Why use wheat germ? - AmericaNowNews.com

Why use wheat germ?

What exactly is wheat germ?

Wheat germ is the "heart" of the wheat kernel, the seed of the wheat plant. But when wheat is processed and made into flour, the wheat germ is removed because it contains oil that can make the wheat go rancid. Don't confuse wheat germ with wheat "bran," which is the tough outer coating of the wheat seed.

One ounce of wheat germ has only 100 calories and it contains six grams of protein, four grams of fiber and 10 percent of your daily iron requirement. It's also low in sodium and high in essential fatty acids.

So what can it replace in your daily diet?

"If you eat one ounce of wheat germ daily, then you don't need to take a fiber supplement or Vitamin E supplement," says Wellness Expert Peggy HAll. "Wheat germ is a rich source of both."

Peggy explains that the fiber helps to naturally reduce cholesterol. Vitamin E is a potent anti-oxidant, which is considered anti-aging. Is it also high in B vitamins for energy and metabolism, and one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids for skin, hair, brain, moods and heart health. Wheat germ is a good source of protein for muscles and skin, and a rich source of folic acid, which is essential for heart health.

Peggy recommends that you add your daily wheat germ to smoothies, sprinkle it on salads, stir it into yogurt, add it to your cereal, or you can even bake with it and add it to casseroles to extend the portion sizes. Use it as a coating for fish or chicken; sprinkle it on ice cream for a nutritional boost.

And the best part? Wheat germ is also easy on the pocketbook, because it only costs about $1.00 a pound.

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