Teens: To Brighten Up a Meal, Add a Colorful Grain

Adding a colorful grain to a meal is a fun way to feed your body the nutrients it needs. Think essential vitamins and minerals, hunger-curbing fiber and protective phytonutrients.

For inspiration, check out the bulk food section in your local grocery or health food store. Here, you’re sure to find plenty of colorful grains like Himalayan red rice, Chinese black rice or purple Thai rice, just to name a few. With savory, nutty, fruity and flowery flavors, you might say these colorful grains are a “gRAINBOW” of deliciousness that can take the flavor of just about any dish to a new level.

Stretch your gRAINBOW

Colorful grains are a nutrient-rich way to add a little pizzazz to your plate. Here’s how to get started:

1. Get creative in the kitchen. 

Check out the bulk food bins at your local grocery or health food store. Choose a few grains you haven’t tried. Cook them up, and add nuts, dried fruit, seeds, spices and herbs to make your own delicious concoctions.

2. Be adventurous. 

Challenge yourself this week and try one or two new colorful grains. Who knows, you may find one that you really, really like.

3. Move beyond popcorn. 

No doubt, you’ve snacked on popcorn while doing homework. Why not mix it up with popped sorghum or popped millet? 

Colorful grains are good tasting and good for you. So why not start by eating a new colorful grain this week? Your future self will thank you.

You’ve Got This!

Lorna & Kathleen (The EatingFor Team)