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BANG FOR THE BITE
Most of these grains are available year-round, and all are inexpensive. Considering the health and environmental benefits, you'll ingrain these grains into your diet in no time.
COCKTAIL FACT
The Aztecs mixed ground amaranth seed with honey and human blood, then shaped the mixture into idols which they ate ceremoniously.
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home › tip library › Healthy Grains
Want a clearer picture of the rice- and wheat-alternative trend?
The Bite
Come out of the dark(room), and let this tip bring good-for-you-and-the-planet rice and wheat replacements amaranth, chia, quinoa, and spelt (once-crunchy-now-cool) into plain focus.The Benefits
- The eco-contrast. Examples: Spelt is naturally more resistant to disease and pests than wheat, so it grows with 1/3-less nitrogen fertilizer. Amaranth is often raised without irrigation (unlike water-hogs such as corn and rice).
- Exposure to more nutrients. Fer instance, a serving of chia has about 16% of your average daily protein intake.
- Projecting fewer allergic reactions. People allergic to gluten in wheat can opt for amaranth, chia, and quinoa. (Note: Spelt does contain gluten.)
- Looking good for your glamour shots. Amaranth flour contains fewer carbs than its wheat equivalent.
Personally Speaking
Raised on Cream of Wheat, Toshio now prefers quinoa with raisins and walnuts sprinkled on top for breakfast.Wanna Try?
- Amaranth - has 30% more protein than other cereals. Try: Health Valley Cereal ($9/22 ounces).
- Chia - grain with the highest proportion of heart-healthy omega-3s. Try: Ruth's Chia Goodness ($8/12 ounces).
- Quinoa - bulgur-wheat alternative that like amaranth, has lots of protein and essential acids (keep your green cred by pronouncing it right: It's "keen-wah"). Try: Ancient Harvest Polenta ($26/216 ounces).
- Spelt - also packs lotsa protein, making it a filling snack. Try: Vita-Spelt Sesame Sticks ($6/9.5 ounces).
- Whole Foods - handy cooking instructions chart for all types of grains.
Jun 18,2008
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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Quinoa Thievery
I rarely cook at home, but two of my roommates have been on a quinoa bender for the past six months. Both are vegetarian, so they get a healthy kick out of the grain, which they cook in our rice cooker and pair with vegetable stir-fry. I can tell you firsthand that it's a tasty combo, because I've sneaked a few scoops of the stuff while they're enjoying dinner in the family room.
-Toshio...off to hope Corinne and Jenny don't read this blog...
Biter Comments...
I've had trouble with quinoa having sand etc in it and since the quinoa grain is so small how do you strain it? I get it bulk at Whole Foods. Any suggestions?
I don't buy my quinoa in bulk & have no trouble with sand. I forget the brand I buy but I just get it at my neighborhood Meijers.
I tried diversifying my diet with amaranth in 1998 and almost died from anaphylactic shock. Because I'd never been exposed to it before I didn't know I was allergic, and was not that sensitive to foods prior. Be careful when trying out new foods!
If anyone is interested in quinoa, be sure to try the Ancient Harvest red quinoa. It's very nutty without the somewhat grassy taste of regular quinoa.
(P.S. the Ancient Harvest Polenta is made from corn and not quinoa)
Try making tabouli with Quinoa rather than bulghur. A delightful treat.
Well, I cannot figure out how to start my own thread, but my concern is in refernce to the rice/wheat alternative thread. This statement: "The eco-contrast. Examples: Spelt is naturally more resistant to disease and pests than wheat, so it grows with 1/3-less nitrogen fertilizer. "
is inaccurate. Fertilizer makes things grow. It has nothing to do with disease and pests. A more correct statement would read "...naturally more resistant to disease and pests than wheat so it grows with 1/3 less PESTICIDES." Also, virtually anything grown in a monoculture on the scale of corn/wheat will eventually develop pests that like to eat it. It's called co-evolution. Keep promoting sustainable ag, but get your terms right...
Good tip -- for the rich, AGAIN! With what the products mentioned in this tip cost, the ONLY chia I'M gonna be getting is a Chia Pet! It'll last a heck of a lot longer than an $8.00, 12-oz. box of cereal!
I love quinoa; in fact, I blogged about it:
http://www.iowaavenue.com/profiles/blog/show?id=774881:BlogPost:20947&page=1#comment-774881:Comment:20985
i have tried quinoa in Brazil and i liked it very much,but here in london i can`t find it to buy.Can you tell me where i can buy this grain?
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Lynn | June 18, 2008 at 06:25 AM