Buckwheat is a food that people are starting to realise is really healthy and has lots of benefits. Many people think it is a wholegrain but it is actually a seed. You can also use it in lots of different ways, so if you want to replace rice, oats, wheat or barley with something new then you should try buckwheat. Here are some of the benefits of this great food.

A good source of Protein

If you are a vegetarian then buckwheat is a great source of protein for you. Cooked buckwheat contains about 6g of protein in one cup. Even if you are not a vegetarian, buckwheat is still a great food to have in your diet as it will help boost your protein intake and give you loads of other benefits as well

High in Fibre

One cup of cooked buckwheat contains 5-6g of fibre (you need about 25-30g a day) and only 155 kcal. This is good because fibre is vital for healthy digestion. Fibre is also great for weight loss as it fills you up quicker and for longer

It is Gluten Free

If you do have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease then Buckwheat is a great food to have in your diet because it contains no gluten! So if you find that you have problems digesting wheat, barley or rye then try buckwheat instead (you can even use it as a replacement for porridge!)

Full of Vitamins and Minerals

Buckwheat is full of lots of nutrients that your body needs. Just make sure you buy wholegrain buckwheat and not a processed type. For example buckwheat is a good source of B Vitamins, Iron, Magnesium and Zinc. These are important for muscle recovery, good digestion and healthy circulation

Good for Diabetics

Buckwheat is a low GI food. This means it is digested slowly and provides a constant release of energy. This prevents large increases or decreases in your blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes. A study has shown that buckwheat improved diabetics blood sugar control, without the need for extra medication

This is just some of the benefits of buckwheat and reasons you should have it in your diet today. If you have any great buckwheat recipes then share them here