The National Nutrition Month slogan from the American Dietetic Association is �% Fad Free!” Nutrition professionals hope to convince people that it is healthier to eat well over the years than it is to jump from one fad diet to another.

The fad-free winners in nutrition studies of healthy diets are fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products and whole grains.

White whole wheat, which has started to show up in some local grocery stores, may sound like just another fad.

The good news is that it really is a whole grain with a taste and texture that is proving to be more acceptable to people who do not enjoy the “graininess” of whole wheat.

How can whole wheat be white?

The type of wheat used is an albino variety that gives the flour a tan or golden color rather than the darker brown color of flour made from hard red winter wheat (the flour used for most whole wheat bread).

Is white whole wheat bread more nutritious than white bread?

Because it is a whole grain product, it is higher in fiber and other nutrients than white bread. The nutritious bran and wheat germ have not been removed from white whole wheat flour.

Does it have a coarse texture?

The white whole wheat flour that is used for bread is finely ground so that the texture is more like white bread than traditional whole wheat bread.

How does it taste?

It has more flavor than white bread but not as strong a flavor as traditional whole wheat bread. Because white wheat does not contain tannins or phenolic acid, it does not have the slightly bitter taste of red wheat.

Where can I find white whole wheat products?

Some grocery stores carry white whole wheat bread and flour. Sales of white whole wheat flour are up 20 percent, according to the King Arthur Flour Co., but only 5 percent of the U.S. wheat crop is white wheat.

Not all local grocery stores are carrying these products so you may have to check more than one store before you find white whole wheat products.

How can I use white whole wheat flour in baking?

For most breads, pancakes and cookies, it can be used instead of white flour.

For light textured cakes, half white whole wheat flour and half white flour may work best.

Irish soda bread made with white whole wheat flour can be a delicious part of your St. Patrick's Day dinner.

For more nutrition information and easy recipes, visit www.cce.cornell.edu/cayuga.

Christine Gutelius, MA, RD, CDN, is a

nutrition resource educator at Cornell

Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County

Makes 1 loaf

2 cups white whole wheat flour (or 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup white flour)

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups buttermilk (or 3 tablespoons vinegar stirred

into 1 1/4 cups low-fat milk)

1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients until well mixed. Pour into loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5-10

minutes before removing from pan and slicing.