Interest in whole grain foods is growing, driven in part by the introduction of better-tasting products, particularly cookies and crackers. Food (bread, cereal, rice, pasta, etc.) that contains all three parts of the grain—endosperm, germ and bran—is considered whole grain.

“The trend is toward less white bread and more whole wheat and multi-grain bread being consumed,” said Erin Laurie, a registered dietician and spokesperson for the Kansas Wheat Commission.

The proven health benefits of eating whole grain foods, which are high in B vitamins, also have helped boost sales.

“Whole grains help to reduce heart disease risk and can help to manage blood sugars and reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Research also shows that consuming whole grains can reduce the risk of certain cancers,” Laurie said.

The fiber in whole grains increases the feeling of fullness while eating, helps lower cholesterol and increases digestive health (like a “scrub brush” for your digestive tract). Women should eat 20 to 25 grams of fiber daily and men should consume between 30 and 35 grams.

Figuring out which foods contain whole grains can be a challenge. Products with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving are good sources; those with 5 grams or more per serving are considered excellent.

Take a look at the list of ingredients on the nutrition label to see if you’re buying a whole grain product. If the word “whole” is used before the name of the grain in the first ingredient then you have found a high-quality whole grain product.

Products with whole wheat, 100 percent stone ground whole wheat or whole oat flour listed as the first ingredient are just a few examples.

A serving size of a grain product is 1-1 oz. slice of bread, one-half of an English muffin, one-half of a mini-bagel or one-third cup of rice/pasta. Good sources of grain fiber are bread products, brown rice, whole grain cereals and light popcorn.

Many people love the rich, complex flavor that accompanies smoked food but don’t realize how easy it can be to do without the hassle of a grill and hours of careful monitoring.

“There’s nothing complicated about stove-top smoking; it’s probably easier to master than smoking outdoors. You don’t have to mess with charcoal or vents, deal with chambers or manage chips or pellets for hours on end,” said Noelle Carter of the Baltimore Sun.

It is far easier to manage stove-top heat than grilling heat because the stove offers more control. It’s important to remember when stove-top smoking that the food is in a more contained space, which means it will be flavored much quicker than on the grill. Read more about it here.

By Todd Simon, Senior Vice President and Family Owner

As a fifth-generation, family-owned company, Omaha Steaks is proud to be recognized nationwide for premium beef and gourmet foods. Providing our family of customers with the finest in quality products and superior customer service has always been at the heart of everything we do. While much has changed in America since we opened for business back in 1917, gathering family and friends around the dinner table to enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal remains a solid tradition.

Recent economic conditions have resulted in a renewed interest in “dining in,” with more Americans preparing meals at home. In fact, according to a recent study by market research firm Mintel International, about 60 percent of those asked were cutting back on dining out and cooking more at home. Even now when the average American needs to stretch his or her food dollar as far as possible, we believe that there is no need to sacrifice quality.

Omaha Steaks has long been a leader in gourmet frozen foods and today our product line includes more than 400 items. From center-of-the-plate options like steaks, seafood and poultry to nutritious side dishes and delicious desserts, we make it easy and affordable for our customers to serve a fine restaurant-quality meal at home. In addition to our commitment to superior quality, we also have developed our products to be conveniently prepared and served.

In recent years, our busy customers have frequently expressed a desire for complete meal options that provide one-stop shopping convenience and enable them to easily prepare and serve nutritious and delicious family meals. We listened and developed a wide variety of meal options designed to go from freezer to dinner table in 30 minutes or less. Believe me, these meals bear absolutely no resemblance to the TV dinners of yesteryear. Omaha Steaks complete meal categories include beef, poultry, seafood, pasta, special occasions and breakfast, so there is an option to suit everyone. We also offer a five-meal sampler package designed to provide dinner choices for an entire week.

By combining various items—protein, starch, vegetables, dessert—within a package, Omaha Steaks can provide consumers with the maximum value for the price. Sales of our complete meal packages have been strong and growth in this category is ongoing.

At Omaha Steaks, we heartily embrace the recent trend of “dining in” as it provides the perfect opportunity to reconnect with family and friends at home around the dinner table. Our goal through our complete meal options is to make it as easy as possible to prepare and serve a delicious dinner, leaving more time to spend with those you love.

To learn more, visit www.OmahaSteaks.com.