Whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet, but that doesn’t mean we always want to eat them. Learn about the most delicious whole grains to eat now.
If you look up the classic food pyramid, you’ll see that whole grains are included in the largest section at the base of the pyramid, suggesting that we’re supposed to eat a variety of grains throughout the day. The modernized food pyramid continues to educate us on how important whole grains are in a healthy diet.
However, just because we’re supposed to eat whole grains doesn’t mean that we always want to. Luckily, there are certain grains that taste better than others and make it easier for us to include them in our diets. What are the most delicious whole grains? Keep reading to find out.
Definition of Whole Grains
While you may have a basic understanding of what grains are, whole grains are a specific category of grains that have great health benefits. Whole grains are grains that contain the bran, germ, and endosperm of the seed. All grains are seeds, but only grains that contain these three important parts are considered whole grains. Underneath the umbrella of whole grains, you’ll find cereals and pseudocereals. Cereals come from grasses such as pats and rye, while pseudocereals come from fruits and seeds that we consume, like grasses such as quinoa or buckwheat.
Delicious Cereals
Rice and oats are probably the most popular and delicious cereal whole grains because they are the most versatile. They also don’t have a strong flavor by themselves, which allows you to customize them to any taste you like. Brown, red, and black rice are the healthiest versions of rice since they’re rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients.
You’ll see these different kinds of rice featured in various recipes from around the world and can cook them in various ways. Whole grains are one of the many types of food you can cook in a steam oven as well, which is one of the healthiest cooking methods, so give that a try as you experiment with these whole grains.
Delicious Pseudocereals
Quinoa and buckwheat are probably the two most popular pseudocereal whole grains, and they are both gluten-free, which is great for people with dietary restrictions. Buckwheat is commonly ground into a flour, so you can cook and eat it in various ways, from pancakes to homemade noodles.
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On the other hand, most people eat quinoa whole, and you can cook it in various ways. Many people boil or steam quinoa like they would any other whole grain, but their small size means you can easily bake or roast them as well, as long as there’s enough liquid to make it soft enough to chew. There are over 120 different kinds of quinoa, but you’re most likely to find white, red, and black quinoa on grocery store shelves. Red quinoa is the healthiest option because it’s higher in antioxidants than most other kinds of quinoa.
The most delicious whole grains are rice, oats, buckwheat, and quinoa, although there are many other whole-grain options for you to try. As you experiment with different cooking methods and learn more about the whole grains available to you, you’ll find the whole grains that taste the best to you and give you the nutrients that you need.
