Aug 03 2013
Buckwheat in the Gluten-Free Diet
Lately, we have been writing about gluten free grain alternatives so that people who need to follow a gluten free diet know about the healthy options that are readily available.
Buckwheat Groats
Another great grain alternative is buckwheat, a fruit seed comparable to a sunflower seed, with a notably nutty taste. There is no gluten in buckwheat, which makes it a great option for individuals following a gluten-free diet. There are many different ways to cook with buckwheat and a lot of unique dishes that can be created. Learning how to cook with this grain alternative will be sure to broaden the different recipes you choose to try, especially when following a gluten-free diet can seem restricting.
Buckwheat Nutrition
Not only is buckwheat a great cooking ingredient; it also provides many nutritional benefits. An important part of a healthy diet is fiber, which buckwheat is considerably high in. It is also high in manganese, magnesium and copper, which all contribute to keeping your immune system healthy. A noteworthy benefit of its high magnesium content is that is can help lower blood pressure, helping to keep your cardiovascular system healthy. Additionally, when compared to grains, buckwheat is found to have much higher protein content. Buckwheat also contains the essential amino acid, lysine, which our bodies are unable to produce on their own.
Cooking Options for Buckwheat
Homemade Buckwheat Soba Noodles
There are many variations for the way that buckwheat can be prepared, purchased and used. You can have buckwheat in the form of noodles (popular in Japanese dishes), groats and flour. Using buckwheat groats, you can cook porridge with a consistency similar to rice. Buckwheat flour is a great way to cook many delicious foods where you would typically use grains. Breakfast foods such as pancakes and waffles taste especially great when using buckwheat in the place of conventional flour.
Written by guest blogger Jaclyn Forbes. Currently working towards her bachelor’s degree in Dietetics at Michigan State University. She hopes to achieve her goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian and share her passion for nutrition with others.
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