Dorothy FarrarWheat
Wheat is a collective term for plant species that belong to the sweet grass family (botanical name Poaceae) . Soft wheat and durum wheat are primarily cultivated as cereals. The term ‘wheat’ derives from the white flour of the grain.
Worth knowing about wheat
Well-known representatives from the group of wheat species are, for example, unripe spelt and spelt . All types can be kept for a very long time in dried form and thus played an important role in human nutrition in the past. As a rule, the types of wheat reach heights of growth of between half a meter and one meter.
The stems are rounded in shape. The plant appears in most cases in dark green color, while the spike makes a squat impression. Wheat can be distinguished from barley in that it has ciliated, short leaf ears. In barley, these little ears do not encircle the stalk.
The fruits are one-seeded independant fruits, so-called caryopsis. Their thousand grain weight is an average of 40 to 65 grams.
In terms of location, soil, climate and water, wheat is significantly more demanding than many other types of grain. Basically, wheat is particularly well adapted to warm, dry summers. However, there are hybrids between wheat and rye that can also be grown successfully in cooler areas.
importance to health
The different types of wheat have an average of 10 percent vegetable protein and around 70 percent starch. This makes them extremely nutritious foods, which is why they were one of the most important foods for survival in ancient times.
Nowadays, the high proportions of various vitamins from the B group and dietary fiber contained in whole grains are far more important. These are important for digestion and can support the function of the intestine . They also contain important minerals.
Increasingly, more robust varieties of wheat are being cultivated, for which chemical pesticides can largely be dispensed with. For this reason, the risk of pesticide residues in wheat is reduced, which is very positive from a health point of view and makes wheat a valuable part of a balanced diet.
Ingredients & nutritional values
A 100 gram amount of wheat has an average of about 313 kilocalories and only 2 to 3 grams of fat. The proportion of saturated fatty acids is lower than the content of unsaturated fatty acids. Wheat does not contain cholesterol , but it does contain 70 grams of carbohydrates and 12 grams of high-quality vegetable protein.
The proportion of potassium is particularly high, as is sodium. Wheat also has small amounts of iron and calcium. Magnesium is contained in the cereal grain, as is vitamin B6.
| Calories and nutrients (per 100g) | ||
| kilocalories/kilojoules | 313 kcal/ 1310 kj | |
| protein | 11,73 g | |
| carbohydrates | 60,97 g | |
| Fett | 2,00 g | |
| Water | 13,03 g | |
| fiber | 10,30 g | |
| Vitamin B6 | 440 µg | |
| Vitamin E | 1353 µg | |
intolerances
Allergic reactions and intolerances can result from the consumption of wheat products. On the one hand, a wheat allergy can occur, which the affected people are usually aware of. Even small amounts of wheat can be enough to trigger symptoms.
Wheat-like varieties such as einkorn and spelled can also cause an allergic reaction. As a rule, the wheat allergy develops in infants, but subsides over time.
Celiac disease or gluten intolerance can also result from the consumption of foods containing wheat. This can lead to symptoms such as stomach or headaches , which can be very uncomfortable for the person concerned.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Wheat and its related species are part of a variety of foods that are consumed daily, or at least regularly. Whether bread , noodles or pasta, they all usually contain types of wheat. A look at the list of ingredients in processed foods provides information about the wheat flour content.
The wheat can also be purchased pure in the form of flour and is ideal for baking and cooking. When storing the wheat flour, it should be noted that the flour must be stored in a dry place. Otherwise harmful mold spores can settle. Wheat flour can be kept for several months in an airtight container.
preparation tips
Wheat or wheat flour can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. The fine, white flour is particularly ideal for baking, as it has a neutral taste and brings out the aroma of the other ingredients to their full advantage. A roux can also be made from wheat flour to thicken sauces.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.