Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

How can you determine if a food product is "whole grain"?

1. It should have a brown color

2. It should list "whole grain" as the first ingredient

3. It should be high in fiber

4. It must contain no added sugars

The correct answer is: It should list "whole grain" as the first ingredient

Determining if a food product is "whole grain" primarily involves checking the ingredient list. When "whole grain" is listed as the first ingredient, it indicates that the product is primarily made from whole grains rather than refined grains. Whole grains retain all parts of the grain kernel—the bran, germ, and endosperm—making them more nutritious and beneficial for health. Other factors, such as color, fiber content, or sugar levels, do not definitively indicate whether a product is whole grain. For instance, many refined grain products can also appear brown or may be high in fiber due to added ingredients, but that doesn’t mean they are whole grain. Additionally, the absence of added sugars doesn’t correlate with the grain type. Therefore, the most reliable indicator is the presence of "whole grain" as the first ingredient.