Here it is
the 10th of March. I am finally getting around to updating my weight
information in the right sidebar and general comments in the form of a blog
post. As you can see from my weight history, since returning from a cruise in
January that resulted in a bump up in weight I have for the most part been able
to push my weight in the right direction. The drop in weight has just been excruciatingly
slow.
I suppose you are wondering about the funny title of this
post. Well, Eragrostis tef is a whole
grain that is also known by the name Teff. I was reading about this whole grain
recently because it is naturally gluten free which is a good fit for our
primarily gluten free home.
Teff is an annual grass native to the Ethiopian Highlands of the Horn
of Africa. The whole grain has an attractive nutrition profile, being
high in fiber and Iron while also providing protein and Calcium. It is said to
be similar to Millet and Quinoa in cooking; however, the similarity to quinoa,
which I have cooked, was lost on me. The whole grain Teff seed is very small.
(think poppy seed)
I also read that Teff is high in resistant starch, a
newly-discovered type of dietary fiber that can benefit blood sugar management,
weight control, and colon health. It’s estimated that 20-40% of the
carbohydrates in teff are resistant starches.
So, after
finding out that Teff is available as a whole grain or flour in either a brown
or ivory color I came across information about its use. Turns out that Teff
flour is used by Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners to make injera, a traditional
flat bread which is said to be a staple of their diet. Hummmm……
Teff is now
being produced in the USA, primarily in Idaho, and I was able to locate a
package of brown whole grain Teff at my local health food store. I’ve been experimenting
with mixing it in my oatmeal for the past month or so. The ratio I seem to like
the best is 3 parts Teff to 1 part oatmeal. I also throw in some chopped
walnuts and diced dried apricots.
So, while
Teff is an interesting little grain, I have to report that I am still running
more like an elderly Hoosier than a Kenyan or Ethiopian.
Hopefully, I
will be able to share some more interesting information at the start of next
month.
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