Grains or Grain Product
Trader Joe’s sells whole wheat couscous – a one pound box for only $1.99. Couscous is a tiny pasta that doesn’t need to be cooked. Simply add boiling water to it, stir, cover and let it sit for 5 minutes before fluffing! Then, stir in finely chopped greens, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers, etc… Delicious hot or cold, even as a topping for my Crazy Salad Foodie Bar in The Foodie Bar Way...
Trader Joe’s sells organic white quinoa, multicolored and red...
Trader Joe’s sells several varieties of oatmeal… You can set up your very own Oatmeal Foodie Bar!
Trader Joe’s sells several different types of rice that is cooked and then frozen. (You can do the same thing at home.)
You can find several different varieties of uncooked brown rice at Trader Joe’s, as well as a package of ready-to-eat long grain brown rice.
There are several plant-based sausages available in the refrigerated area in the produce aisle at many grocery stores. While I don’t typically eat them (since they include oil), they are a “sometimes food” for my husband and kids, with one link flavoring dinner for all three of them (some of their favorite Pasta Foodie Bar combinations). Be sure to avoid varieties that include “isolated protein” as an ingredient. They freeze very well and Trader Joe’s tends to have the best...
For a variation on oatmeal, try barley flakes! I most often find them in the bulk section of the supermarket or natural food co-op.
While bagels are typically nothing more than “empty calories” – it is possible to track down whole grain (and even sprouted grain) bagels. Like most bread products (especially those without preservatives), they will tend to mold quickly at room temperature, so I cut them in half, wrap them and plastic wrap (to reduce freezer burn), then pop them back into the bag and into the freezer they...
Panko style bread crumbs create a crunchy texture when used as a coating for roasted veggies or tofu. Look closely at the ingredients, some have hydrogenated fat/oil, an ingredient you most certainly want to avoid (links to health problems from infertility to heart disease). Whole grain products last longer when kept in the freezer (now you know why my upright freezer in the garage was such a smart investment that has paid for itself over and...
My family LOVES this bread! When we first started purchasing it, I was thrilled, as it was 100% organic, 100% whole grain, 100% free of any animal products, and they used fruit as a sweetener. It is now available at Costco (production shot through the roof) and it looks like they have changed their recipe a bit, to include organic evaporated cane juice. This is a fantastic bread to start with, especially if you are not used to eating whole grain breads! Store it in the freezer and take out a piece or two a few minutes before you are ready to make a sandwich or toast...
Whole grain English Muffins can be hard to find in the regular grocery store, but Trader Joe’s sells some. When I buy them, I cut them in half, wrap in plastic, put them back into the bag and then keep them in the freezer.
My favorite whole grain pitas are Trader Joe’s brand. Short list of ingredients and they are tasty! I wrap up each one in plastic and then keep them in the freezer so they don’t mold and are ready when we are. They thaw quickly on the counter.
There are a whole bunch of options for whole grain sprouted breads. Sprouted grains are typically higher in nutrients and tend to be digested more easily. Keep them all in the...
My very favorite Lavash bread is Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Lavash, it is $1.99 for bag of 6 large pieces (makes 12 Thin-Crust Kale Pizzas!) and I love to use it to make my Cinnamon Chips for our Dessert Nachos!!! I buy several bags when I go to Trader Joe’s. When I get home, I cut the pieces in half across the middle and wrap in plastic, 4 pieces per pack, then back into the zip top bag and into the freezer. They are much easier to store in the freezer this way (when left whole, they can get wedged between other items and crack across the middle or along the...
If you supermarket has a bulk section, look for different varieties of brown rice, including Basmati and long grain. I like storing my brown rice in… the freezer, of course! You can also buy brown rice in bags (supermarket, Trader Joe’s, etc.).
Short grain brown rice will yield a more sticky/chewy product – which is similar to the “white sticky rice” many of my students grew up eating. I use short grain brown rice when setting up my Un-Fried Rice Foodie Bar and for homemade sushi (black sticky rice is fun, too!). I keep all of my whole grains (including rice) in the...
For those of you new to cooking brown rice, there are many options for cooking brown rice – including buying a “boil-in-bag” variety. This is partially pre-cooked so it will be done in ~10 minutes. You put the entire bag into a pot of boiling water (do not open the bag until it is cooked and you are ready to serve it. It is more expensive than buying uncooked rice in bulk or bagged, but it could be an option if you are just starting out on a whole grain...
If you buy buns, be sure not to be fooled by “multi-grain” or “wheat” – as they need to be whole grain (or sprouted) to maximize the nutrient content! Cut each bun in half, wrap in plastic, put them back into the bag and keep them in the...
Whole grain organic cornmeal can be found with the specialty flours/baking products in the supermarket or online (typically the best price). I store all cornmeal (and the rest of my whole grains) in the freezer, since higher temperatures can begin to break down the vulnerable unsaturated fats over time (end up rancid or with little...
Mary’s Gone Crackers are my favorite whole grain crackers, as they are made without oil (very rare) and are suitable for those avoiding gluten. They are amazingly crunchy, which I enjoy and although they can be pricey at the grocery store, they are much more reasonably priced at Costco (esp. when they offer at coupon ~$2.50 off, several times a year). Keep in a cool cabinet (or even the freezer, if space...
Despite it’s name, buckwheat flour is not made from wheat (and is actually gluten free). I like to use it in my Banana Pecan Snack Cake, among other recipes. I keep it in the freezer (with the rest of my whole grains, nuts and seeds). While I have seen it at my local grocery store, with the specialty flours, and sometimes in bulk, I normally buy it...
I don’t use much flour, and like to make my own oat flour whenever possible. On occasion, I will use whole wheat pastry flour. It has a very light texture and can be substituted for white flour in any recipe, likely without anyone noticing. I keep it in the freezer with the rest of my whole grains, flours, nuts and...
Several whole grain tortillas are available. Here are a few of my favorites – the sprouted tortillas will be in the freezer section of the supermarket. I usually wrap 3-4 in plastic and then put them back into the zip-top bag and store them in the...
Several companies make organic corn tortillas that are available in many supermarkets (even look for store brands). Be sure to look for those with very few ingredients. Sprouted corn tortillas are a great choice, but more expensive, and will almost always be kept in the freezer section because they are made without any preservatives and don’t last long on the grocery store shelves. All tortillas can be kept in the freezer. We love making Mia’s 1-2-3 Easy Tortilla Chips from The Foodie Bar Way....
There are several plant-based sausages available in the refrigerated area in the produce aisle at many grocery stores. While I don’t typically eat them (since they include oil), they are a “sometimes food” for my husband and kids, with one link flavoring dinner for all three of them (some of their favorite Pasta Foodie Bar combinations). Be sure to avoid varieties that include “isolated protein” as an ingredient. They freeze very well and Trader Joe’s tends to have the best price....
Whole grain rice comes in many varieties – including brown, red, black, purple and wild (I keep them all in my freezer).
My Pasta Foodie Bar includes many different noodle options – some of which are pictured below: Whole Grain (durum wheat), Edamame & Mung Bean, Edamame, Quinoa & Corn. Also look for noodles made from black beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and lentil. The ingredient list may surprise you… (some only have 1...
Quinoa can be purchased at most grocery stores, in boxes, bags, and in the bulk bins. Costco also sells 4-5 pound bags of uncooked quinoa. I keep the quinoa in the freezer. (Trader Joe’s also sells quinoa.)
Oats can be purchased in tubs, boxes, bags and in bulk. Don’t buy instant flavored oatmeal – check out the ingredient list…...
This is a delicious mix of sprouted quinoa and rice that I found at Costco. I keep in the freezer.
