Explore New Foods and Flavors

Break the monotony of everyday meals by adding a new food weekly.  While it may not be the season to find new fruits and vegetables, there is a nice variety of unique whole grains on the grocery shelves.

Here are a few of my new favorite grains to try:

Millet

You might have seen the small yellow seed in birdseed-yet in Asia, India and Western Europe millet is a staple grain.  This non-gluten grain cooks on stove top in 20 minutes and is a high magnesium whole grain that's a great substitute for rice.

Teff

Teff has over twice the iron of other grains and three times the calcium.  This versatile, sweet flavored grain is good in stews, grain bowls and ground in flours for cakes and muffins.

Spelt

If you're going to pick one new whole grain to try-this is the one.  Spelt can be used in place of common wheat.  While it has less gluten forming potential than durum wheat, the results are softer breads with golden colors with a taste that melts in your mouth.

Kamut

Kamut wheat is a nutritious source of iron, fiber, zinc and magnesium.  It has higher levels of protein and more Vitamin E than common wheat.  Like spelt, it produces a softer golden texture in baked goods.  It also works well in pasta flours.

National Nutrition Month^® is an annual nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  See more healthy eating tips from the Academy's registered dietitian nutritionists here.