1- Ecological and innovative
In an era where reducing kitchen waste and circular use of food resources are in full swing, using alternative flours, such as spent grain flour, can be an excellent option. But what is spent grain? It is the residue from brewing our favorite beers. Instead of getting rid of it, which generates costs for breweries and increases their ecological footprint, some decide to recover it in order to give it a new life and make flour! Fortunately for us, with this second transformation of cereals, we can say bye bye to food waste and hello to the new flavors of roasted nuts in our dishes!
2- Full of nutrients
Just because spent grain is considered “waste” doesn’t mean it has no nutritional value! When compared to popular flours, spent grain flour is to be envied. It contains the equivalent of three times the fiber found in whole wheat and oat flours. Its protein content is also interesting, with 5 grams of protein per serving, nearly 60% more than barley flour. Among the host of vitamins and minerals it contains, we can find calcium (9 times more calcium than the whole wheat flour frequently found in grocery stores!) and iron: it contains double the iron content of buckwheat and wheat flours! Its advantage? Since it is made from barley, wheat and oats, spent grain flour contains almost all the nutrients associated with these grains, but in a single package!
3- Good for our intestinal flora
Our intestinal flora, or microbiota, is the set of bacteria that inhabit our intestine. Very topical and not yet fully understood, our intestinal flora plays major roles in our body, mainly by ensuring optimal digestion and by being involved in the synthesis of vitamins and hormones essential to our survival. But for these bacteria to do their job well, they must also be well nourished! The fibers contained in cereals frequently used in brewing beers and found in spent grain flour act as prebiotics, that is to say, they nourish the good bacteria (probiotics) that reside in our intestine.
The proteins contained in spent grain flour are also essential: they contain a good number of essential amino acids and play a major role in regulating satiety. Tired of protein powder or looking for ways to increase the protein content of your plate? Spent grain flour will come to your rescue!
This article was written by the registered dietitians at TeamNutrition. Their team offers nutritional consultation services online and in over 80 offices across Canada.
For tasty recipes and to learn more about how to vary your plate, visit their KoalaPro Premium portal or book an appointment with a nutritionist.
