three million deaths each year, most of these deaths are the result of cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes. In addition to the clear health benefits, the consumption of whole grains can have a significant and positive impact on the healthcare system and the health of the population.

On November 15, 2022, the Whole Grain Initiative (a partnership of experts and leading organizations dedicated to the promotion of whole grains) celebrated the fourth edition of the International Whole Grain Day. As in previous years, nutrition and sustainable development experts came together to discuss the importance of whole grains in creating healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient food systems worldwide. The World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) joined this initiative to highlight the positive impact that whole grains have on food systems.

According to a study conducted by Nestlé in collaboration with the research agency MASMI, people are aware of the benefits of whole grains, however they do not consume them daily, as recommended. 84% of Romanians know whole grains are rich in fiber, 69% recognize the role of these foods in reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases. Only for 36% taste is one of the barriers to consumption of whole grain-based products. However, Romanians consume whole grains, on average, only 2-3 times a week. Only 16% consumes whole grains more than 5 times a week. Amid children, the average consumption is 3 times per week, with 28% consuming 2-3 times a week, 21% 4-5 times a week, and 18% more than 5 times a week.

“Our goal is to make breakfast better and healthier. For almost two decades, we have been evolving and adapting our recipes to increase the amount of whole grains in our products. Thus, we have increased the quantity of whole grains in our breakfast cereals by over 50% on average. Except for Corn Flakes, in all products sold on the Romanian market, whole grains are the number 1 ingredient. 100% of breakfast cereals for children have whole grains as the main ingredient”, says Nicolae Iacob, Business Executive Officer CPW.

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“Over the past 20 years, we have been able to reduce the salt and sugar contents in our breakfast cereals by 25% and 20%, respectively. Also, Nestlé breakfast cereals do not contain artificial dyes or flavours. Because we are the largest food company in the world, we are in a unique position – we are on the tables of millions of families every morning. We can help our consumers increase their intake of whole grains from the first meal of the day. All our children’s cereals are enriched with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D. Many nutrition guides claim that fortified foods are one of the important sources of vitamin D especially during the cold season, when sun exposure is limited”, says Nicoleta Tupiță, authorized dietitian and Nutrition Manager at Nestlé Romania, Bulgaria and the Adriatic Countries.

The partnership between the National Institute of Public Health and ROMALIMENTA

In order to increase the consumption of cereals within the Romanian population, the National Institute of Public Health and ROMALIMENTA (Federation of Employers in the Food Industry) have signed a collaboration protocol. The two organizations propose to create a favourable context for the adoption of a healthy nutritional behaviour for the population of Romania, by identifying the products with an adequate content of whole grains, according to the European and World health requirements. The two organizations are also committed to support information, education and communication activities about the presence of whole grain products on the Romanian market. Nestlé, a member of Romalimenta, supports this endeavour and will be actively involved in promoting this healthy eating habit.

Consuming whole grains is not only good for human health, but also for the planet. In 2019, the Lancet Commission proposed a healthy planetary diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low in sugar, oil, fat. They suggested that this new way of eating could reduce the extinction of wild animals by up to 46%, stop deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for food production by at least 30%.