Buckwheat Porridge: Composition, beneficial properties, recipes

At all times buckwheat porridge has been a favorite food for many peoples. Buckwheat was first cultivated in northern India more than 5 thousand years ago. Thanks to its amazing nutritious properties buckwheat conquered almost all continents. Buckwheat porridge has become traditional in various national cuisines.

Composition and calories

In terms of chemical composition, buckwheat can be called a natural Mendeleev's table. And the combination of some minerals and vitamins is so unique that it is not found in any other cereal.

Buckwheat groats are famous for their high content of elements:

• iron;
• phosphorus;
• potassium;
• zinc;
• iodine;
• magnesium;
• sodium.

It also contains such rare elements as molybdenum, cobalt, selenium. B vitamins (B1, B2, B9), vitamins E, A, PP are present in large quantities. Buckwheat outperforms other cereals in terms of protein and fat balance. The presence of essential amino acids: arginine, methionine and lysine allows the proteins to be absorbed up to 80%. The fiber content is very high and carbohydrates do not exceed 60%.

Carbohydrates determine the caloric value of cereal: in 100 grams of dry product - 312 kilocalories, in boiled form - only 110 kilocalories per 100 grams. Although this figure is significant, starchy carbohydrates are digested for a long time and do not participate in the formation of fat deposits.

Taking into account that one portion of buckwheat is prepared from 50 grams of dry groats, the caloric value is halved. At the same time, the energy value of the product allows you to be satiated with this amount.

What is useful for buckwheat porridge

The right ratio of useful substances makes buckwheat the most useful product for adults and children.

For men

If a man wants to stay toned for many years, his daily menu should include dishes from buckwheat in the form of porridges, soups, side dishes. Polyunsaturated acids and rutin contained in it protect the walls of blood vessels. Flavonoids such as quercetin, vetexin cleanse the body of toxins and bad cholesterol. And clean blood vessels men - it is a good blood circulation, which provides a stable potency, the production of the male hormone testosterone, and thus health and longevity is guaranteed.

Often athletes use buckwheat in their diet. Eaten for breakfast, they give energy, help to develop endurance, strength, and thanks to amino acids increase metabolism. This has a beneficial effect on the formation of protein compounds, which increases muscle mass.

For women

1. Women also need to eat buckwheat. In addition to cleansing the blood vessels, it improves digestion and removes toxins. As a result of such cleansing the hair becomes better, the skin is cleaner, and excess weight is actively lost.
2. Those ladies, who have pronounced PMS, with the help of buckwheat porridge can alleviate their condition due to the potassium, calcium and magnesium contained in it.
3. During menopause, when a woman suffers from hot flashes, buckwheat dishes will reduce unpleasant feelings and help to cope with depression.

When breastfeeding and pregnancy

For breastfeeding moms buckwheat is very popular. This has a scientific justification. Buckwheat does not contain gluten, which means that it is hypoallergenic and considered safe for both the nursing mother and the baby. The boiled kernel is perfectly digested, which helps all the useful substances to penetrate into the body without loss. Calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins increase lactation and improve the quality of breast milk. The baby, if his mother regularly eats buckwheat, gets all the necessary micro- and macronutrients while breastfeeding. The large amount of iron in buckwheat prevents anemia, which is especially dangerous for both mother and baby when breastfeeding.

During pregnancy and in preparation for it the doctors recommend to eat buckwheat as often as possible. The presence of a considerable amount of folic acid (vitamin B9) makes buckwheat indispensable for pregnant women. It is the pharmacy preparations of folic acid prescribed to pregnant women to strengthen the walls of the uterus at the threat of termination of pregnancy.

The natural vitamin B9 from the kernel is better absorbed and prevents the risk of miscarriage, especially in the first trimester. A balanced chemical composition helps the future mother to receive vital micro- and macro-nutrients, which in turn has a beneficial effect on the formation and development of the baby.

For kids

Buckwheat is also useful for children. Because of the absence of gluten, pediatricians recommend that children under one year of age start to eat buckwheat porridge with water. Fiber helps the gastrointestinal tract, normalizes peristalsis. Useful substances contribute to the prevention of anemia. The main rule for moms is not to feed a child under a year of buckwheat porridge with milk. This impairs the absorption of useful substances, can develop flatulence, diarrhea.

Older children need a lot of energy, because they are learning the world, growing and developing. And for this child's diet should be enriched with vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantities, and at the same time cover all the energy requirements. And here to help mothers comes buckwheat. The caloric value of the product allows to replenish the energy expended, and the vitamin and mineral complex keeps the growing child's body in a balanced state.

Useful properties of buckwheat porridge for weight loss

Nutritionists unequivocally prefer buckwheat among all existing cereals. Its useful properties not only qualitatively cleanse the body, but also contribute to the reduction of excessive weight. Although it contains a small amount of fats, all of them are vegetable polyunsaturated fats. Such fats speed up metabolic processes.

Buckwheat diets are very popular. On such a diet it is possible to reduce weight by 8-10 kilograms for a short time. The diet can be mono, when buckwheat porridge is the only product consumed during the day. Or it can combine the use of buckwheat with kefir or vegetables.

1. The mono diet is very effective. But it has its own rules. It is possible to stick to such a diet no more than one or two days a week, and you need to increase the amount of fluid intake. Buckwheat in such a diet can be boiled or poured over with boiling water and let stand for at least 8-10 hours. Usually steamed groats the night before the day of discharge. The volume of buckwheat eaten per day is a glass of dry product. This is quite enough, because in the swollen form the groats increase in volume 3-4 times.
2. The second variant of this diet is buckwheat porridge with kefir. The principle of preparing groats is the same as in the first case. Only instead of hot water, it is necessary to pour kefir into buckwheat for the night and let it infuse. We should note that in this case the swelling time of groats increases up to 12-14 hours. If there is no time to wait for some reason, you should boil porridge in water, without salt and oil. And already in the bowl pour kefir at room temperature. The volume of buckwheat for the day remains the same. Kefir promotes digestion, and using it together with buckwheat leads to positive results much faster.
3. Boiled buckwheat, cooked with boiled or raw vegetables, is another type of diet, with the help of which you can easily get rid of extra pounds.
4. When porridges and soups are boring, you can diversify your diet with buckwheat kissel. For this purpose, grind the buckwheat in a coffee grinder and pour boiling water over the flour. Infuse it with water for two hours. The proportions should be observed as follows: 1 part of buckwheat flour of your own making and 3 parts of water. All the properties and useful substances in such a kissel remain 100%.

Buckwheat porridge in medicine

All the benefits of buckwheat porridge have long been recognized by official medicine. Dish made of buckwheat is necessarily included in all therapeutic and preventive diets. As a remedy increasing immunity buckwheat is used during rehabilitation period after surgeries, for anemia, after viral and infectious diseases. The use of buckwheat groats is recommended in the presence of such diseases as high blood pressure, arthritis, varicose veins, obesity. There is a medical evidence base based on research for the fact that antioxidants and polyunsaturated fats contained in buckwheat prevent the formation of malignant tumors.

There are a number of medical conditions for which the consumption of buckwheat groats is part of the mandatory treatment measures.

In diabetics

When a person has diabetes, glucose levels in the blood increase. The production of such a hormone as insulin is disturbed or absent altogether. Insulin is responsible for the absorption of glucose into the body's cells. Usually the doctor prescribes the patient treatment with strict observance of the diet, which excludes simple carbohydrates: white bread, candy, sugar, and culinary products. Since carbohydrates are necessary for the normal functioning of all vital systems, buckwheat is a lifesaver. It has complex starchy carbohydrates that are slowly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream with the help of fiber, without causing a spike in glucose. For patients with insulin-dependent type of diabetes, this allows them to reduce the dose of insulin they inject.

Important: The glycemic index of buckwheat is 40 units.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory process in the pancreas, when the enzymes it produces are not released into the duodenum, but remain in the gland itself. In essence, the pancreas begins to destroy itself. In the early stages of the disease, the first thing that the attending physician recommends is a strict diet. At the exacerbation of the disease - complete starvation. But it is necessary to get out of the therapeutic starvation with the help of buckwheat porridge of a viscous consistency.

To prepare it is not difficult. It is necessary to boil buckwheat in plenty of water without salt and oil. Then you should grind the mashed potatoes through a sieve or in a blender. This puree is fed to the patient for about a week. After that, it is allowed to eat lean buckwheat soup and uncooked porridge. Its useful properties of buckwheat can improve the pancreas, relieve inflammation, restore digestive processes.

Gastritis

Gastritis impairs the secretion of gastric juices. It can be increased or decreased. The main task of dietary nutrition is to provide the body with all the necessary useful elements and at the same time not to overload the depressed stomach. In the case of both elevated and reduced acidity, the dietary table includes in the patient's diet dishes from buckwheat. But their preparation depends on the type of gastritis. If the stomach excretes acid, buckwheat is cooked viscous, strictly in water, without adding spices, salt and any oil. It is allowed to eat buckwheat soups with small amounts of neutral vegetables. Buckwheat with its unique composition can calm the irritated stomach, improve digestion and provide vitamins and minerals to the weakened body.

With reduced acidity it is necessary to stimulate the stomach to secrete enough gastric juice. Therefore it is recommended to cook buckwheat soups and porridges on meat and mushroom broths. Add vegetable or butter in small amounts. Serve buckwheat porridge as a garnish to lightly fried and then stewed lean meat.

Consume it together with vegetables. In this case, the fiber contained in buckwheat serves as a stimulant and simultaneously as an enveloping element.

In case of gout

This disease affects the joints due to excessive levels of uric acid in the blood. Metabolism is disturbed, the kidneys can not cope with the removal of waste products, in particular uric acid. To date, the most effective way to treat and maintain health with gout is a strict diet.

All kinds of meat, spices and vegetables with a pronounced spicy taste are completely excluded from the diet. At the same time a complete diet must be provided in full. Buckwheat is a good substitute for animal proteins. It contains proteins that are easier for the body to digest than from meat. Therefore, the patient's menu includes such dishes as soups, porridges, and steamed buckwheat. The fiber present in buckwheat helps to remove excess uric acid, acting as a sponge: it absorbs the accumulated urea from the gastrointestinal tract and removes it from the body.

For constipation

Such an unpleasantness as constipation can turn a person off from normal life for several days. It occurs because of poor intestinal peristalsis. Impaired function causes clumps of food to accumulate and not be eliminated by the body. It is necessary to spur the intestines and practically clean them. In this will help fiber, the percentage of which in buckwheat can cope with this delicate problem. It is important to know that the buckwheat itself can hardly cause constipation.

For therapeutic purposes, buckwheat is steamed with boiling water in a thermos, and left overnight. In the morning, you eat it on an empty stomach, drinking plenty of water. In this case you get the effect of "ruffle". With this method, the function of evacuation of contents is restored.

Harm and contraindications

Buckwheat porridge can do no harm. The only caveat is not to overeat. Although it is a dietary product, you should not consume it in unlimited quantities. There is a danger of flatulence and intestinal cramps.

Excessive consumption of buckwheat groats is contraindicated to people with high blood clotting. Vitamin PP contained in buckwheat increases blood viscosity. Also you should abstain from buckwheat if you are hypersensitive to this product.

How to boil buckwheat porridge

There are many recipes and ways to boil tasty buckwheat porridge.

With water

The main one is buckwheat porridge with water. Such a dish can become an independent breakfast, or it can be served as a side dish to the main menu for lunch or dinner.

To cook 4 portions of buckwheat porridge we need 200 grams of groats, 600 ml of water, butter or vegetable oil - 50 g, salt and spices to taste.

To make the porridge fragrant, with a bright flavor, it is better to fry the groats in a dry frying pan before boiling. It is necessary to stir for 3-4 minutes, until the groats get a characteristic red-brown color. Then transfer the groats to a saucepan with a thick bottom, pour water on it and bring it to a boil. Salt at this point is not necessary. Salty water is heavier - it will not allow the porridge to become crumbly. Once the water has boiled, you need to turn down the heat and cook in the simmering mode for 20 minutes. The water should boil almost completely. For 5 minutes before the readiness of porridge add salt, spices and pieces of butter. Cover with lid, wait 5 minutes, turn off the fire under the pot.

Immediately serve the porridge is not necessary. It should come to the end under the lid, the melted butter will sink - all this will take 10 minutes. Now you can stir in the fluffy buckwheat porridge and serve.

With milk

As in the first recipe, it is better to take grits roasted. For 4 servings: 200 grams of groats, 1 cup of water and 2 cups of milk. Butter - 50 grams, salt and sugar - half a teaspoon each.

Pour the groats into a saucepan, pour a glass of water. Give it to a boil, turn down the heat and wait until all water has boiled. Then pour 2 cups of milk, add fire, and wait until the milk boils. Again, you should turn down the heat under the pot and cook to the degree of readiness that you like best.

Recipe for buckwheat porridge with vegetables in the multicooker

To save time for cooking a hot meal for lunch, you can use the multicooker.

To cook 4 portions you will need the following ingredients: buckwheat groats - 200 g, onion - 1 pc, carrots - 1 pc, mushrooms - 3-4 pcs, water - 400 ml, vegetable oil - 2 tbsp, salt, spices to taste.

Cooking process. Pour oil on the bottom of the bowl of a multicooker, put finely chopped mushrooms and vegetables, set the mode "Fry" and pass the vegetable mixture for 5-6 minutes. Then add washed groats, pour water, add salt and spices. Thoroughly mix and set the mode "Grass" in the multicooker. Instead of water you can add mushroom or meat broth. You just have to wait until the cooking process is complete, and the delicious dish is ready!

Is Buckwheat allergy possible?

Buckwheat is considered a safe product for allergy sufferers, since it is not a cereal and does not contain gluten. Buckwheat does not use chemical fertilizers and is not treated with pest control pesticides. Buckwheat itself has never been artificially genetically altered and is rightfully considered a non-GMO product.

Allergic reactions can occur in people who were fed too much buckwheat as children. These symptoms are caused more by psychosomatic than by serious disorders in the body.

How to choose buckwheat for porridge

When choosing buckwheat groats for porridge, the following rules should be followed:

1. The production date on the package should be September, October. This means that the groats were packaged in the harvest season.
2. The lighter the kernels, the less the groats were exposed to heat, therefore, vitamins and minerals were preserved in it better.

Interesting fact about buckwheat: The name "buckwheat" the groat got because of its journey from Greece to Russia, where it was brought from in the VII century. Interestingly, in Europe buckwheat is often called "Tartar" or "Tatar groats". In buckwheat's homeland, North India, it is called black rice.

Photo of buckwheat porridge