Wheat Facts

Wheat is a plant that is a member of the cereal family of plants that also includes rye, corn, oats and rice. Wheat is among the most important of cereal crops grown in many regions of the world for human consumption, including all of North America. Wheat is Canada's most important cereal grain crop, produced in nine of Canada's provinces and territories.

Wheat flour is a food ingredient that is manufactured from the grain or "berry" harvested from mature (ripened and field-dried) wheat plants. The manufacturing process has evolved over thousands of years, but still involves grinding (milling) of whole wheat grains into finely granulated powders (flour) and coarsely granulated meals (semolina) that can be easily mixed with other food ingredients or further processed in some fashion into foods that are ready to eat.

What foods contain wheat flour?

Wheat flour is the main ingredient in most breads, bakery products, biscuits, cookies and crackers consumed all over the world. Wheat is also the main ingredient in most noodles and pasta. In fact, most noodles and pasta are almost 100 per cent wheat.

Wheat flour is also used in a wide range of other processed foods, such as prepared breakfast cereals, prepared meat products, sauces, gravies, soups and confectionery products.

Wheat flours and semolinas contain nutrients that are essential to good nutrition. They include protein, complex carbohydrates (starches), dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. Most foods made from wheat are high in energy and low in fat. Throughout the history of civilization, wheat and other cereal-based foods have been consumed as staple foods (ie. essential to survival) .

In recent years, scientific research has confirmed that good nutrition promotes good health. It is now known that wheat and other cereal-based foods and food ingredients can improve bodily functions and help to prevent some diseases, including cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer. Additional information can be found in a study published by the National Institute of Nutrition entitled The Role of Grains in the Canadian Diet. A summary of the report is available on their site or the entire report can be purchased for $50.00 (click here).

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