Image by Christine Schmidt from Pixabay

• Share

PRINT

Grains can be confusing. We hear “eat more whole grains” and then “cut out grains.” What should we actually be doing?

Grains are loaded with nutrients, including B vitamins and carbohydrates, your body’s main source of energy.

In addition, whole grains such as oats and brown rice are good sources of fiber, protein and even more vitamins and minerals. It’s recommended that at least half of your daily grains be whole grains.

Eat, but don’t overdo

The concern with grains isn’t so much that they aren’t nutritious. It’s the quantity consumed. A serving of up to one cup of grains provides beneficial nutrients. However larger servings may contain more calories than needed daily from the grain group.

Grains are pretty easy to prepare — boil a liquid, add the grain, simmer — ta da! These days it’s even easier with the wide array of microwaveable pouches and cups on the market.

But how do these “instant grains” compare to traditionally prepared grains? Should they be included in a healthy eating plan?

As long as you stick to the basic grains, those without flavors or seasonings added, instant grains are comparable to traditional grains, nutritionally speaking. In fact, being able to heat up a pouch of brown rice or steel cut oats in 60 to 90 seconds, versus the longer simmering process of traditional cooking, may make including them in your diet much easier.

Helpful hints

Keep these ideas in mind the next time you pick up some instant grains:

— Season yourself. Flavored savory grains can be full of sodium. Your best bet is buying them plain and adding your own sodium-free herbs and spices.

— Don’t be heavy handed while dishing out. Most serving sizes for these are one cup. While this is a decent amount for a side dish, it may be less than you are used to when compared to serving out of a large pot of rice or other grain.

— Sweetness. Flavored instant oats can provide substantial amounts of sugar. Some have nearly 5 teaspoons of sugar in one cup. Stick to the unflavored and sprinkle on your favorite spices or drizzle with a bit of maple syrup.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 1-800-829-5384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com.
© 2019 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

For additional information, see The Beacon’s “Our quick guide to grains.“