School food became significantly more whole-grain dense after 2012

Bar chart showing ounce equivalents per 1,000 calories of whole grains in restaurant food, fast food, and school food from 1994 to 2018.

Whole-grain intakes in 2017-2018 remained far below that of refined grains despite 2005 Federal recommendations that half of grains consumed be whole grains. Beginning 2013–14, children’s diets were significantly more whole-grain dense than before, following 2012 requirement that USDA school meals include whole grains.


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