Archive for category Health and Fitness
Avoid Wheat and Eat Gluten Free Buckwheat Instead
Posted by admin in Health and Fitness on July 24th, 2010
Introduction
Frequently thought of as a grain even though the truth is it is definitely a fruit and is similar to rhubarb and sorrel, it is a component of the Polygonaceae family.
Buckwheat contains no gluten so it is a fantastic replacement for people with celiacs and also persons who have a food sensitivity to wheat.
1 of the advantages of buckwheat is that it is low GI (glycaemic index), indicating that it is not going to substantially raise blood sugar concentrations.
The typical way to use buckwheat is to hull the kernels, named groats. Kasha commonly consumed in eastern europe is roasted buckwheat groats.
Nutrition
Buckwheat specifics:
- has more protein than rice, wheat, millet, or corn
- is higher in minerals than grains, especially zinc, copper and manganese, also contains chromium, magnesium, phosphorus and folic acid
- contains linoleic acid
- contains all 8 essential amino acids (which also helps the body to process the protein it contains), and is high in lysine and arginine
- has a healthful amount of monounsaturated fatty acids
- contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, E, and P
Heart Health
Buckwheat assists to reduce and stabilize blood sugar concentrations following meals as it lowers the body’s blood glucose and insulin responses. This seems to be owing to the existence of chiro-inositol which according to opening research done by a Canadian team makes cells more sensitive to insulin.
It contains flavinoids (which are a type of phytonutrients) that are favorable for heart and circulatory health. Flavinoids work as antioxidants, and help to stop the blood from clotting. It comprises high ranges of antioxidant polyphenols including rutin which supports the circulatory system and helps avert recurrent bleeding caused by impaired blood vessels. It also contains quercitin, believed to boost healing in the body.
Buckwheat is the most suitable cholesterol lowering food as it lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol). It helps to eliminate fat and provide defense against arthrosclerosis. It comprises proteins that reduce the activity of angiotension converting enzyme (ACE) indicating hypertension (high blood pressure) is decreased.
The magnesium (found in buckwheat) improves blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels which also results in reduced blood pressure. A study in Iowa revealed that diets which contain greater levels of magnesium lowers the probability of getting diabetes.
If this kind of information interests you then you may wish to browse through several other super foods.
Fiber and Intestinal Health
Buckwheat features dietary fiber in a soluble form that helps decrease blood cholesterol concentrations and the probability of colon cancer. It is high in resistant starch which assists in reducing blood sugar levels (fagopyritols) and improves colon health. Diets high in fiber can help women to avert gallstones. Insoluble fiber quickens the time food takes to move through the intestines and lessens how much bile acid is released.
Even more cheering is that buckwheat may act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of probiotics (friendly bacteria) in the digestive tract.
Liver Health
Given that buckwheat features scores of B complex vitamins it is recommended for liver disorders and illnesses where it is recommended to limit the amount of sugary substances taken each day.
Learn some secrets of eating healthy and and anti aging at super foods adviser.
A Recipe For Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies That Are Great For Gluten Free Living
Posted by admin in Health and Fitness on July 20th, 2010
More and more people are being told by doctors across the country that living gluten free may be a good choice for them. Some of them are diagnosed with celiac disease; some have issues with ADD etc. In the beginning it may seem like many of your favorite foods like breads, cakes and cookies are now on the forbidden food list. We’ve come a long way since the early days of gluten free living. There are now thousands of products and many thousand gluten-free recipes out there for you to enjoy. Take this gluten free oatmeal cookie recipe for example.
Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies
* 1/2 cup margarine
* 1/2 cup light-brown sugar
* 1/4 cup regular sugar
* 1/2 tsp vanilla
* 3/4 cups gluten free flour
* 1/2 tsp baking soda
* dash of table salt
* 1/2 tsp cinnamon
* 1 large egg
* 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
* 1 1/2 cups gluten free oats
* 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Start by preheating your oven to 350F. Soften the butter on the counter so it will be easier to work with. Get out a large bowl. Add the butter and both types of sugar to it and use a hand-mixer to cream everything together. Add the vanilla and the egg next and blend again until you have a creamy light yellow colored mixture.
Sift together the flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and gum in another bowl. Give those dry ingredients a good stir, then work it into the egg mixture. Finish the batter by adding the oats and raisins and mixing everything together.
Get a large cookies sheet and drop the cookies on, using approximately one tbsp of batter for each. I like to work with two large spoons to do this, but a melon scooper or small ice cream scooper work as well.
The cookies will need to bake for about 12 minutes. Take them out when they start to turn golden brown. Cool them a bit, then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Keep them in an airtight tin if there are any leftover.
This recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies.
Of course you don’t have to bake all your cookies and other gluten-free treats from scratch. You can get all kinds of baking mixes and even finished gluten free products at local grocery stores and online at websites that specialize in gluten-free products. They are a great alternative. There are even some premade cookies that you can purchase that taste pretty decent.
In short, you do not have to give up on your favorite treats when you have to switch to eating gluten free.
And now, I would like to invite you to read about another yummy and good-for-you recipe. This one is for quinoa muffins which you can make gluten free by making them with gluten-free flour. And here are more quinoa recipes for you.
