by Webmaster
Wheat Berries Nutrition
May 22, 2010 in Wheat Berries by Webmaster
Because there is such strong evidence of the health benefits of consuming whole wheat, consumers are purchasing whole-wheat berries.
It is not absolutely crystal clear what nutrient, or part of the wheat berry is contributing the health benefits, or even if it is a combination of the nutrients.
This is why people are purchasing and preparing wheat berries. They don’t want to remove any of the portions of the berry. They know that some food processors remove both the bran and the germ; then add back various types of fiber trying to attract the consumers that are making decisions based upon grams of fiber.
Purchasing and using wheat berries is one way to insure that you are consuming the whole grain and thereby consuming all the nutrients that are naturally included in the grain.
colleen pyle said on July 20, 2010
Is this nutritional info for cooked or uncooked?
Stephanie said on August 10, 2010
Is this the nutritional information for 1/8 cup of dry wheat berries or cooked?
Joyce Bunderson said on August 13, 2010
Dear Stephanie,
The nutrient information for the 1/8 cup is for dry wheat berries before they are cooked or wet. When they are cooked they almost double. So if you have them already cooked, measure about a 1/4 cup to get that many nutrients.
Best wishes,
Joyce
dhg said on October 8, 2010
during the cold Winter months, I eat short-grain brown rice almost every day. I add a handful of hard, red wheatberries to my 1/4 cup of dry rice and let them cook together. the wheatberries add a nutty taste and crunchy texture to my rice.. delicious. in the mornings, I add a bit of honey and milk. for lunch/dinner, I don’t. highly recommended!
Joyce Bunderson said on October 11, 2010
Dear Daphne,
That sounds so delicious and I know it’s also a treat for my health – I can’t wait to make it. I love the throwing in the wheat berries for a tasty, nutty texture. I’m going to do it.
My best,
Joyce
leslie said on January 26, 2011
You can also go to http://www.eatvegantonight.com and see the awesome wheatberry salad recipe there. Very good. Soak those wheatberries!
Joyce Bunderson said on January 29, 2011
Leslie,
Is the purpose of soaking the wheatberries to shorten the cooking time or to sprout them? The only time I’ve soaked wheatberries is if I’m planning to sprout them. In choosing wheat berries, you’re making a great addition to a healthy diet.
Remember Good Health Can Be Yummy! Have a great day.
Joyce
Linda said on February 1, 2011
I like to cook the berries in a crockpot overnite and for breakfast put maybe a 1/4 C in my yogurt with fruit on top makes a good breakfast and filling too.
Joyce Bunderson said on February 2, 2011
Dear Linda,
You’re such a great example of making a really healthy breakfast in an easy way. Once you’ve made a crockpot of wheat berries you’ve got them ready for any number of recipes. Whole grains at their best.
Have a great day – Good Health Can Be Yummy, and you know it.
Joyce
John said on May 25, 2011
I make a 3 grain breakfast cereal. Equal protions ( 2/3 c.) of oat groats, wheat berries, and pearl barley. In a large bowl, rinse thoroughly, and mix in 1 tbs. of cinnamon. Cook with vented cover in a heavy pot for about 45 min. or till grains swell to capacity. Add water as need and stir regularly. When cooked, add 1/2 c. brown sugar and mix thoroughly.
Prepare 1/2 c. of each: raisins, dried cranberries, chopped pecans or walnuts, and diced dried apricots. Add these to the pot and stir in thoroughly. Transfer to a large airtight bowl. Let cool completely then refrigerate.
For breakfast or anytime, spoon a portion into a bowl, microwave till hot, sprinkle with brown sugar and briefly heat again. Pour on milk and enjoy. A nice addition is raspberries, blue berries or cut up strawberries. TRY IT…….YOU’LL LIKE IT !!
Joyce Bunderson said on June 2, 2011
Yum, yum, yum. For those who don’t want to add sugar (brown or otherwise) they may want to consider the all-natural, zero-calorie Dr. Grandma’s Delight. If you want the flavor of brown sugar add a half-teaspoon of molasses. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe. I know I will like it. Good Health Can Be Yummy.
Joyce
jpatti said on July 5, 2011
The purpose of soaking wheat berries, or any grain (legumes also) is to reduce the phytic acid.
Sprouting accomplishes the same, and is apparently much more effective for legumes.
Joyce Bunderson said on July 6, 2011
Good point! In addition, cooking helps decrease the inositol or phytate/phytic acid. The greater problem with the beans/legumes is that they contain lots of indigestible carbohydrate. Sprouting is like doing soaking and then keep going – so it will accomplish the same reduction of phytate and indigestible carbohydrates.
My sister got the idea a few years ago to not cook rolled wheat – tummy ache. We’re not ruminants, so we don’t do well with uncooked wheat or beans.
Thanks for your note – Good Health Can Be Yummy!
Sending my best,
Joyce
Joyce said on August 10, 2011
An Indian friend of mine taught me that you sauté onions, carrots, jalapeños , and anything else you want in olive oil, and then mix in cooked wheat berries.. It makes WONDERFUL lunch!!
Joyce Bunderson said on August 11, 2011
Dear Joyce,
I knew that sauteing flavorful herbs and vegetables in the olive oil flavors the oil and spreads the flavor. It’s so helpful to mention techniques like this, however, because many Americans are really just learning to cook for the first time and knowing to put the flavorful foods in first with the oil helps make real food yummy without a load of salt. Please continue to share your recipes and cooking ideas, it is so helpful. This time I knew your hint, but next time I may not; I’m always trying to learn. Your meal with the wheat berries and veggies would probably be a great dinner too – especially in the summer.
Thanks so much for your hint – sending my best,
Good Health Can Be Yummy
Joyce Bunderson
Bernie said on September 13, 2011
I have been steaming all sorts of vegetables,asparagus, beans, broccoli, fresh corn, orka, squash,etc then add the wheat berries..delicious. Also I do the steamed vegetables/berries then add a can of diced Italian tomatoes and some ltalian seasonings. Yum. Sever with steam fish, chicken etc…
Joyce Bunderson said on September 13, 2011
I know it’s probably a little silly to keep using our Dr. Grandma’s by line, but it really is true and you know it and are living it. Good Health Can Be Yummy!
Keep up the great work and let other know what you’re doing.
Best to you,
Joyce
vicki said on January 14, 2012
very confused. What is the difference in the color? I just heard about these little gems, and would like to try them. Do they have them in supermarkets? And where would they be located?
Joyce Bunderson said on January 15, 2012
Hard red spring wheat is a chestnut brown. People have been buying them from Dr. Grandma’s for years. You can order them online from Dr. Grandma’s if they are not at your local market. Just click the tab ‘store,’ you will see wheat berries in various package sizes.
Note: I personally would not choose white wheat or a soft wheat. If you do find something at the market, choose a hard wheat.
Best to you – Good Health Can Be Yummy
Joyce
Don snyder said on December 26, 2012
I recently had a conversation with a girl who is a nurse and said to me that white bread is as nutritious as ground wheat berry flour used to make bread. Someone please respond. Please show some web sites with comparisons of the two. I have ground my own wheat berries for years. Thank you!
Joyce Bunderson said on January 2, 2013
Dear Don,
Keep grinding – the comparison is so disparate I wouldn’t know where to start. I’ve written many pages on this subject refer to any of my articles. Don’t stop grinding. The following is a link to a selection of articles on the subject:
http://www.doctorgrandmas.com/site-search/?query=whole+wheat+not+only+fiber
Also, nurses are not trained in nutrition. Some of the young nurses have a course in nutrition and some a portion of a course. I would not suggest that you turn to nursing for your nutrition information.
Don, Good Health Can Be Yummy – Keep Grindin’ You’re Doin’ Great!!!
Joyce