Buy Ubiquinol Now
HAPPY HEALTHY AGING MONTH!
Celebrate with 25% off sitewide at NewQ. Use code HEALTHYAGING
SHOP NOW
Despite all the low-carb, no-carb talk these days, your body needs carbohydrates. It’s where those carbs come from that makes the difference. Refined flours and sugars have huge carb counts but offer little else in the way of nutrition and provide nothing to sustain you. Fruits and vegetables provide carbohydrates, but whole grains are another great way to get a nutritional punch with your carbs. Getting the best nutrition comes from eating a wide variety of healthy foods including healthy whole grains. Expand your horizons beyond whole wheat (and consider dropping the refined white flour entirely), and check out these fun – and slightly funky-sounding – whole grains.
Grains are seeds of certain crops, and each seed consists of three parts:
The Bran
The Germ
The Endosperm
Whole grains, unlike refined grains, include all parts of the grain kernel. Some people have expressed concerns about certain substances found in grains including phytic acid, which may impair the absorption of minerals and vitamins, and avenin, a protein in the same family as wheat gluten. However, weigh this against the fact that grains have fed humans for eons, and that the rise of many civilizations coincides with the development of agriculture.2
Here are some healthy types of whole grains you may not know about and may want to consider adding to your diet:
Each serving of rye has nearly 7 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein and provides nearly half the body’s daily iron requirements. Rye thrives in colder climates, so it is no wonder that many research studies on its health benefits come from Scandinavian countries:
Buckwheat was probably first cultivated around 4000 B.C. in the Balkan region3. It is not a “true” grain, but rather the seed of a rhubarb-like plant. Buckwheat boasts loads of nutrients, including:
Buckwheat also contains high levels of both protein and soluble fiber, helping slow the absorption rate of glucose. Buckwheat lends itself very well to pancakes, but it also shines in other foods, from blinis to savory side dishes. Oh, and about that “wheat” word? Buckwheat is in no way related to wheat and contains no gluten (remember, it’s not even a grain), making it safe for those with celiac disease.
A tiny, gluten-free and quick-cooking grain, teff has the highest calcium content of any grain and has loads of Vitamin C. Teff is an ancient grain from Northern Africa and has a slightly sweet flavor. Since it is slowly digested, it helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels and delivers a high mineral and fiber content.
Farro, or faro, was the heart of many ancient Romans’ daily meals, and it is sometimes called “the mother of all wheat.”4 Farro is high in fiber and protein and contains cyanogenic glycosides, substances that improve the immune system and lower cholesterol, along with B vitamins and magnesium.
Amaranth is truly a grain of the Americas. Native to South America, Amaranth is a small gluten-free grain with a spicy flavor. It is also a great grain choice for those with celiac disease because it is loaded with protein and amino acids, in addition to calcium and Vitamin C. Amaranth may aid in the prevention and treatment of several health conditions.
Popular in Africa and India, millet is a grain that looks sort of like birdseed. In fact, many birdseed mixes contain millet. But millet is a high-protein grain that is also high in antioxidants and may reduce high triglyceride levels, according to studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea.
Safe for those with celiac disease, sorghum may help fight tumors, protect against diabetes and lower cholesterol. Adapted to growing in hot, arid conditions, sorghum originated in Northeastern Africa, and was domesticated between 5,000 and 8,000 years ago, according to CGIAR. Sorghum, sometimes also called milo, is a dietary mainstay for many “food insecure” people in Africa and Asia. One serving dishes up more than 5 grams of protein.
A type of wheat, whole grain Kamut provides over 40 percent more protein per serving than regular wheat and more protein than an egg.5 Sometimes called the “sweet wheat” because of its lack of bitterness, Kamut originated in the fertile crescent of Mesopotamia and in Egypt. An American aviator allegedly brought the wheat to the U.S. from a tomb in Egypt after World War II. Although the origin story is highly debatable, it earned the ancient wheat the nicknames “King Tut’s Wheat” and “Pharaoh grain”6; Kamut is actually the brand name.
Obviously, different grains provide different benefits, but adding more healthy whole grains of any kind to your diet can increase your fiber intake and help you stay full longer. Eat only whole grain cereals and breads and add more “exotic” whole grains to soups and stews. With the wealth of choices available, there’s really no excuse for not including healthy whole grains in at least one meal every day.
*A health-promoting diet focuses on a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats from nuts and plant oils. Limit intake of both saturated fat and added sugars to less than 10% of your daily calories, and sodium to less than 2,300 mg per day. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but your calorie and other nutrient needs may vary. For dietary guidance specific to you, consult a healthcare provider.
Sign up for our Kaneka Ubiquinol® Newsletter & get tips and resources on cellular wellness, healthy aging, heart health, supplement facts more – delivered right to your inbox.
"*" indicates required fields
You may have learned in science class that mitochondria are the “powerhouse of the cell,” but at Kaneka, we understand that title doesn’t go far...
If you’re still eating the way you did in your 20s and 30s, when a late-night pizza or a skipped breakfast barely impacted you, it...
When it comes to taking care of your heart, misinformation can steer you off course from what really matters. Despite decades of research, myths continue...
