We have forgotten in our modern cities what soil looks like, what it is to plunge our “refined” hands into the moist earth and reap the fertile results.

But there has been a resurgence reminding us of the importance of whole foods. Reminding us of simpler times when people didn’t eat overly processed foods. This whole foods revival has reminded us that things like whole wheat berries, the fancy name for whole wheat kernels, contain a more complete set of nutrients.

Remembering the Old Healthy Ways

Whole wheat berries come in several varieties. Both hard and soft wheat berries can be used for baking and in every day foods. These wheat berries are filled with fiber, iron and vitamins B and C. They can be cooked and eaten whole, which is great for breakfasts or salads. Wheat berries can also be milled into healthy whole wheat flour. Then you can use that flour to make cakes, pastas, cookies or whatever.

All You Need Is Imagination

While it may be strange to start cooking with whole grains initially, with a little creativity you’ll be on your way. There are tons of whole foods recipes to choose from. Just pick something that suits your fancy and that your family can enjoy. Getting children who are accustomed to processed foods eating whole foods may be difficult as your getting started. But starting children eating whole foods at a young age will get them into good habits while they are still young.

Eating Whole Foods Regularly

Can you use wheat berries for every meal? Yes, of course, your ingenuity is the only limit. Breakfast served with cooked wheat berries and mixed with yogurt and fruits can combine for a delicious meal that is at the same time filling and healthy. A quick lunch can consist of a whole wheat bread sandwich and a cranberry juice, while dinner should include some whole wheat pasta. Dieticians recommend between 25 and 35g of fiber a day, so get your recipes out of the closet and start figuring out the gram amounts for each meal. Be careful however not to jump suddenly from little fiber to a lot of fiber, as the increase may cause stomach pains and painful gases. Do it gradually.

Reviewing the Food Pyramid

The US Food Guide Pyramid recommends at least 6 servings a day of whole grain, including wheat berries found in cereals, bread and pastas. One serving is equivalent to 1 slice of bread, a cup of cereal, and half a cup of pasta. As mentioned above, wheat berries contain an abundance of fiber and vitamins. A meal with whole grain helps control the level of sugar in the body, an important factor if you have a diabetic in the family. Minerals and anti-oxidants are also present in whole wheat, a component that has been shown to be helpful in retarding the effects of aging.