Cooking with
Celestina
September is National Whole Grains Month, which promotes choosing whole grains over
refined grains. Ideally, we should be consuming about half of our grains as whole grains;
which include grains like wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, quinoa, sorghum, spelt, rye, and even
popcorn!
So, what makes a grain whole? Naturally, a grain contains three key edible parts – the bran,
the germ, and the endosperm – protected by an inedible husk that protects the kernel from
assaults by sunlight, pests, water, and disease. Whole grains contain all three parts of the
kernel. The refining process normally removes the bran and the germ, leaving only the endo-
sperm. Witho ut the bran and germ, protein and nutrients are lost. Sometimes processors will
add these nutrients back in as “enriched,” but whole grains are going to be healthier overall.
www.encantadomag.com
Cooking with Celestina