1. A Germ of Truth
The part of the wheat berry that germinates the wheat plant is packed with protein and other nutrients. Add wheat germ to your food if you are deficient in iron, potassium and vitamin B or calcium. Adding wheat germ to your diet is especially useful if you are training intensely for an event. The nutrients aid in recovery and greater training endurance. One study showed that athletes were able to move to a higher level of athleticism than the group who didn't eat wheat germ. The elderly, cancer survivors or survivors of terminal illness also benefit from these power packed, nutty tasting flakes. Health conscious parents can safely add wheat germ to baby food as well.
2. Sources of Goodness
Purchase wheat germ at your local health food store. Add wheat germ to your diet with both fresh and toasted versions. A variety of products are available with wheat germ already in the ingredients. Look for cereals, flour, cookies, muffins and crackers for a convenient way of adding wheat germ to your daily diet. Keep wheat germ in the refrigerator. The shelf life is about a week so buy in small quantities. If you need to keep it longer, freeze it. Wheat germ has a high oil content that causes it to go rancid quickly.
3. A Sprinkle Here, a Sprinkle There
Add wheat germ to what you eat every day. Sprinkle it on your morning cereal, oatmeal, granola or yogurt. It is also good on salads, cooked vegetables, frozen yogurt and homemade applesauce. Mix it into any dish. Meat loaf, stew, soup, macaroni and cheese and any casseroles are good choices. A smoothie with a little wheat germ is a yummy treat. Wheat germ with some honey and milk make a great, satisfying breakfast cereal in the mornings. Add some blueberries or strawberries and banana for variety.
4. A Good Baking Buddy
Replace 1/4 of the flour with wheat germ in baking recipes for breads, muffins, cookies, homemade crackers and crusts for quiches and pies. It will add wonderful variety and people will wonder what your secret ingredient is. If you make your own bread in a bread maker, roll the bread top in toasted wheat germ with a little butter or olive oil. Even desserts such as carrot cakes and muffins do well with some wheat germ mixed in.
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