gluten free cereal
now browsing by tag
The 5 Big Benefits of Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a small heart shaped pseudo-grain that has many benefits for our health. Not a true cereal, it actually belongs to the same family as rhubarb. But what exactly are the benefits of buckwheat?
1. Buckwheat is gluten free
There is a lot of confusion these days around some true grains that although considered gluten free, do actually contain some gluten proteins that can trigger a reaction. As a pseudo-grain, one of the best benefits of buckwheat is that it is completely gluten free. Because of this, it finds its way into many gluten free cereals such as our delicious gluten free maple nut crunch.
Buckwheat groats are also an excellent addition to your arsenal of gluten free grains.
2. Buckwheat supports hormonal balance
Buckwheat is rich in a group of plant hormones known as lignans, that have been shown to promote hormone balance in both men and women. Studies also suggest that these may also help to protect against breast cancer.
3. Buckwheat is great for your skin
It is particular good for sensitive skin. With antioxidant rutin for strengthening capillary walls, and anti inflammatory quercetin, this little seed is really good at calming the flare ups associated with sensitive skin and conditions such as rosacea or eczema.
4. Buckwheat is good for your gut
Buckwheat is a rich source of fibre; both soluble and insoluble. Not only does this help to balance blood sugar levels and lower LDL cholesterol, but helps with healthy digestion too. Soluble fibre lubricates and soothes the gut, whilst the insoluble fibre acts as a prebiotic, keeping the balance of the gut microbiota in check.
5. Buckwheat is a good source of energy
Slow release carbohydrates help maintain blood sugar levels, providing a sustainable course of steady energy. Magnesium and manganese help the body to metabolise this carbohydrate efficiently. In fact buckwheat contains over half the recommended daily allowance of magnesium, making it a truly rich source of this valuable mineral.
As if all these weren’t enough, the antioxidant content of this nutrient rich seed give it some flawless heart healthy credentials too.
We believe that whole grains are the heart of a healthy cereal but did you know that sprouted grains come with extra benefits? Sprouting turns the stored energy inside grains and seeds into raw plant energy, making them more easily digestible and increasing the bioavailability of the nutrients.
How to sprout buckwheat
For sprouting you need the raw seeds. You can tell the difference by looking at the colour; toasted buckwheat is golden brown whilst raw buckwheat is green.
Soak the raw groats for 30 mins, then drain and keep moist until they sprout. You can use a damp j cloth, or layers of kitchen roll, as long as you make sure to prevent them drying out. Once they sprout, eat them soon as they can deteriorate quite quickly.
We stock a range of premium healthy breakfast cereals, including those that are vegan, gluten-free, and even paleo.
If you would like to learn more about what makes a healthy breakfast, be sure to read our in-depth article.
This article was reproduced on this site with permission from operafoods.com.au the “Healthy Australian Cereals Manufacturer”.
See original article:- The 5 Big Benefits of Buckwheat
Rice Bran – Spotlight on Whole Grain Cereals
Rice bran, indeed rice in general, has been finding its way into all kind of breakfast cereals as the focus moves away from wheat. Following on from our article on the benefits of eating whole grains for breakfast, we have been exploring some of these whole grains in more detail. This time it is the turn of rice.
Rice in your breakfast cereal
How breakfast cereal has changed. Variations of crisped rice, made with super crisp refined white rice and a ton of added sugar, have been a childhood (and late night snack time) favourite forever. Yet, generally speaking, rice does not appear in the ingredients lists of your average granola, muesli or porridge.
As one of the few true gluten-free grains, rice is having a bit of a moment. Versatile beyond its side dish status, and with all the benefits that whole grains have to offer, it is no surprise that brown rice for breakfast has become a thing.
Where might you find rice in your healthy cereal? Rice comes in a variety of forms suited to breakfast cereals, so look out for puffed rice, rice flakes, or rice bran.
Puffed rice, especially puffed brown rice, is not as crisp and shell like as commercial rice crispy type cereals. It has a texture and taste closer to that of popcorn. Rice naturally has a different texture to corn so it is steamed to add moisture before being air popped in the usual manner. Puffed rice can be found in many gourmet granola mixes, particularly in gluten-free granola, but is also great on its own.
Our gluten free maple nut crunch granola contains puffed rice.
Rice flakes are thinner than oats, with a texture unlike most flaked grains. Usually steamed and then flattened most rice flakes are not meant to be eaten raw, requiring cooking or soaking to soften them. This makes them ideal for porridge style blends.
Our fig and apricot bircher muesli contains brown rice flakes.
Is rice gluten free?
Yes, rice is gluten-free.
What does brown rice taste like?
Brown rice has more flavour than refined white rice and a slightly chewier texture. It tastes slightly sweet and nutty.
Does rice have protein?
Both brown and white rice have similar levels of protein. Rice does contain some protein, but it is not considered a high protein grain such as quinoa. Quinoa is also a complete protein, whilst rice protein lacks certain amino acids.
Is rice healthy?
Most of the nutrients in rice are contained within the bran and the germ. These parts are removed in the production of white rice, yet remain intact in brown rice.
Brown rice has twice as much fibre than white rice, and is abundant in antioxidant plant compounds known as flavonoids. Rice bran is particularly rich in lignans. These are another beneficial plant compound that it is suggested can help to lower the risk of many diseases, particularly female concerns such as osteoporosis, menopause and breast cancer.
The vitamin and mineral content of brown rice is higher than that of white rice, and it is particular rich in manganese, as well as a good source of magnesium, selenium, and B vitamins.
Which rice is the healthiest?
As we have seen, brown rice has far more nutrients than white rice, making it a healthier choice than white rice.
Yet, even white rice, although not as nutritious as brown rice, has its virtues. Not just gluten-free, it also has the benefit of being really easy on the digestion. Particularly good for those who may not even tolerate oats, white rice flakes make the ideal porridge and are a gentle way to start your day.
Next time you are buying breakfast cereal, look out on the label to see if it includes brown rice. And don’t forget that we have a range of healthy cereals at our online wholesale grocery store.
Find out more about what makes a healthy breakfast in our in-depth article.
This article was reproduced on this site with permission from operafoods.com.au the “Healthy Cereal manufacturers and distributors”.
See original article:- Rice Bran – Spotlight on Whole Grain Cereals
Can you eat granola on keto?
We all know that cereals are carbs, right? And that carbs are the enemy of ketosis. But can you eat granola on keto?
What is the keto diet?
Keto is short for ketogenic. The keto diet is a very low-carb, high-fat diet that may help you lose weight and benefit your health.
How does the keto diet work?
As the name suggests, the aim of the keto diet is to put your body in ketosis. A metabolic state that enables the body to become more efficient at burning fat for energy, ketosis is said to reduce blood sugar and regulate insulin levels. In ketosis, your body uses fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates, yet normally the metabolism relies on glucose for energy. Limiting intake of carbs reduces the availability of glucose, causing the metabolic pathways to shift direction and burn fat for energy instead.
Keto macros
The principles behind keto are not quite as simple as just reducing carbs. Successful ketosis relies on a ratio of macronutrients that will not only be slightly different for each individual but will also alter over time and according to changing variables. Measuring the macronutrients of carbs, protein and fat ensures optimal calorie intake but also affects the equilibrium of ketosis. You can start your keto diet on a certain ratio but from there it is all about observation and fine-tuning.
The standard ratio for keto is 10% carbs, 20% protein, 70% fat. Guidelines recommend levels between: 5-10% carbs, 15-30% protein, 60-75% fat.
Although foods are generally classed in groups according to the main macronutrient, most (if not all) foods contain a proportion of each. So, when calculating, the entire macronutrient composition must be taken into account.
How many carbs per day on keto?
To get from a percentage to a usable measurement, such as grams, you need to do some calculations based on your overall daily calorie target. You also need to know that carbs provide 4 kcal energy per gram.
For instance, on 2000 kcal a day, 10% carbohydrate would be 200 kcals. Divide 200 by 4 and you get a carb goal of 50g per day. When calculating carbs, you need to use the figure for net carbs, as oppose to total carbs. The numbers for net carbs do not include fibre, as this is not absorbed by the body and therefore provides no energy. On the other hand, the numbers for total carbs include the grams of fibre.
Healthy fats for keto
A successful keto diet is as much about quality as it is quantity. A diet based around whole natural foods, with a focus on nutrient density and macronutrients is as important on keto as any other eating plan.
Whilst saturated fats are accepted as vital sources of nutrients, there are a wide range of plant-based fats that support overall health. Nuts and seeds, and their derivative oils, as well as coconut oil and olive oil are all healthy fats for a keto diet.
How much protein on keto?
It can be easy to get too much protein on a keto diet. When you eat too much protein it may inhibit ketosis as the body can convert amino acids (the building blocks of protein) into glucose. As protein releases the same amount of energy as carbohydrates, the calculation for optimal intake is the same. Again, nuts and seeds are recommended sources on the keto diet. A pretty much perfect food, they are low in carbohydrate, and high in protein as well as healthy fats.
Did you know that almonds are one of the most versatile nuts for a keto diet?
Keto breakfast
Breakfast is hard enough when you are gluten-free, but low-carb? A potential minefield.
Nutritionally speaking, the best foods for a healthy breakfast are believed to be grains, dairy and fruit, and the benefits of cereal and milk are widely accepted. Eggs are the go-to ingredient for a keto breakfast, closely followed by pork products such as bacon and sausages. But what if you want a keto breakfast with no eggs? What if you are mindful of saturated fat and excess protein? Not to mention sodium. It’s an Atkins nightmare all over again. And then there is time. Or not. Very few people can manage to cook, let alone eat, a hot meaty breakfast before heading out the door in the early morning. Sure, where there’s a will there’s a way but that’s why breakfast cereal was invented yeah? Convenient, crunchy, and easy on the digestion.
Keto cereal
Breakfast cereal is generally made from grains. Aka cereals. Aka carbs. Which of course are a big nay-nay for the fat-burning bod.
What cereal can you eat on the keto diet?
Some breakfast cereals are lower in carbs than others yet will still use up your entire weekly carb allowance in one glorious bowl. The market has got wiser as far as individual dietary preferences are concerned and the available range is far wider than it once was. You do need to check your labels carefully though. Grain-free is your best bet, but may come with whopping amounts of sugar. Better still would be a breakfast cereal labelled keto. Imagine that 😉
Can you eat granola on keto?
The short answer is pretty much no. But keto granola does exist. Based on nuts and seeds, with a handful of healthy fat thrown in, keto granola is just the thing for a cold and crunchy keto breakfast.
Try Almond Blueberry Keto Granola which is also a Gluten free Vegan granola. Check out our article ‘muesli vs granola’ for a comparison of the two.
Can you have milk on a keto diet?
But what about the milk? It is that combo of cold cold milk and crunchiness that makes granola such a lovely thing. Can you have milk on a keto diet?
Dairy milk, from cows or goats, might be chock full of nutrients including protein and fats, but they also come with a moderately high amount of carbs. One cup of cows milk has 12g net carbs. Goats milk has marginally less.
And it is not just dairy. Many alternative milks come with a ton of carbs too. Oat milk (unsurprisingly) has 17g net carbs per cup. Rice milk is even higher at 21g.
Also unsurprisingly, almond milk is THE milk of choice for keto, with just 1g of carbs per cup. Yay. If you make your own almond milk it tastes better and has no sweeteners of fillers that you didn’t put there yourself.
What about keto-friendly fruit?
A bowl of granola needs a bit of fruit, but unfortunately this is also a keto minefield. Our advice is to go for berries, some of the lowest carb fruit around. At between 6-9g carbs in half a cup of raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries, they certainly aren’t for everyday but make an excellent nutrient boost to breakfast a few times a week.
Watch out for our keto granola coming soon…
In the meantime, check out our other low sugar granola or buy healthy cereals at wholesale prices from our online bulk food store.
This Article was reproduced with permission from Opera Food’s article:- “Can you eat granola on keto?” dated 22nd June 21
Apple Supreme Paleo is Gluten Free and Organic
Apple Supreme Paleo by Plum Foods is gluten-free and organic. Plum Foods are the manufacturers of high nutrient wholesale granola. Cereal manufacturers Plum Foods also distribute nutritious breakfast cereals such as bircher muesli, granola, gluten-free, vegan as well as organic oats for making porridge. Apple supreme paleo contains no added sugar do it is a low sugar cereal and it has a fruity flavour which will revive you with a chewy fruity taste. Apple supreme paleo is ideal for healthy breakfasts. This delicious paleo muesli can be eaten with milk, almond milk, fresh fruits and yoghurt. Apple supreme paleo is a palatable paleo granola which contains no cereal grains and it is Gluten Free.
Apple supreme paleo are made with insecticide free almonds, organic shredded coconut, honey, organic dried apple, organic virgin coconut oil, almond meal, organic sunflower seeds, raisins, organic pepitas, organic dried cranberries, organic linseed, organic cinnamon, baking powder and organic vanilla powder.
Visit our site to know more details about the product. Buy apple supreme paleo and avail online discounts now.
Organic Rolled Oats A Healthy and Nutritious Breakfast Cereal
Organic rolled oats is a leading product of Australian cereal manufacturer Plum Foods that is grown organically. Organic rolled oats are rich in fiber as well as antioxidants they are among the best organic cereals.
According to the researcher, oats are considered as the healthiest breakfast cereal in Australia and is very low in gluten. Whilst Organic oats are not totally gluten free, Oats is very low in gluten and even some coeliacs can tolerate it. The researchers have suggested that people should have oaten porridge at breakfast as it increases the stamina of an individual. Organic rolled oats can be grown in cool, respective moist climate and it is suitable to grow in any type of soils that contain alkaline between 5.5 as well as 7.0. Organic rolled oats are grown pesticides free and it does not contain any respective chemical residues. Organic rolled oats are rich in fiber; therefore, it helps to lower cholesterol levels of an individual.
Plum Foods are wholesale granola manufacturers who pack and produce their own products. All our products have majority organic and/or insecticide-free ingredients which will help you in maintaining your healthy breakfast cereal diet. Buy Plum Foods organic oats here.