Multi-tasking Whole Grains

Those words are everywhere! MULTI-GRAIN! WHOLE GRAIN! Once the new (and highly-flawed) USDA pyramid came out recommending more whole grains, every food maker from Kellog to Kraft slapped the words "contains whole grain" on their boxes. Never mind the fact that if it comes in a big box with pictures and promises of good health on it, it is highly processed and probably not healthy at all. Because of all the money poured into misleading marketing, there are a lot of otherwise smart people out there thinking that Cheerios are a fantastic source of whole grain. This is becoming a pet peeve of mine so I thought I would tell you about some truly amazing sources of whole grains. These are the type of carbohydrates you should be eating MORE of!

Cheerios have 3 g of fiber and 3 g of protein per serving PLUS the following: modfied corn starch, sugar, salt, tripotasium phosphate, oat fiber, wheat starch, vitamin e (mixed tocopherols) added to preserve freshness ...

These whole grains below, which are all as easy to cook as rice, have more fiber and protein per serving and none of the junk!

Pearled Barley: 8 g fiber, 5 g protein per serving!
Quinoa: 4 g fiber, 6 g protein per serving!
Kasha: 3 g fiber, 5 g protein per serving!
Wheatberries: 6 g fiber, 6 g protein per serving! These are my favorite - nutty, dense and delicious.

These are grains that multi-task and will give you great energy. You can find them at Whole Foods or any major health food store. Not sure how to cook them? Just google "how to cook quinoa." It really is that easy. Enjoy!