It has a dry floury consistency and looks like a thick, colored rice when you spoon it from a jar.
Wheat germ has 23 nutrients per ounce, which is more than any other vegetable or grain. It's got a better delivery of potassium and iron, too; as well as hefty quantities of riboflavin, calcium, zinc, magnesium and Vitamins A, E, B1 and B3.
Something you may not know is that wheat germ has 28 percent more protein than meat. That's significant.
What it means is that to benefit from protein, you don't have to wait to throw a thick steak on the grill.
So how do you eat this tumbling rice-looking food? Some people add a spoonful or two to breakfast food such as in yogurt; some use wheat germ in place of bread crumbs when cooking or coating chicken for a "breaded" recipe; it can add a nice crunch to some recipes. Use wheat germ as a binder in meatloaf.
Wheat germ adds a nice texture to food, as well as nutrition. Here are a couple of ideas:
1. Combine 2 tablespoons of wheat germ with 7/8 cup of all-purpose flour. Mix and use the flour as you would in the recipe.
2. Add a tablespoon of wheat germ to hot breakfast cereal before cooking, or use it raw as a topping on already prepared hot oatmeal.
3. You can magnify the fiber content of home-made bread, biscuits and even those refrigerator rolls you crack against the counter. Just brush the top with warm butter or olive oil and sprinkle a bit of wheat germ on top before sliding the baking sheet or dish into the oven.
Probably the most popular and a fast way to get benefits from a daily dose of wheat germ is adding it to a smoothie. It's gives the blended drink a hint of nutty flavor.
Double Berry Banana Smoothie Recipe
Serves: 2 (8 oz. glasses)
1 container (8 ounces) raspberry low-fat yogurt
1 medium ripe banana, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries or strawberries
1 cup milk
1/4 cup KRETSCHMER wheat germ
Place all ingredients in blender and blend on high speed about 1 minute or until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses and, if desired, sprinkle with additional wheat germ.
It tastes as if you're at the fair sipping a milk shake. For a thicker "shake," use a frozen banana. Place peeled and sliced banana in container, cover tightly, and store in freezer until ready to use.
I use Lactose-free milk. You can also keep NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Instant Nonfat Dry Milk on the shelf in the pantry. Substitute the recipe's milk with 1/3 cup dry milk and 1/2 cup ice cubes.
Wheat germ is also low in gluten, another reason it's a superfood.
Wheat germ has 100 calories per ounce (28 grams), which is why those on a weight loss program may want to limit the amount they consume. However, the nutritional benefit makes it a serious consideration even when dieting.
It also helps people feel full for a longer period of time. It does for me. It also slows the hungry urge to eat more -- or grab a calorie-loaded snack to satisfy that gotta-put-something-in-my-mouth feeling.
Storage. The unseen oils in wheat germ mean that its shelf life is not very long. Once you open a jar, you want to use the wheat germ before it loses it's nutritional value. Store your jars of wheat germ in the refrigerator.
* Source: Kretschmer, Nestle USA, Wisegeek, Livestrong
Kretschmer Wheat Germ was introduced in 1936 by Charles Kretschmer of Carrollton, Michigan, who developed and sold the first toasted wheat germ. Kretschmer Wheat Germ is now made with pride in Manhattan, Kansas. An original super food, Kretschmer Wheat Germ has been a fixture of the American diet for decades.
Kretschmer products are part of the Continental Mills family, a company dedicated to healthy eating, located in Tukwila, Washington.
Nestlé is the world's leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness company. The mission of "Good Food, Good Life" is to provide consumers with the best tasting, most nutritious choices in a wide range of food and beverage categories and eating occasions, from morning to night.
Whether you add wheat germ to your morning smoothie, use it as a breading or sprinkle it on cereal or fruit or yogurt, you gain tremendous benefits from a spoonful of wheat germ every day. Wheat germ is good and healthy food.