Getting to Know Grains

摘要

Exotic grains are undergoing a kind of renaissance due to their healthy qualities and versatility. Also called heirlooms, these nutrition-packed grains—amaranth, teff, quinoa, spelt, millet, wheatberry, barley, bulgur, farro and buckwheat—are being repurposed on dining menus across the country. Quinoa contains all eight essential amino acids and is high in fiber, so it enables the body to release carbohydrates more slowly, says Jacqueline Sikoski, manager of Nutrition Services and Diabetes Center at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital in Montana. "All of that is good for people who need to manage their blood sugars," Sikoski says. "It's a powerhouse heirloom grain that can be served as a protein replacement."