It’s well-known that a balanced diet is crucial to a healthy body. The food you eat on a regular basis can impact every area of your health; that especially includes your gut health and weight management. Gut health plays a direct role in digestion, nutrition absorption, and even metabolism, so when you make your gut microbiome a priority, you’re also doing wonders for your weight loss efforts. Fiber-rich foods, especially, are one important group to keep on your radar as you work to improve your gut health and shed pounds. There’s one grain in particular you may not have considered yet: freekeh.
Freekeh is a Mediterranean grain made from unripened wheat. While it may not be widely popular, especially when compared to options like rice and quinoa, it’s definitely a fantastic option to add to your meals. To learn more about the benefits of this food for weight loss and gut health, we spoke to nutritionist Dr. Krutika Nanavati. Find all of her expert insight below.
Freekeh for Gut Health and Weight Loss
There are so many benefits to freekeh, thanks to its rich nutrient profile. This grain is packed with dietary fiber, protein, and prebiotic fiber, all of which make it a good choice for weight management and digestion. "Due to its richness in dietary fiber and protein, it comes in handy for anyone who intends to lose some weight because protein helps you feel full for longer," Dr. Nanavati tells us. "Because it’s harvested when young, freekeh has a low glycemic index, so it digests more slowly, helping to keep blood sugar stable," she explains. When your digestion is slowed and your energy and blood sugar levels are stable, you'll also experience less cravings for unhealthy processed snacks and, overall, keep hunger to a minimum. All of this is great news for your weight loss journey!
But the benefits don't stop with a slimmer waistline. Freekeh's fiber content is also fantastic for your gut. Since it provides prebiotic fiber, this food feeds the good bacteria in your gut, leading to a more balanced microbiome. Ultimately, this can lead to better digestion, a stronger immune system, and even a lifted mood, Nanavati explains. Freekeh also includes resistant starch, a type of fiber that passes through the digestive system largely intact, which helps nourish healthy gut bacteria and improve long-term digestive health. Amazing!
Incorporating Freekeh into Meals
There are so many ways to add freekeh to your meals and reap these great benefits. "Its nutty, slightly smoky taste adds depth to salads and pairs beautifully with a variety of vegetables, herbs, and lean proteins," Nanavati says. "I find freekeh to be a versatile option that elevates both the flavor and nutritional value of a meal." Yum!
"Substituting freekeh for rice or pasta within salads seems to be an ideal strategy when it comes to better and improved obesity, gut health, and nutritional intake."
Plus, it's not just great flavor and texture you're getting when you add freekeh to your salads. "One of the things I love about freekeh is that it offers so much more than fiber. It boasts protein and micro-nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, and iron that help in aspects of the body, from energy to immune system," she goes on. Sign us up!
