Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Wheat Germ

I have decided to change my family's eating habits. Nothing really to do with the new year, but just a commitment to living a healthy lifestyle so our daughter will be taught healthy habits. One of my favorite "health foods" is wheat germ. This part of wheat is packed with vitamins and minerals!!! High in Folic Acid, vitamin E, fiber, protein, Magnesium, Zinc, Thiamin and other. I just sprinkle a tablespoon of it on everything- cereal, yogurt, in rolls/breads, soup, in brownies/cakes/desserts, Margaret's quesadillas, you name it, it goes. It's a simple thing that packs nutrients into sometimes not so nutritious foods.

Has anyone else tried wheat germ or have other tips to boost the nutritional value of food?

7 comments:

Linz said...

Does it taste bad? Do you feel like you can taste it in those foods you put it in? How is it sold? I picture it in a bulk aisle at the grocery store but have never bought it myself.

Jen L said...

I can't taste it at all. If you were to eat it straight it tastes like wheat, but in something it just blends right in. Wheat germ is little flakes, so it's not like you're eating a wheat berry or something "substantial" in mass so you barely even notice it. I added it to everything I cooked last night for company (2 Tb each in brownies, soup and rolls) and even after I told them they couldn't pick out the taste.

It can be found in most breakfast isles (by the oatmeal) and the stuff we buy comes in a glass jar. It spoils quickly unless it's in the fridge/freezer so it usually isn't sold in bulk.

katie said...

Thanks, Jen, for the great tip! I'm always looking for ways to pack more nutrients into our food. One food I have been using more lately is flax oil. I use it mainly to boost the caloric intake for my daughter, but it is super high in Omega-3 and Lignans too. You can mix it in yogurt, oatmeal, cottage cheese, smoothies, etc... I also use it when I make sweet potatoes or squash instead of butter.

Claire said...

I use to eat wheat germ all the time growing up, but the only thing I put it in as yogurt. I thought it was pretty yummy though!

Jodee said...

I do the same with Flax seed meal- sprinkle it in EVERYTHING! Very good Omega 3's too!

Unknown said...

I put wheat germ in with sloppy joe sauce to boost the nutrients a bit, and it doesn't alter the taste. You can see the flakes, but it's no big deal.

FYI on flax seeds (not ground or oil, but the actual whole seeds): I found out that you're not supposed to eat them if you're pregnant or nursing because they make your food (and therefore, the nutrients) travel through you too quickly to be absorbed by the baby/your breastmilk. I doubt most people would use them, but my friend gave me a great bread recipe that has the option of including various things like flax seeds, oatmeal, etc., and I asked my nurse about it when I was nursing baby #2.

The Schacher Family said...

How much does wheat germ cost?