17 Healthy Grains You've Never Heard Of

greatist.com:

For many, whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet. Consuming at least three servings of whole grains per day (one serving is a 1/2 cup of cooked grains like oatmeal or rice, or one slice of bread) can reduce the risk of some chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. One study also showed that eating whole grains in place of refined grains can reduce potentially dangerous excess abdominal fat, buildup that can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and even cause insulin resistance (potentially leading to diabetes).

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Comments

[krayoncolorz]

10:34 AM on 04/27/2012

if it contains gluten it really isn't healthy as most people have gluten sensitivities even if they don't know it. going gluten, dairy and as sugar free as possible and eating real whole foods is the best bet.

[Mehitabelle]

02:58 AM on 04/27/2012

Where would one acquire this strange and unheard-of grain called "barley"? I've heard of most of these "unheard of" grains, and I know I'm not alone. Seriously......

[DrP]

11:30 PM on 04/26/2012

There is no valid science to support the health claims of consuming grains in any form.For many of us, grain free and sugar free is the path to good health.

[urkiddinme]

03:52 PM on 04/25/2012

When are we going to get off the crazy grain train and realize that they are one of the root causes of the current obesity epidemic? Vegetables, particularly green veggies, provide more of EVERYTHING that grains do with none of the negatives (increased appetite is an example). Why do nutritionists, RDs, and MDs continue to recommend a bowl of cereal over a bunch of broccoli?

[I-US]

12:22 PM on 04/26/2012

Because humans have been eating grains for thousands of years (as early as 100,000 years ago) and this is a "current obesity epidemic," and nutritionists do not recommend cereal over broccoli. Perhaps when people quit confusing amaranth for Pop Tarts, we can have a breakthrough.

[urkiddinme]

12:58 PM on 04/26/2012

More like ten thousand years according to all the sources I've checked. And yes, nutritionists DO. I went to a nutritionist when I was trying to lose my last ten pounds; even though I was and still am eating a very clean diet I figured she could offer some helpful tweaks. Her "idea" was to cut protein and increase...you guessed it...whole grains. She suggested Kashi cereal (I believe many varieties are made with amaranth, incidentally) and wheatberries. Well, that didn't work. But guess how I did lose the last ten pounds? Ditching grain entirely and increasing protein. Like most people, I LOVE grains -- all the ones in the slideshow are delicious; I love brown rice and heavy whole wheat bread and all that...the unfortunate truth is that they ALL spark the appetite and are VERY easily overeaten and they ALL affect blood sugar and insulin negatively and they ALL contribute to belly bloat. They provide NOTHING that vegetables don't provide more of and which is better absorbed. They make up TOO MUCH of the typical American diet ("healthy" grains and processed crap) and contribute little nutritional value to the equation.

[DrP]

11:31 PM on 04/26/2012

Ten thousand years. A mere blip on the evolutionary screen. We are not adapted to eating grains and the health consequences are glaringly evident.