May 20, 2024

Put These Good-for-You Grains on Your List

Cultivating grains is what changed our Neolithic ancestors from hunter-gatherers to an agrarian society about 10,000 years ago. In the grass family of plants, grains are a part of the human diet all over the world, providing complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. I’ve put together a list of grains, some of which you may have heard of and some that may be completely new to you. Among them are ancient grains that people are rediscovering and incorporating into meals in creative and tasty ways. Characteristically, these grains are unrefined, have a firmer texture and more flavor than highly processed […]
May 7, 2024

Fonio: Are These Tiny Grains the Next Big Thing?

You may have decided that quinoa is ‘soooo 2016.’ Yes, it’s a healthful grain from Peru that was all the rage a few years ago, and rightfully so. It’s versatile, nutritious and contains twice the protein of white rice, and it’s gluten free. If you really want to be on the cutting edge when it comes to grains, try fonio. It’s an ancient grain that’s been cultivated in West Africa for thousands of years. The plant itself is extremely drought-tolerant and sustainable. With grains the color and texture of fine sand, it’s known as ‘The Seed of the Universe, the […]
September 25, 2022

8 High Fiber Gluten-Free Foods You Should Be Eating

One of the downsides of following a strict gluten-free diet is that you lose a lot of your fiber sources, as many fiber-rich foods are wheat-based. Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet for numerous reasons: It helps maintain an environment of healthy gut bacteria It helps with constipation It aids in healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels It helps treat belly bloat It makes you feel fuller for longer It helps you maintain a healthy weight It helps avoid complications like heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer Long story short: fiber is crucial. Studies show the average […]
February 1, 2022

Global Grains Recipes Will Bowl You Over

Bring the flavors from around the world into your next bowl. We’ve created five healthy plant-based recipes that each have a whole grain as a base and cultural flavors, for nutritious, balanced meals in a bowl. From grains and veggies to nuts and spices, plant foods reign supreme in cultural dishes across the world. Here we combine five nutritious grains with other vegetarian ingredients in unique ways, each of which celebrates a different delicious cuisine. MIDDLE EASTERN FLAVORS The cuisine of various countries in the Middle East—including Indian, Arab, Israeli, Greek, Persian, Turkish and Armenian food—is diverse, but typically used […]
May 8, 2013

The Truth about Grains: My Top 30

Eating whole foods is essential for optimum nutrition and is a significant anti-aging strategy. Eating whole grains—and foods made from them—is part of this strategy. Whole grains have more nutrients than refined grains. Ancient grains—such as emmer wheat (farro), einkorn, kamut (khorasan wheat), spelt, barley, rye, triticale, semolina, durum, and buckwheat—are far more nutrient dense than modern American high-yield wheat.