If you’re like me, you’ve finally accepted that it’s time to step away from the overly cheesy pasta dishes and greasy main courses – swimsuit season is fast approaching! You’ve loaded up the fridge with fresh fruits and ready-to-eat veggies, and have tried swapping deliciously carb-y white breads and pastas for their healthier counterparts… but something’s just lacking, isn’t it? The way I see it, there’s only so much brown rice stir-fry you can eat until you’re ready to give up on eating healthy.
Before you ditch your diet in pursuit of the Taco Bell drive thru, you might want to see what these three lesser-known whole grains have to offer. And for my friends at Quicken Loans and the Family of Companies who enjoy dining in our cafés, you’ll find these ready to top your salad or chew on as a side dish!
Farro
What is it?
Word on the street is that farro is getting pretty trendy, and with its impressive stats, I can certainly see why. Modern foodies might not realize that farro’s nutty flavor didn’t get its street cred at a trendy Whole Foods; it began hitting the scene back in biblical times!
What makes it healthy?
Like all of these delicious grains, farro is a great source of carbohydrates – the kind that fills you up, not out. It’s got twice the fiber and protein of traditional wheat, has been found to stimulate the immune system, and it’s easily digestible (though not gluten-free). A half cup of raw, uncooked farro will set you back just 170 calories.
How is it prepared?
Farro is a pretty popular swap for white pasta in summer salads, so it’s no wonder I love to add chilled, al dente farro to my lunchtime greens at work. You can also give it a try in lieu of rice in your favorite soups, or even add it to once-boring steamed veggies. Want to give it a try? Check out this fresh recipe for mushroom, farro and fontina salad.
Quinoa
What is it?
Okay, I have a confession about this strange-sounding food called quinoa: it’s not actually a grain! But with its crunchy-yet-creamy texture, this little seed that could has wound up as a great alternative to rice or barley in a slew of dishes.
What makes it healthy?
I have a challenge for you: imagine being a vegetarian who isn’t a huge fan of vegetables or fruit. It’s totally strange and seems nonsensical, but I’m just more of a starch and carbs kind of girl! So when I discovered that quinoa is absurdly high in protein for a (pseudo) grain, I was quick to give it a try. Aside from its 8 grams of protein per cooked cup, it’s also chock full of all 9 amino acids, gluten- and cholesterol-free, and even kosher (shout out to Eric Mally).
How is it prepared?
Another awesome thing about quinoa is its amazingly quick cooking time – just 10 to 15 minutes, and you’ve got a filling addition to a meal! My favorite way to prepare this super seed is pretty easy: I add some cheese, milk and hot sauce to quinoa, then toss it in the microwave for a quick, healthy take on macaroni and cheese. It’s also good with your favorite pasta sauce, parmesan cheese, and a bit of spinach for color. Try this recipe for a Thai chicken quinoa bowl, too.
Wheat Berry
What is it?
Wheat berries might sound unfamiliar and intimidating if you’re new at breaking into the healthy eating sphere, but don’t be afraid: without them, we wouldn’t have flour! While most of us might not be adventurous enough to grind wheat berries to create our own whole-wheat flour, there are plenty of other ways to get your fix for these hearty grains.
What makes it healthy?
The problem with many whole grains is that once their kernel is removed, the most valuable nutrients are lost. Not wheat berries, though! They’re practically their own multi-vitamin with all that iron, vitamin E and magnesium inside, and the wheat berry’s protein and fiber is designed to keep you slim.
How is it prepared?
Much like farro, I tried wheat berries on a whim while getting a salad for lunch at our café and found them to be a great crouton substitute (though nothing will ever take the place extra-crunchy, garlicky croutons have in my heart). These chewy grains have an earthy flavor and are versatile enough to be consumed at any meal of the day – even breakfast! If you’re over chicken with a bland side of rice, look into this spiced wheat berry pilaf for your next meal.
There are plenty more whole grains out there to keep your mind from wandering to the junk food aisle of the convenience store, so be sure to keep your eye out for others like barley and bulgur to add to your meals. Have any great whole grain recipes? Share them with us!
The post Sick of Brown Rice? Try These 3 (Healthy!) Whole Grains Instead appeared first on Quicken Loans Blog.