whole wheat

Meaning

Made from the entire wheat kernel, including the bran, germ, and endosperm. It is used to describe healthier, fiber-rich versions of flour, bread, pasta, and other baked goods.

Examples

• I prefer whole wheat bread over white bread because it has more fiber.

  I prefer whole wheat bread over white bread because it has more fiber.

• This recipe requires two cups of whole wheat flour.

  This recipe requires two cups of whole wheat flour.

• We switched to whole wheat pasta to eat a bit healthier.

  We switched to whole wheat pasta to eat a bit healthier.

• Are these tortillas made from white flour or whole wheat?

  Are these tortillas made from white flour or whole wheat?

• Whole wheat crackers are a great snack when paired with hummus.

  Whole wheat crackers are a great snack when paired with hummus.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I would like some complete wheat bread, please.

  ✓ I would like some whole wheat bread, please.

  Do not translate literally from other languages (like French 'blé complet' or Spanish 'trigo integral'). The correct English term is 'whole wheat' or 'wholemeal'.

• ✗ This pizza crust is made with whole wheats.

  ✓ This pizza crust is made with whole wheat.

  'Wheat' is an uncountable noun in this context, so it should not be pluralized.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Switching from white pasta to ___ pasta is an easy way to get more fiber.

  💡 Made from the entire grain of wheat.

  Show answer

  whole wheat

• She baked a loaf of ___ bread this morning.

  💡 The healthy, brown-colored grain type option.

  Show answer

  whole wheat