Whole Grain

I hope you're already on the whole-grain wagon. Full of protein and fiber, whole grains help keep hunger at bay, so including them in your daily diet can help you maintain a healthy weight. I am here to help you expand your whole-grain horizons, so here are my reasons you should give millet a try.

Yes, it's true that millet is the main ingredient in bird seed, but it's great for people, too. It has a texture similar to couscous and tastes slightly like corn. I do have a millet disclaimer, though: it is not a whole grain but a seed, so it's gluten-free. Millet is high in magnesium and the B vitamin niacin, which can help lower cholesterol.

If you want to see what millet looks like cooked and how it compares nutritionally to other grains, read more

If you're looking for a new grain to try, pick up some farro. Also known as emmer, it's a variety of wheat that originated in the Middle East, but is primarily grown in northern Italy. It's similar to barley and wheat berries, and can be used in place of rice, quinoa, couscous, or other grains in your favorite dishes. It has a satisfyingly chewy texture similar to brown rice, and if you buy semipearled farro, it decreases the cooking time to 45 minutes to an hour.

To see how it compares nutritionally to other grains read more

Baking is always happening at my house, whether it be cookies, muffins, or bread. Not only do I love concocting delicious treats with my girls because it's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but I love that I can make scrumptious foods and know they're made with actual ingredients.

I also think it's fun to try out recipes using different flour. Whole wheat or all purpose is the usual standard, but there are so many other flours out there made from whole grains. They add different flavors, textures, and colors to your recipes, and they can also offer added nutrition. To see how whole-grain flours compare read more

One of my go-to brands is certainly Kashi. I am a fan of almost everything they make and I appreciate their use of whole grains. Kashi breakfast cereals and granola bars are a staple in my house, but they've expanded beyond breakfast and snacks and now make frozen entrées and pizza. Now they're making side dishes like their 7 Whole Grain Pilaf. It's a little packet of food that you just pour into a bowl, microwave for a minute or so, and you have an instant side dish. To find out how it tastes read more

Refined carbs are linked to so many unhealthy things, like obesity, acne, and even throat cancer, so avoiding them is certainly part of a healthy lifestyle. If you are trying to eat more whole grains like rice, oats, and barley, have you ever considered millet? Yes, it is the main ingredient in bird food, but it's great for people, too. You can find it at most health-food stores on the shelf alongside other grains (it is only about $2.25 a pound). If you've never tried millet, here are some reasons to give it a shot.

1. Millet isn't actually a whole grain, it's a seed, which means it's gluten free. It's also a great source of protein. Half a cup of cooked millet has 5.5 grams of protein. That's more than long-grain brown rice, which has 2.5 grams.
2. It can lower high blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attack because it's a great source of magnesium. This mineral can also help reduce the severity of asthma and migraines. One cup of cooked millet has 26 percent of your RDI of magnesium.
3. When cooked, it has a texture similar to couscous or rice. Adding extra liquid and cooking it a bit longer, gives the millet a creamier texture similar to polenta. Since it has a bland, slightly nutty taste, you can flavor with all types of herb and spices. You can add it to cooked cereals, casseroles, soups, and side dishes.

What else should you know about millet? To find out read more

I'm always looking for new breakfast options, and since I branched off from my Kashi GoLean kick and tried Autumn Wheat, I figured I should spread my wings and try other brands of cereal as well. So I picked up a box of Barbara's Shredded Oats. Since I love oatmeal, I thought this cereal would be really tasty. Was it? To find out read more

Who doesn't love a big bowl of pasta? Penne with tomato sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, spinach lasagna, spirals with pesto. There are so many healthy recipes you can make using pasta and now there are so many different kinds of pasta to choose from.

Whole wheat pasta is all the rage right now, but it's not the only healthy pasta out there. Want to see how whole grain pastas compare nutritionally? Then read more