Oatmeal at breakfast, brown rice at lunch, and a slice of whole-wheat bread at dinner.

If these items made your menu today, you're well on your way to a reduced risk of dying from an inflammatory disease. Three servings of whole grains per day can slash your risk by more than 35 percent. What's an inflammatory disease, you ask?

The Common Thread
Inflammation. It's something that heart disease (know your risk), diabetes (could you have it and not know it?), colitis, rheumatoid arthritis (learn how to reduce flare-ups), and many other conditions have in common. But researchers suspect that the phenols, beneficial plant substances, and vitamins in good-for-you whole grains may thwart the disease-causing oxidative stress that results from inflammation. What's your whole-grain IQ? Find out here.

Also, Fabulous Fiber
Yet another reason to eat more whole grains: They're full of fiber, which can help you feel full longer (so you'll eat less) and can help keep your blood sugar levels steady and your digestive system on track. Are you getting enough? Answer these questions about your typical eating habits to find out.