Think whole grains means resorting to eating something that tastes akin to cardboard? We have good news for you.
Freekeh Foods, the manufacturer of ancient grains for modern times, has an alternative for them that provides all the whole grain health benefits yet is infused with flavor and protein. Available in original, rosemary sage and tamari varieties, freekeh can be used in all of the classic fall and holiday recipes such as soups, stews, pilafs, stuffing and much more.
“On average, Americans consume 6.4-oz equivalents of grains per day – with only 0.6-oz. equivalents of whole grains per day,” according to a recent Storm Lake Pilot Tribune article. That’s a mere one-tenth of what they should be getting. Part of the reason for this nutritional oversight is the tendency for package labels to be misleading. Oftentimes, in an effort to make consumers believe their products are healthy, manufacturers will insinuate that they are whole grain when in fact they don’t meet the definition of a whole grain.
We had a chance to try Freekeh this past month, and were impressed not only by the flavor and ease of cooking, but also how full and satiated we stayed after eating it. This stuff is delicious, nutty, and has much more body than traditional brown rice.
The culinary team at Crave Local chose to stay 100% vegan with the recipe, and came up with a Freekeh Veggie Salad, with pink beans, basil, red onion, sweet orange and red peppers, and fresh basil, with a lemon vinaigrette. You can find the recipe here.
In her new book, Smart Eating Made Simple, educator and nutritionist Jane Ibbetson talks about the benefits of micronutrients in things like intact whole grains, unprocessed foods. According to Ibbetson, plant-based meals provide more than enough protein and energy for the body, and can aid with preventing disease, stress management, and overall health.
As the whole grain controversy continues, the ancient grain freekeh is gaining in popularity due to its fiber and protein combination that provides a more complete grain than most other grain varietals. In fact, Freekeh Foods recently received an “A” ranking for nutritional value from CalorieCount.com. With 8 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and 130 calories per low-fat serving, “Freekeh is a winning combination of protein, fiber and flavor,” says Joel Harper, NYC Celebrity Personal Trainer and Personal Trainer to Dr. Oz, who has freekeh listed in his “7 Essential Ingredients for Women over 40”.
In addition to being chock full of diet-friendly protein and fiber, freekeh is all-natural and easy to cook in a wide array of delicious ways for today’s ultra-busy Americans. Some of the recipes featured in the “30 Ways to Freekeh” cookbook include tasty, healthy dishes such as Italian chicken with freekeh, sun-dried tomatoes and wilted spinach, Vegetarian freekeh burgers with chipotle mustard, and the ultimate autumn combination that the whole family will love, Roasted pumpkin with chicken apple sausage.
Freekeh Foods’ all-natural, ancient grain freekeh is available for purchase at major retailers including Whole Foods and Wegmans as well as many other retailers throughout the United States starting at $3.99 per 8 oz. bag. To help its customers get the most out of the product, Freekeh Foods has just released a cookbook titled “30 Ways to Freekeh.”
For additional information and/or to purchase online, please visit www.Freekeh-Foods.com
About Freekeh Foods
Freekeh Foods is the leading US manufacturer of the all-natural, roasted green wheat whole grain known as freekeh. With flavors such as tamari and rosemary sage, the Minnesota-based company is also proud to be the leading manufacturer of flavored freekeh. Farm to table and sustainably produced, freekeh packs eight grams of protein and four grams of fiber into every serving. The product is versatile in all types of recipes including main dishes, sides, salads and a whole lot more. www.Freekeh-Foods.com