Whole grain flours are much more nutritious than white refined flours. Whole-grain flours have insoluble fiber very necessary to help our intestines eliminate properly. There are several benefits to transition from white-refined baked goods:
- Baked products made with whole-grain flours have more flavor
- Whole-grain flour has fiber that helps our system with constipation issues
- Fiber has complex carbohydrates to help you feel more satisfied longer after eating
- Whole-grain products contain more nutrients
Instead of buying at the grocery store the regular, same-old white bread you usually buy, you’ll now purchase instead:
- 100% whole-wheat bread – it’s important to read the labels, because there are many sandwich bread brands out there that contain some form of whole-wheat flour, but still the main flour is white. The label should say 100% whole-wheat and the first ingredient in the list should be whole-wheat flour.
- Now, there are brands of whole-wheat semi baked baguettes too.
- Local bakeries, even Pan Pepín in Puerto Rico, bake whole-wheat pan criollo – order this the next time you order a sandwich in a local panadería
- Buy whole-wheat pita breads – these are great for sandwiches and even for pizzas. They come in a small and larger sizes.
- Whole-wheat or whole-grain pastas
- In any major supermarket now there’s a variety of whole-wheat and alternative grain pastas in a variety of presentations – penne, macaroni, lasagna and fettuccini noodles, among others.
- Try some alternative grain pastas – like those made out of Rice, Brown rice, Quinoa, etc.
- Baked Goods made from Whole-Wheat or Whole Grains
- In many supermarkets and health food stores there’s a wide variety of baked goods made from whole-wheat and other whole grains, such as:
- Guava Pastelillos – Made in Las Marías, here in Puerto Rico
- Health Food stores carry several boxed cake mixes made with whole-wheat or alternative flours, for the Baker who does not feel comfortable making cakes from scratch.
- But if you’re comfortable making things from scratch here are a few cake and cookie recipes you can certainly try:
- In many supermarkets and health food stores there’s a wide variety of baked goods made from whole-wheat and other whole grains, such as:
It’s not that difficult to transition from white/refined baked goods to whole-grain… it just takes a few different choices when we go to the grocery store will bring much more health and nutrition to our lives. Try it… you will not regret it.
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