Four Forgotten Superfoods: PART THREE

Have you checked out the first two forgotten superfoods yet? If not, you might want to take a look. This series is all about the most nutritious foods no one ever eats anymore. These are foods you don't want to skip! A small serving daily will add so many nutrients to your diet.

Today, we are discussing a food I used to eat all the time. It's easy to throw into baked goods, shakes, or just sprinkle over yogurt or even salads. I'm talking about wheat germ.

Back in the 1970s, everyone knew wheat germ was a health food. We always had a jar in our fridge. But somewhere along the way, wheat germ was forgotten. I'm guessing most of the people reading this blog do not eat wheat germ.

But there are many good reasons to take another look at this superfood. The germ of the wheat is where most of the nutrients lie. If you eat white bread, or anything made from white flour, the nutrition (the germ and the bran) has been removed, leaving just the starch. Also the flavor and texture of the wheat has been removed. I happen to love the flavor of whole grain, as well as the texture.

The benefits of adding wheat germ to your diet include boosting the immune system, reducing factors associated with heart disease, preventing some types of cancer, and increasing athletic performance. Wheat germ is high in Vitamin E, folate, many B vitamins, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and selenium.

Raw wheat germ is best, as high heat will destroy the Vitamin E. But toasted wheat germ, which can be found in every grocery store, is better than nothing. Store wheat germ in the fridge to prevent the oils from going rancid.