The Truth About Wheat

Wheat is a pretty magical grain. The staff of life. But it can also be challenging to incorporate into our diets. So why store it?
Well, let's list a few reasons...

• Its storage life is practically eternal. If stored in the right conditions, an airtight container in a cool,dry place, it will last 30+ years. Last week my grandparents asked if I would try to make some bread out of their 50 year old wheat...yes, 50 years old...and it worked! It was a little denser than the bread I usually make, but it worked and was VERY edible.
• The health benefits are significant...
• one of the world's healthiest foods
• stroke risk reduced 30-36%
• type 2 diabetes risk reduced 21-30%
• heart disease risk reduced 25-28%
• reduced risk of asthma
• healthier carotid arteries
• reduction of inflammatory disease risk
• lower risk of colorectal cancer
• healthier blood pressure levels
• less gum disease and tooth loss
• better weight maintenance
• It is versatile...
• "Most people know that wheat can be ground into flour and used for making bread. But the so-called “staff of life” can also be cracked, sprouted and soaked and used in salads, soups, entrees, desserts and sauces. A good wheat bread recipe can be used to make cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, pizza crusts, calzones, focaccia bread and a host of other foods. And, the same flour used to make bread can also be used to make pancakes, waffles, cakes, cookies and other treats." ~Daily Herald, Sept. 2008

If you don't eat many wheat products now, incorporate it slowly. Too much of a good thing is not always a good thing. You might also try using 1/2 wheat flour with 1/2 white flour while baking. See how you do. You don't want to wait for a crisis to try and get used to wheat (particularly if you discover you have an allergy). An excellent way to start is by making something sweet. So, next time you make your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, substitute all or half of the flour with whole wheat. You will never know the difference! (You can do this with any recipe calling for brown sugar as the darker flour will not be noticeable.)