Recommended Power Foods - Part 7 - Grains (Continued)

Recommended Power Foods - Part 7 - Grains #5 and #6
(Information from The Power of Food - Bonnie Raffel R. D., Author)

#5 - Oats and Oat Flour - Oat, oatmeal, and oat bran contain a type of fiber called betaglucan, which aids in lowering cholesterol and fights infection.  Oats contain antioxidants which are heart healthy.  Oats are provide more protein than wheat and are rich in vitamins B and E, and are loaded with soluble and insoluble fiber.  Enhance your diet with hot oatmeal at breakfast, sprinkle oat bran on cold cereals, or mix in dry oatmeal when making meatloaf.  Try using oat flour when making pancakes, waffles, quick breads, and oatmeal cookies. 

#6 - Wheat Flour - There are many types of wheat flour that provide a healthier texture because they include the bran and germ.  Whole wheat, stone ground and graham flour can be used interchangeably.  The only difference may be in coarseness and protein value.  Wheat flour provides complex carbohydrates, which is the source of insoluble fiber that benefits the digestive system.  Try incorporating wheat flour in your diet by adding 1/2 of white flour to wheat flour when baking breads or quick breads.