What is Wheat Flour? || Look Inside of a kernel of wheat

Choose a Balance Diet.

Nutrients by Namilco Flour.

Know Your Carbohydrate.

Healthy Sandwich Suggestions.

 

 

 

What is wheat Flour?

Wheat is a cultivated cereal grass of which there are three main varieties: Bread Wheat - winter & spring, Soft Wheat - perfect for cakes and cookies, both of which are used at NAMILCO; and Durum Wheat which is used for pasta (not used at the mill).
Bread wheat is the world's most important cereal crop. The wheat berry, and the way it is milled, gives us flours in different varieties and grades. The berry consists of the outer husk or bran, the endosperm, containing most of the starch to make flour, and the inner core or wheat germ embryo. When the entire grain is milled we obtain a brown flour rich in nutrients and protein.

The "brownness" of the flour depends on the amount of bran included, white flour being the product of the endosperm only.
Strong, hard or bread flour is milled from certain varieties of bread wheats, while all-purpose, soft, plain or cake flour has less gluten, and comes from soft types of flour. Self-rising flour, such as "Maid Marian" contains an aerating agent.

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Choose a Balance Diet

Choosing a balanced diet is a matter of eating food in the correct proportions. This isn’t difficult as all foods fall into one of very few food groups as the Healthy Eating Pyramid shows. Forget those fad diets which come and go - eat a balanced diet, cut down on fatty foods, make sure you take as much exercise as you can and you’ll stay fit and healthy.

There are 4 Basic Food Groups: Milk, Meat, Fruit & Vegetable and Grain & Cereals. It is recommended in order to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet, that adults eat four or more servings of Grain & Cereals per day. This may be in the form of bread, roti or cereal and should make up 58% of our daily meals as shown in the food pyramid below.

FATS, OIL use sparingly MILK, YOGHURT and CHEESE group 2-3 measures daily		Added SUGARS, SWEETS, SUGARED DRINKS use infrequently MEAT, POULTRY, FISH, DRY BEANS, EGGS and NUTS group 2-3 measures daily VEGETABLES and FRUIT group 5-9 measures daily Nutrition Centre BREAD, CEREAL group 5-11 measures daily
	From these Grains & Cereals, and hence NAMILCO flours, we obtain the following nutrients:	back to top

Nutrients by Namilco Flour

Carbohydrates- for energy

Thiamin (vitamin B1) - necessary in body for release of energy and to keep nerves healthy.

Niacin - acts as a coenzyme in the release of energy from fat, carbohydrate and protein. Large amounts in the diet have also been used to lower cholesterol and protect against heart attacks.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) - needed to use energy in the body and ensure healthy eyes, skin, lips, and tongue.

Iron - essential mineral forming part of hemoglobin, the pigment in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Folic Acid - an important vitamin which acts in many metabolic actions in the body. It is of particular value to pregnant and lactating women for the development of infants' central nervous systems.

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Know Your Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the number one fuel for energy and should supply 50% of your calorie intake, with the majority coming from complex carbohydrates such as bread, cereals, pasta, potatoes and rice.

As a staple food, rich in complex carbohydrates bread can help:

- increase your stamina and fight fatigue

- boost energy and performance

- fill you up so you’re not tempted by those fattening snacks

- make you feel happier! A breakfast rich in complex carbohydrates such as bread has been shown to improve your mood and make you feel more alert

- relieve PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome).

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Health Sandwich Suggestions

For a healthy sandwich option, cut bread really thickly or buy thick sliced bread and fill with one of the low fat fillings suggested below.

1 Wholemeal bread filled with low fat soft cheese, dates and chopped walnuts.

2 Sliced white bread filled with tuna, tomato, watercress and low fat salad dressing.

3 Bread filled with reduced fat mozzarella, beef, tomatoes, olives and low calorie salad dressing.

4 Bread cut into wedges filled with roasted peppers, aubergine and onion.

5 Pitta bread filled with crumbled feta, beansprouts, baby spinach and cucumber.

6 Bread filled with cottage cheese combined with chopped dates.

7 Olive bread filled with hummus and salad leaves.

8 Raisin bread filled with banana, sultanas and cinnamon.

9 Soda bread filled with mature grated Cheddar cheese, tomato and lettuce.

10 Bagel filled with low fat soft cheese, salmon and tomato.