Perfect in porridges, a star as side dishes, or delicious in desserts, whole grains are as versatile as they are nutritious! Include an array of whole grains in your diet to reap the benefits of their unique flavors, culinary uses, and nutrients. Here are 10 ways to incorporate whole grains into your diet.
10 Ways to Eat More Whole Grains
- Combine warm oats or millet with fresh or dried fruits and nuts for a nutrient-packed breakfast that’s bound to start your day on a really, really good note.
- Prepare a batch of whole grains at the beginning of the week to have on hand as a wholesome complement to your meals. Cooked grains keep for about three to five days in your fridge, so you’ll be able to make delicious grain-inspired dishes throughout the week. Alternatively, you can freeze half to keep on hand for future use.
- Include oats in your smoothies, like in our Classic Breakfast Smoothie. It’s an easy way to give your smoothie more staying power.
- Give your standard green salad a fiber-filled boost with cooked grains. Top salads with a serving of cooked and cooled quinoa or wild rice to enhance the texture and flavor.
- Take them on the go. Whole grain salads make delicious meals that hold up well throughout the day. Say goodbye to sad, wilted greens or your boring brown bag lunch. Case in point: 3 Sisters Wild Rice Salad.
- Add a scoop of uncooked bulgar, brown rice, or quinoa to your favorite veggie soup or stew while it’s simmering.
- Swap out all or half of the all-purpose flour in your favorite baked goods for whole wheat. Try it first with our Apple Pie Crumble.
- Don’t dismiss corn. It’s great on the cob or as kernels on a salad. You can also enjoy it as your favorite movie-watching snack (we’re looking at you, popcorn) or as polenta. Our recipe for Savory Polenta with Roasted Balsamic Mushrooms & Tomatoes is one of those meals you’ll want to make again and again.
- Make a whole-grain dish the star of the show. We often think of whole grains as an accompaniment to a meal. Making them the focus is an easy way to boost your daily quota of fiber. This Stuffed Squash with Curry Spiced Sorghum is the perfect example.
- Enjoy whole grains as a snack, whether it’s granola atop yogurt or in nutrient-dense energy bites.
When it comes to including whole grains in your diet, the sky’s the limit. With so many grains available in the market, it’s a fun way to diversify your diet while also pumping up your nutrient intake.
