September often brings a lot of excitement and a fresh sense of routine. Between back-to-school schedules, fall sports and busy weekday evenings, finding time to connect feels more important than ever. It also shares the spotlight with Whole Grains Month, an annual campaign led by the Whole Grains Council that highlights the nutritional benefits of whole grains and provides resources to help families incorporate them into everyday lifestyles.  

Before we get to cooking, it helps to know what makes a grain “whole.” Whole grains contain the entire seed or kernel of a plant in its whole form. Meaning, these grains have the same proportions as when they were growing in a field. All the nutrient-rich parts of the plant, like the bran, germ and endosperm, are intact and provide the essential nutrients of fiber, potassium, iron and B-vitamins.  

One simple way to identify whole grains when shopping is to read the ingredient list. Look for the word “whole” before a grain’s name and look for other words like “brown rice,” “cracked wheat” and “oats.” You may also notice the distinctive golden-yellow Whole Grain Stamp on certain products. Created by the Whole Grains Council, the stamp helps consumers quickly identify foods that contain meaningful amounts of whole grains. That’s why we’re excited that the packaging for Tyson^® Mega Dino Nuggets will begin featuring the stamp this month, giving families another easy way to spot products that include whole grains.

______________

Looking for ways to participate in Whole Grains Month? Here are three simple ideas to try at home with the whole family. 

Try a New Whole Grain Favorite Together 

Introducing new foods and new recipes can sometimes be a challenge with families, but making it a family activity could help ease any hesitation. For tonight’s menu, pair Tyson® Mega Dino Nuggets (9g whole grains per serving) with your family’s favorite vegetables and this simple homemade Yogurt Dill Ranch Dip for a fun and flavorful mealtime combo.

Build Skills in the Kitchen 

Cooking together can help build confidence, encourage independence and create opportunities to connect. Whether you’re teaching younger children basic tasks or helping teens build new skills, everyone can play a role in preparing a meal. 

Here are a few simple ways to get everyone involved: 

• Go on an ingredient hunt: Search the refrigerator or pantry for ingredients before cooking begins.  

• Master measurements: Practice measuring ingredients using teaspoons, tablespoons and measuring cups. 

• Mix it up: Stirring ingredients is an easy task for family members of all ages to help with.  

• Count and cook: Count out the perfect servings and portion plates for each family member’s meal. 

• Set the table: Let creativity take shape by having someone arrange the table, add plates and napkins and take drink orders. 

• Join the clean team: Assign or rotate tasks like clearing the table, loading the dishwasher and wiping the table. 

Small kitchen responsibilities can help build confidence and make meal preparation feel like a shared effort. 

Enjoy a Mega Mealtime Together 

As you sit down with your Tyson® Mega Dino Nugget-inspired meal, take a moment to appreciate the time spent together. Research from the Family Meals Movement suggests that shared meals can help strengthen communication, build family connections and create positive routines.  

Make your dinner time even more fun by adding some conversation starters. You can print table talk placemats for great talking prompts from The Family Meals Movement or create your own prompts and take turns asking and answering. 

______________

As your family settles into a new school year routine, Whole Grains Month is a great reminder that small choices can add up over time. Whether you’re trying a new recipe, involving the whole fam in meal preparation or gathering around the table together, every meal is an opportunity to build healthy habits and strengthen connections.