Get Your Family on the Whole Grain Train
By Sara Butler
Whole grains are all the rage these days -- and you do hear about them everywhere you turn. They’re on food packages and talked about on your favorite chiropractic blog! But have you been successful at getting more whole grains in your family’s belly? Here’s what you should know about whole grains and how you can get your whole family aboard the whole grain train!
What are Whole Grains?
Whole grains are not as processed as refined grains. That’s pretty much the crux of it! Less processing means more nutrition. You’ll find more nutrients in whole grains, such as folate, Vitamin E. iron, thiamin, and protein. They also contain more fiber, which is great for your health! In fact, it’s been found that more whole grains in the diet result in a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
Luckily, there are a lot of whole grain options you and your family can choose from!
Ancient Grains
If whole grains were good enough for your ancestors, then they’re good enough for you! Ancient grains that you can experiment with include:
- Quinoa
- Spelt
- Farro
- barley
- Millet
- Bulgur
- Sorghum
Each of these grains has a different taste and texture as well as a different nutritional profile. Many are high in protein too, so try some recipes that include an ancient grain and see what sticks with your family.
Pasta Power
Pasta is usually a staple in a family’s kitchen, but you can improve your pasta’s profile by making it whole grain. You can easily find pasta made from quinoa, brown rice, or some combination of a few grains at your local market. You can even find pasta made with beans to give it a little boost of protein!
You can easily pair pasta with vegetables and lean protein for a nutritionally complete meal. And yes -- pasta sauce counts as a vegetable serving!
Hiding in Plain Sight
Whole grains may already be a part of your family’s diet and you don’t even know it! Popcorn is a whole grain snack, as long as you pop your own and forget the kind you pop in the microwave.
Oatmeal (not instant) is another whole grain probably hiding away in your cabinet. Start everyone off with a nice bowl of oatmeal in the morning and you’ve got one of your 3-5 servings per day covered!
You can jump aboard the whole grain train easily. Just try a few of these tips and see where it takes you!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Rowlett, Tex.