4 Guilt-free carbs

Here are the main supergrains to consider:

1. Bulgur
This whole wheat is cleaned, steamed, dried, and then ground into an assortment of different formats including fine, medium and coarse.

Bulgur is a supergrain that has been precooked, making it a very quick option for when you’re in a hurry. It takes 10 minutes of boiling to cook so it’s ready to eat. Many individuals will choose to replace rice with bulgur in recipes to boost the total nutritional content.

2. Quinoa
Quinoa offers more protein than plain rice, including a full complement of essential amino acids, which rice lacks. This grain has a light and fluffy texture, and gives off a mild nutty flavor. Quinoa is often eaten for breakfast instead of traditional oatmeal. The process of cooking quinoa is similar to that of brown rice: bring water to a boil first, and then allow the supergrain to simmer for 14 to 16 minutes.

3. Flax
Flax is a very rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fat. It is also a rich source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Finally, flax is a source of lignans, which have been shown to help reduce a variety of cancers in the body.

4. Millet
Millet is a very good grain option for those who are intolerant to gluten as it is gluten-free and rich in many B vitamins. It’s also a good source of folic acid, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.

Millet does tend to have a negative impact on the uptake of iodine to the thyroid, so those with thyroid issues may want to opt for a different grain.

Supersize With Supergrains

So, before you grow bored with your traditional carbohydrate sources of rice, pasta or oatmeal, give one of these supergrains a try. The greater variety you can incorporate into your diet, the easier it will be to stick to that diet and the more well-rounded nutrition you will receive.