Better Nutrition May 2019
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eating4HEALTH<br />
Wheat Berry Salad with Pomegranates & Pistachios<br />
Serves 4<br />
This sweet-and-savory side combines foods shown to benefit blood pressure with a creamy,<br />
yogurt-based dressing laced with lime. Lean protein makes it a full meal; use pre-cooked<br />
rotisserie chicken or cubed tofu. To make this recipe gluten-free, try sorghum or brown<br />
rice in place of wheat berries.<br />
1 cup dry wheat berries<br />
½ cup low-fat plain Greek<br />
yogurt<br />
2 Tbs. lime juice<br />
2 Tbs. agave syrup<br />
½ cup pomegranate<br />
seeds<br />
½ small red onion,<br />
diced<br />
¼ cup pistachios<br />
2 cups baby arugula<br />
8 oz. cubed cooked<br />
chicken or tofu<br />
Crumbled goat<br />
cheese (optional)<br />
1. Rinse wheat berries under cold running<br />
water in colander. Transfer to large, heavy<br />
saucepan, and add 2 cups water. Bring to<br />
a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, partly<br />
covered, 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until<br />
tender but suntil firm. Drain, rinse, and let cool.<br />
2. While wheat berries are cooking, whisk<br />
together yogurt, lime juice, and agave in<br />
small bowl. Set aside.<br />
3. Transfer wheat berries to large bowl, and<br />
add pomegranate seeds, onion, pistachios,<br />
arugula, and chicken or tofu. Add yogurt<br />
dressing, and toss to mix well. Season<br />
with salt and pepper.<br />
4. Chill 30 minutes before serving to allow<br />
flavors blend, or divide among four<br />
serving plates. Top with goat cheese, if<br />
desired, before serving.<br />
Per serving (with chicken): 370 cal; 29g prot;<br />
7g total fat (1.5 sat fat); 49g carb; 50mg chol;<br />
55mg sod; 8g fiber; 12g sugar<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY: PORNCHAI MITTONGTARE; FOOD STYLING: CLAIRE STANCER; PROP STYLIST: ROBIN TURK<br />
Hibiscus tea<br />
is rich in phenols<br />
and anthocyanins,<br />
antioxidants that<br />
help normalize<br />
cholesterol and<br />
lower blood pressure. In one study,<br />
people who drank three servings a day<br />
of hibiscus tea showed reductions in<br />
both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.<br />
In another study, hibiscus tea was as<br />
effective at lowering blood pressure<br />
as the blood pressure medication<br />
Captopril. It was also more effective than<br />
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic<br />
used to treat hypertension, without<br />
causing the electrolyte imbalances<br />
associated with the drug.<br />
Recipe Tips: Mix pomegranate juice, cooled<br />
hibiscus tea, and sparkling water for a<br />
refreshing mocktail; freeze strong-brewed<br />
hibiscus tea and mint leaves in ice cube<br />
trays and add to sparkling water; simmer<br />
hibiscus and rooibos tea leaves with ginger<br />
slices and cinnamon sticks, then strain and<br />
serve hot with honey.<br />
Yogurt and other<br />
dairy products may<br />
protect against<br />
high blood pressure.<br />
One review found a<br />
link between low-fat dairy, especially<br />
yogurt, and a reduced risk of hypertension;<br />
cheese did not show the same<br />
effect. In another study, women who ate<br />
five or more servings of yogurt per week<br />
showed a 20 percent reduction in their<br />
risk for developing high blood pressure.<br />
Researchers believe calcium, magnesium,<br />
phosphorus, and other nutrients in dairy<br />
play a role. In addition, dairy products<br />
contain peptides, compounds with<br />
bioactive properties shown to affect<br />
blood pressure.<br />
Recipe Tips: Whisk yogurt with tomato<br />
sauce, garlic, and rosemary, and simmer for<br />
a creamy pasta sauce; combine yogurt,<br />
quick oats, flax seeds, and honey, and<br />
refrigerate overnight for instant breakfast<br />
oats; sauté baby spinach with garlic, curry<br />
powder, and cumin seeds, and stir in yogurt<br />
for a creamy Indian side.<br />
Wheat berries<br />
and other whole grains<br />
are high in fiber and<br />
other compounds that<br />
protect against high<br />
blood pressure. In one study, people<br />
who ate three servings of whole wheat<br />
or other whole grains had reduced<br />
systolic blood pressure. Other studies<br />
show similar effects, and whole grains in<br />
general are linked with a reduction in<br />
the risk of overall cardiovascular disease.<br />
Enjoy if you're not sensitive to glutencontaining<br />
grains or grains in general.<br />
Recipe Tips: Soak wheat berries in water<br />
overnight, then add to salads or oatmeal<br />
for a chewy, intriguing texture; cook wheat<br />
berries until tender, then sauté with wild<br />
mushrooms, leeks, thyme, and walnuts<br />
for a healthy pilaf; combine cooked or<br />
soaked wheat berries with green onions,<br />
diced carrots, red peppers, arugula, and a<br />
balsamic vinaigrette.<br />
Lisa Turner is a chef, food writer, product developer, and nutrition<br />
coach in Boulder, Colo. She has more than 20 years of experience in<br />
researching and writing about nourishing foods, and coaching people<br />
toward healthier eating habits. Find her at lisaturnercooks.com.<br />
46 • MAY <strong>2019</strong>