Saturday, March 28, 2020

A health-filled grain that's tasty and not tough

If you have to eat gluten free like me, I am always looking for a new taste and texture in my hunt for grain/carb satisfaction.

While reviewing a health story from December, 2019 in Consumer Reports online, I found something new (to me). The CR report talks about "Get the anti-aging benefits of whole grains - these 5 foods make it easier to switch from refined grains to healthier ones. Find it here:   https://www.consumerreports.org/healthy-eating/whole-grains-anti-aging-benefits/?EXTKEY=YCRBRAND_LL0115A

The BIG surprise?  I never expected to find a gluten free grain I was not familiar with after being gluten free for 11 years. But, I did. It's called Teff. I had thought it was a wheat derivative. It's not!

Then, to find other support of this claim, I found old article from 2013, supporting the recent CR one giving a lot more interesting details. Find it here: https://www.allergicliving.com/2013/10/07/teff-a-surprising-addition-to-the-gluten-free-diet/

The best line from the Allergic Living story is this: "Using Teff is Not Tough."

Teff comes in both seeds and flour which make it easy to incorporate to recipes. Take a look at the chart and start experimenting to increase nutrition and taste in baked goods. This type of recipe adapts well because there's usually a sweetener and oils/butters to enhance moisture absorption to disperse flavors.

Wishing you good health today in these trying times, and always,

~ Leeanne