Growing up, my mom always had a jar of
Kretschmer Wheat Germ in the fridge. She would add a tablespoon to our smoothies or over our yogurt. Okay, she'd sprinkle it any place she could get away with it. But my favorite was always a slice of toast, slathered with peanut butter, and then topped off with a heavy smattering of wheat germ. And to this day, it's still one of my favorite ways to start the day...alongside a tall, cold glass of milk. And coffee, of course.
Now, I knew that she wheat germ because it was healthy. But I wasn't sure what was healthy about it. Turns out, all sorts of things.
To start, the germ is the part of the wheat kernel that sprouts and grows into a new plant. It is also the part kernel that is most vitamin and nutrient-rich (and the part that's left out when the wheat is processed into white flour), and a fiber-rich source of high quality protein that contains only heart-healthy polyunsaturated fat. And for every 2-tablespoon serving, wheat germ contains a powerhouse of vital nutrients like Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Thiamin, Phosphorus, and Zinc.*
Thanks, mom.
