What is it Wednesday? – Barley

What it looks like?

What is it?

Whole grain barley is a high-fiber, high-protein healthy food with lots of benefits. When cooked it has a chewy texture similar to brown rice.

Barley does contain gluten which means people with celiac disease should not eat it.

Health benefits?

Barley is a virtually fat-free food, high in fiber and is cholesterol-free. It’s also known to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

How to use it?

Barley has many uses. It can be used as a base malt for beer and other distilled beverages as well as a component in health foods.

It’s also great in soups, stews and salads. You can basically eat it like you would eat any other grain like couscous or rice.

Barley can be cooked using a rice cooker or boiling water or vegetable broth.

VC&C thoughts:

Barley is something I really like to add to stews in the winter time.  In the summer I like to add it to salads because the chewy texture goes really well with the crisp lettuce.

One of the best things about barley (at least for me) is that it keeps me full for a really long time.  It’s great to have in the morning because it will keep me full well into lunch time.

Question:

What is your favorite way to eat barley?

Disclaimer: I must say I’m not a registered dietitian. This post is based on my own personal knowledge, opinions and research.