What are whole grains?
Whole grain ingredients contain all three parts of the cereal grain kernel — the bran (outer layer), germ (nutrient-rich core), and endosperm (starchy center) — in their original proportions. Common whole grains used in food products include whole wheat, brown rice, oats, quinoa, barley, millet, bulgur, farro, rye, and whole corn. The FDA and the Whole Grains Council define whole grains as containing 100% of the original kernel components, distinguishing them from refined grains where the bran and germ have been removed during milling.
30,751 products in our database contain whole grains. 9,738 of them (32%) are Level 4, the most processed of our four levels.
Which foods contain whole grains?
Whole grain ingredients are found in bread, cereals, oatmeal, granola, pasta, crackers, tortillas, rice dishes, grain bowls, snack bars, flour blends, pancake mixes, and many products marketed with whole grain content claims.
Shoprite, Scrunchy, Toasted Oats Sweetened Oat Cereal, Apple Cinnamon
Apple Cinnamon Sweetened Toasted Oat Cereal
Glutino, Gluten Free Crackers, Cheddar
Oat Bars
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Granola Bark
Apple Cinnamon Sweetened Toasted Oat Cereal, Apple Cinnamon
Kellogg's Eggo Pancakes Blueberry 3.03oz
Kashi Golean Cereal Crunch Honey Almond Flax 14oz
Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Toasted Coconut Granola Bar
Nature Valley Protein Peanut Almond & Dark Chocolate Chewy Bar
Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch Cereal
Cinnamon Toasters Cereal
Kodiak Wheat Bread
Toasted Coconut Peanut, Coconut, and Granola Dipped in Almond Butter Coating Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars
100% Whole Wheat Tortilla Wraps
Nature Valley Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola Bar
Granola with Real Maple Syrup
Regular Flavor Instant Oatmeal
Sprouted Multi-Grain Bread
New York Cheesecake
Nairn's, Oat Cookies, Mixed Berries
Shoprite, Instant Oatmeal
Crispy Oatmeal Granola Cookies
Seasoning Mix
Masala Tea Mix
Rice Cakes
Signature Select
French Vanilla Almond Flavored Granola, French Vanilla Almond
Great Value
Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
Krusteaz
Maple Pecan Granola, Maple Pecan
Great Value
Brown Sugar & Maple Flavored Instant Oatmeal, Brown Sugar & Maple
Bobs Red Mill
Orville Redenbachers Simply Salted Popcorn
Orville Redenbachers Salted Popcorn, 8.07 Oz
Orville Redenbachers Simply Salted Popcorn, 19.74 Oz
Roasted Grain Beverage
Harris Teeter, Inc., Wild Rice Blend
Royal Blend Whole Grain Texmati Brown and Red Rice with Barley & Rye
Brown Rice Snack Crackers
Veganic Sprouted Brown Rice Crisps
Wholly Wholesome, Organic Whole Wheat 9" Pie Shells
365 Everyday Value, Organic Bran Flakes Cereal
Nature's Path, Organic Whole Grain Brown Crispy Rice Cereal
Organic Cereals
Whole Grain Rice & Corn, Lightly Sweetened Cereal
Envirokidz Corn Puffs Cereal
Mint Magic, Caffeine Free Herbal Tea Bags
Orville Redenbacher's Original Gourmet Yellow Popcorn Kernels, 45 Ounce, 45 Oz
Orville Redenbacher's Original Gourmet White Popcorn Kernels, 30 Ounce, 30 Oz
Gold Medal Whole Wheat Flour
Gold Medal White Whole Wheat Flour
Publix, Oats
H-E-B, Old Fashioned Oats
Arrowhead Mills, Organic Puffed Kamut Cereal
Tri-Color Quinoa Organic Whole Grain
Whole Grain Emmer Farro
Spaghetti No. 4, 100% Whole Wheat Pasta
Arrowhead Mills, Puffed Wheat Cereal
Natural Puffed Rice Cereal
Arrowhead Mills, Natural Puffed Corn Cereal
Shoprite, Salt-Free Rice Cakes
Whole Grain Quick Cooking Oats
Also known as
Whole Grains can appear in ingredient lists under several names. If you see any of the following, this is the ingredient family you are looking at:
Function
Whole grain ingredients serve as primary structural and nutritional components in bread, cereals, pasta, and many staple foods. They provide complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and the proteins needed for gluten development in wheat-based baking. Oats contribute a distinctive flavor and creamy texture in hot cereals and granola. Brown rice provides a chewy texture and nutty flavor compared to white rice. Quinoa offers a complete amino acid profile among plant-based grains. The intact bran layer in whole grains affects texture, color, and baking performance compared to their refined counterparts.
Sources
Whole grains undergo minimal processing — primarily cleaning, dehulling (removing inedible outer husks), and may be cut, rolled, or ground while retaining all three kernel components. Steel-cut oats are produced by cutting whole oat groats. Rolled oats are steamed and flattened. Whole wheat flour is ground from the complete wheat kernel. Brown rice has only the inedible outer husk removed. Some whole grain products are sprouted (germinated under controlled conditions) before drying and milling. The key distinction is that the bran, germ, and endosperm remain present in their natural proportions.
Health considerations
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that at least half of grain servings come from whole grains. Whole grains contain dietary fiber, with content varying by grain type. Wheat, rye, and barley contain gluten — wheat is a major allergen under FALCPA, and gluten must be considered for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Oats are naturally gluten-free but may be cross-contaminated during processing unless certified gluten-free.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Regulatory
The FDA defines whole grains for labeling purposes and regulates whole grain claims on food products. In the NOVA food classification system, whole grains in their intact or simply milled forms are categorized as minimally processed foods. The Whole Grain Stamp program (run by the Whole Grains Council) provides voluntary certification indicating whole grain content. Gluten-free claims are regulated by the FDA (less than 20 ppm). Wheat is a major allergen under FALCPA.