Freekeh: The healthy food that you're not eating - yet

Throw out your quinoa 

Mollie Goodfellow
Friday 22 January 2016 05:27 EST
Comments
You can use freekeh in healthy salads, wraps and soups - as well as many other dishes
You can use freekeh in healthy salads, wraps and soups - as well as many other dishes (Flickr/Meal Makeover Moms )

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The trend for superfoods hasn't stopped growing and health buffs are usually looking out for the next big thing.

Quinoa and bulgar wheat are both established superfoods, being used as healthier alternative to pasta and white rice and for bulking out salads.

Now there's a new superfood on everyone's lips. Behold freekeh, a not new but now trending grain that is set to blow quinoa out of the water.

Pronounced free-kah, this grain is harvested while it’s young and then roasted over a fire. The chaff is burned away and what’s left is the moist grain.

Freekeh is low in fat, but high in protein and fibre – meaning it’s a great food for those who do a lot of exercise or are keeping an eye on their diet.

The high fibre content – it has double the amount of fibre as quinoa – means you’ll end up feeling fuller for longer and will be less prone to snacking.

Kathy Siegel, a New York based dietitian and nutritionist says freekah, which has been used in the Middle East for centuries, is a great choice for athletes and vegetarians.

"Freekeh, an ancient roasted grain is packed with three times the fibre and two times the protein of brown rice.

"Freekeh is higher in fibre with a lower glycemic index and is much higher in iron. Freekah is an excellent source of iron providing 20 per cent of ones daily needs; a great option for vegetarians, vegans and athletes."

Simply swapping in freekeh whenever you’d use pasta, quinoa, bulgar wheat or rice is a great way to give the grain a go.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in