100% whole grains remain king. Kamut, farro, bulgar, sorghum, quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth are rich in fiber and full of B-vitamins which is something that health conscious people look for. An ingredient in many foods including cereals, bars, and frozen meals, ancient grains offer complex carbohydrates which give the body energy. If you’re looking for something delicious and nutritious to eat for a meal or snack, simply scan the ancient grains based dish or bar in the INRFOOD Tracker app on your phone or tablet. You’ll get instant information about the food’s nutritional content without having to look at a label or calculate calories.
If you haven’t seen ancient grains in the supermarket prior to this year, now is the time to start looking for them. You may see the individual ingredients listed on packaging which makes shopping easier. If you don’t, you’ll need to know what the whole grains look like so you can buy them.
Here’s a brief description of what makes each ancient grain ideal:
- Kamut. A wheat variety with high levels of protein, selenium, zinc, and magnesium.
- Farro. An ancient form of wheat known for its nutty flavor and satisfying texture.
- Bulgur. Known as Middle Eastern ‘pasta,’ wheat kernels are boiled, dried, cracked, and assorted in size before being made into side dishes, pilafs, and salad.
- Sorghum. The ancient cereal grain helps lower the risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and neurological disease while offering gluten-free benefits to anyone who eats it.
- Quinoa. Packed with minerals, protein, healthy fats, and folate, it’s a gluten-free source of goodness that many people eat in place of rice.
- Buckwheat. With its nutty flavor and versatility, this rhubarb variety isn’t a wheat but is considered an ancient grain because of its high antioxidant properties.
- Amaranth. Rich in protein, calcium, vitamin C, and other nutrients, this pseudo cereal isn’t necessarily a grain but often categorized as one.
Knowing how nutritious the foods you choose to prepare and consume helps aid you on your journey to eating healthier. The free INRFOOD Tracker app allows you to research over 500,000 different foods and their ingredients. This gives you the opportunity to tweak your diet in a way that benefits you nutritionally. Setting goals for yourself and tracking what you’ve eaten for the day through the iOS and Android app gives you the chance to see the value of vitamins and nutrients.