Wheat Germ

A few years ago I heard a lady suggest to add wheat germ to baked goods. I had no idea what wheat germ was and why I would want to do that. Since then I have learned a lot about it and I add it to foods all the time.  So for those who are unsure of what wheat germ is and why it’s good for you here is a little wheat germ 101.

It’s the part of the wheat kernel that is removed when wheat grains are being ground into flour. It’s a very small part of the whole wheat grains, but it’s rich in nutrients. You can often purchase wheat germ in grain or oil forms in health food sections of grocery stores or at health food stores. (http://healthmad.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-wheat-germ/)

I buy mine at Winco in the bulk food section but I’ve seen it at Walmart too.

Here are just a few reasons:

Digestive cleansing: Wheat germ has lots of fiber, and fiber is good for passing food through your body’s digestive system. In other words, fiber makes you go to the bathroom more often. How can this be good? For one thing, it cleans out your system by urging along any toxins and bad bacteria that otherwise could build up in your stomach or intestines.Healthy skin: Vitamin E also is good for anti-agingand keeping the skin looking young and smooth.Healthy hair: Want your hair to look fantastic? If so, add some wheat germ to your diet. Wheat germ contains thiamin, which contains an important vitamin in keeping your hair strong and natural looking. Thiamin is also good for the bones and skin.

Weight loss: Wheat germ helps in the battle of the bulge, too. Vitamin B6 found in wheat germ is important in keep the body’s metabolism going strong, and if the metabolism is going strong then the body is burning more calories. Thus, less weight. Also, Vitamin B5 found in wheat germ helps in the body’s energy production, and a higher energy production means more calories burnt. Again, more weight loss.

Disease resistance: All that Vitamin E and Vitamin B, as well as all the other nutrient found in wheat germ, helps to body to fight all kinds of different diseases, even cancer.

(http://www.suite101.com/content/nutritional-benefits-of-wheat-germ-a96923#ixzz17OzygAXD)

You can add it to about any baked food and even other foods. Here are a few ideas:

Brownies and cookies

Cereal

Oatmeal

Pancakes and waffles

Smoothies

Yogurt

Bread and muffin mixes

Cottage Cheese

Casseroles

This depends on what you are adding it to.  I usually add a tablespoon or two.  But if it’s a pancake mix or something like that you can add 1/2 a cup.  Some people even substitute it for part of the flour.

Because of the delicate oils in wheat germ it needs to be kept in the fridge in an airtight container.  You can also freeze it.