How to Get Wheat Germ into Your Diet

Including wheat germ in your daily diet will be one of the best things you can do for yourself to improve your nutrition and overall health. Wheat germ provides protein and can improve digestion. Wheat germ has been shown to be a defense against heart attack and stroke. It lowers cholesterol, fights colon cancer, and can prevent constipation.

Its name wheat "germ" is misleading, especially when it is so beneficial for optimum human nutrition. Wheat germ is the main part of the wheat kernel and a small amount everyday will help you feel better because of its role in digestion and balanced nutrition, providing a source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and fiber as well as fighting off chronic disease.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Include just a small amount to recipes and foods you normally eat. Wheat germ is a low fat food and is a good source of folic acid.
   Two Tablespoons of wheat germ, spread out across your meals, provides 2 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein,9 grams of carbohydrate, and 60 calories (only 15 from fat). It has zero cholesterol and zero sodium.

2. Sprinkle a small amount of wheat germ on your cold or hot cereal. Mix it in gently. Add some fruit while you are at it. You will love the result.

3. Add a small amount to ice cream, a milkshake, smoothie, yogurt, or protein shake. Blend it in.

4. Spoon a small amount in to batter for cakes, muffins, cookies, etc. Continue to blend the batter to absorb the wheat germ. The quantity of wheat germ should be just enough to put a light coating across the top of the batter.

5. Add in a tiny amount to your serving of peanut butter, honey, or other spread.

6. Use wheat germ as a crunchy topping for sliced or chopped fresh fruit.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a small amount over the course of the day to a variety of foods and recipes. The quantity will add up to where it can contribute to your daily nutrition.
• Try toasted wheat germ as well as raw wheat germ. Decide which you prefer.
• Wheat germ contains gluten. Do not use wheat germ if wheat or gluten allergies are a concern.

[MaryKBrennan]

on 8/21/2009 What great advice. I knew there were benefits, but didn't realize how good they were.

[jarethamarie]

on 8/21/2009 I love wheat germ! I sprinkle it on my salads for extra crunch. Mmmmm... I recommended you - a great article!

[ceholmes]

on 7/24/2009 Yes! I put wheat germ in my yogurt and smoothie all the time. It actually makes it taste better too! thanks for sharing more ideas! great topic! 5* and recom