Buckwheat for your Health

Buckwheat is becoming very popular for many good reasons. It is a highly nourishing, energizing and tasty food that is gaining more and more momentum and becoming known as an ingredient that we should be including in our diet.

Contrary to its name, this fruit seed is not in any way related to wheat. Buckwheat is a power food and although it resembles a cereal grain, it is actually a fruit seed that is related to rhubarb! It has a hard outer shell that protects the buckwheat kernel. The shell is removed by machinery to make the grain, often called groats. You can either eat it raw, cook it as porridge or use as a rice substitute or you use buckwheat flour in baking.

What are the health benefits?

Buckwheat totally surpasses rice, wheat and corn on almost every health measure. Being a low glycemic grain, it doesn’t spike your blood sugar levels therefore keeps you fuller for longer, making it a perfect breakfast choice. Other health benefits include:

Digestive health
Buckwheat is high in insoluble fibre that assists with digestive health.

Healthy skin and hair
Buckwheat is packed with B complex vitamins including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6) and folate (B9). These vitamins work to promote healthy skin and strong hair.

Source of protein
Buckwheat has more protein than rice, corn or wheat and is high in the essential amino acids arginine and lysine in which most cereals are deficient.

Chemical free
Buckwheat grows so quickly that it does not usually require a lot of pesticides or other chemicals to grow well – we love this!

Buckwheat contains no gluten and is not a grain
It is therefore great for celiacs and those on grain free and gluten sensitive diets.

How do you cook it?
To cook buckwheat groats, rinse under cold water then add to a pot. With a ratio of 1 part buckwheat, 2 parts water, cover and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes (keep an eye on them as if over cooked, they will go mushy). Combine with your favourite salad ingredients.

Or try out my raw Chocolate Nut & Seed Bar which is totally divine! Click here for the recipe.