Grains

Buckwheat is an ancient grain that deserves more and better press than it gets. It’s gluten-free, chock-full of nutrients, and tasty. Plus, it retains its whole grain qualities even as a flour. While buckwheat is a common ingredient in some Asian and Eastern European cuisines, it hasn’t yet made much of a culinary or nutritional splash in the West. So what is buckwheat, and why should most people eat more of it?

While processed grains like those made from white flour can lead to health problems, many whole grains might actually be good for you. So what makes something a whole grain? What kinds are available beyond wheat, rice, and corn? And how can you safely incorporate them into a healthy, convenient, and economical lifestyle?

Roughly one-quarter of all calories consumed in the United States come from refined flour made from grains — mostly wheat. Maybe that’s fine — after all, humans have been grinding grain into flour for tens of thousands of years. And, maybe it isn’t — modern milling methods produce flour that may be contributing to our twin epidemics of obesity and chronic disease. In this article, we’ll discuss the different kinds of flour, which are healthier than others, and how can you healthfully incorporate them into your diet.

In this episode of our How to Cook video series, you’ll explore the delicious and nutritious world of whole grains with Food Revolution Network’s Dietitian and Recipe Developer, Nichole Dandrea-Russert, RDN. Learn why you may want to embrace and enjoy a variety of whole grains if you want optimal health. And watch Nichole’s video to learn how to prepare three different types of healthy whole grains — quinoa, brown rice, and Kamut.

Are you interested in eating more plant-based foods, but can’t imagine giving up your family’s special holiday meat meal? Don’t despair; it turns out that pretty much every cuisine can be enjoyed, sometimes with a bit of modification, by those who choose to eliminate animal products from their diets. This article shares some of the easiest, fanciest, and most delicious traditional recipes from around the world, with all of them suitable for even the strictest vegan. And meat-loving friends probably won’t complain either!

A good night’s sleep is one of the foundations of health. Yet our modern lifestyles can undermine our sleep, which can lead to fatigue and set the stage for low moods and chronic disease. The good news is that the latest research tells us there are proven steps you can take to improve your sleep — starting with what you eat and drink.

Teff is a tiny grain that delivers big-time nutrition. It has a longstanding history, deep cultural significance, and remarkable nutritional value.

Humans have been preserving food by dehydrating it for thousands of years. And it’s still one of the easiest, cheapest, and healthiest ways of making some of your favorite fruits and veggies available all year round. In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of food dehydrating, explore different methods, help you decide whether this is something you want to do, and if it is, get you started on your own food dehydration projects.

Food and climate change: Which foods are the most damaging to the planet? And which foods could help save it? Check out the current state of climate change and see what research says about the impact of certain foods.

Salads have gone from tiny starters of lettuce, tomato, and cucumber to the main courses of elegant and elaborate meals. Is this a trend toward higher-quality eating, or a way to hide our terrible diets behind a virtuous description? In this article, we’ll take a look at the “salad as main course” trend, and help you create stunning and satisfying salads that are also great for you.

If you’re a plant, you need phosphorus to grow healthy seeds, flowers, and roots. And you store that phosphorus in a compound known as phytate. If you’re a human being, you’ve probably heard that phytates are bad for you since they block the absorption of essential nutrients. But is that true? Should you avoid phytates? Do they have redeeming qualities? Here’s what you need to know about this often misunderstood compound.

Eating healthfully doesn’t have to be hard. It just means consuming a variety of whole, plant-based foods on a regular basis. But there are some simple strategies that can accelerate the nutrient value you derive from your food. In this article, we’ll look at the science of food sourcing, preparation, and combining for maximum nutritional benefit.