Whole grains are an important part of a healthy, well-balanced diet, and senior care servicescan ensure that patients get the recommended amount by assisting with grocery shopping and meal preparation.

However, a recent study published in the journal Nutrition Research found that most U.S. adults are not, in fact, getting the recommended amount of whole grains and dietary fiber.

According to Reuters, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services said that dietary guidelines suggest that at least half of all grains eaten should be whole, which is three 1-once servings daily.

Researchers analyzed data from 9,042 individuals surveyed between 2009 and 2010 to compare their whole grain and dietary fiber intakes. The collected data indicated that 42 percent of adults ate no grains at all, and only 8 percent consumed the recommended amount. Additionally, the results showed that participants who are the most whole grains also had the most fiber intake with 28 grams per day for adults.

“Most people do not consume whole grains in amounts that can be most beneficial, also many people, even health professionals, are confused about the relationship between whole grain and fiber,” study leader Marla Reicks told Reuters.