My go-to weeknight meal often features a side of brown rice. It's versatile and more nutritious than white rice and is easy to throw in a rice cooker or boil away on the stove while I'm preparing the main course.
But sometimes a dinner calls for a few other nutritional powerhouses. The next time you find yourself in the mood for something that can cook quickly in boiling water, try these alternatives instead — they're just as easy to cook and packed with even more nutrients!
If you're watching your weight, counting calories really works — just ask Kate Hudson. Recently, I wrote about the handfuls of both veggies and fresh fruits you can eat and consume under 100 calories. Healthy whole grains are a little different.
Learn what 100 calories look like from brown rice to quinoa when you read more
Last week I made a really yummy breakfast quinoa using a recipe from FitSugar reader leens824. Not only was it delicious, it reminded me that when it comes to warm, hearty breakfasts and whole grains, oatmeal isn't the only option. Check out some of the things I do at home to incorporate different whole grains into my breakfast.
What I hope you're getting from this is that almost any whole grain makes a great hot bowl of cereal in the morning. Just prepare the grain the way you normally would and then add all the fixings, much like you do with oatmeal. Or as I do in the case of farro, cook the grain in lowfat coconut or regular milk to give it an added dimension of flavor. While all whole grains are good sources of fiber, vitamin E, iron, manganese, and zinc, they are not created equally. Some have higher levels of protein — like amaranth and quinoa — but others are antioxidant powerhouses, like barley. Start experimenting with your morning cereal and see which one works best for you!
When perusing the cereal aisle, I have come across boxes boasting that they contain amaranth. This started me wondering, is it healthier than other grains?
Amaranth was a staple in the diets of pre-Columbian Aztecs, who believed it had supernatural powers and incorporated it into their religious ceremonies. Ground amaranth seed was mixed with honey and then shaped into idols that were eaten. This practice appalled the conquistadors so the grain was forbidden by the Spanish. If it weren't for a few remote areas in the Andes and Mexico still growing this crop, amaranth would have been lost to us forever.
Today it is used in different cultures. In Mexico, it is popped and mixed with a sugar solution to make a treat called "alegria" (happiness). They also mill and roast the amaranth seed to make a drink called "atole." Peruvians use it to make beer, and the flowers can also be used to treat toothaches and fevers.
I thought it was a grain, but amaranth is actually an herb. The seeds are used to make cereal and flour (which is used to make pasta, bread crumbs, and baked goods). Amaranth seeds can also be popped like popcorn, sprouted, or toasted.
Yes, amaranth is highly nutritious. Want to know more? Then read more
