So, what is kamut? It is an ancient grain that is making a comeback in the modern world.
This grain was once a staple in the diets of many cultures, but has since fell out of favor.
However, kamut is now being rediscovered for its nutritional value and unique flavor, especially because it’s better than regular wheat.
There are many reasons to choose kamut grain over regular wheat.
For one, kamut grain is an ancient grain that is higher in protein and nutrients than regular wheat.
Kamut grain is also easier to digest and does not contain the harmful gluten found in regular wheat.
Additionally, kamut is a great choice for those with wheat allergies or sensitivities.
These are just a few of the reasons why you should consider kamut over regular wheat. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Kamut Flour?
Also known as Khorasan wheat, kamut is a non-hybridized type of wheat and an ancient grain that is similar in appearance to modern wheat but double in size.
Kamut was first cultivated in the Fertile Crescent, an area of the Middle East that includes parts of modern-day Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey.
Kamut wheat was introduced to the United States in the 1940s by an American serviceman who brought back some seeds from Egypt.
Today, Kamut wheat is grown primarily in Montana and North Dakota.
Kamut is a nutrient-rich grain that contains high levels of protein, fiber, and vitamins.
It is also a good source of minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and iron.
Kamut flour can be used in place of all-purpose flour in most recipes, and kamut flakes make a great addition to oatmeal or granola.
Kamut nutrition
One cup or 172 grams of cooked kamut can offer approximately:
- Calories: 251
- Carbohydrates: 52.4 grams
- Protein: 11.1 grams
- Fat: 1.6 grams
- Dietary fiber: 7 grams
- Manganese: 2 milligrams, or104 percent of the daily requirement
- Phosphorus: 304 milligrams, or 30 percent of the daily requirement
- Niacin: 4.7 milligrams, or 24 percent of the daily requirement
- Magnesium: 96 milligrams, or 24 percent of the daily requirement
- Copper: 0.4 milligrams, or 21 percent of the daily requirement
- Zinc: 3 milligrams, or 20 percent of the daily requirement
- Iron: 3 milligrams, or 19 percent of the daily requirement
- Thiamin: 0.2 milligrams, or 14 percent of the daily requirement
- Vitamin B6: 0.14 milligrams, or 7 percent of the daily requirement
- Folate: 20 micrograms, or 5 percent of the daily requirement
- Riboflavin, or vitamin B2: 0.05 milligrams, or 3 percent of the daily requirement
- Calcium: 17 milligrams, or 2 percent of the daily requirement
Kamut vs. Wheat:
There are many reasons to choose kamut grain over regular wheat. These may include:
1. It’s high in protein
Kamut is a high-protein grain with more protein than regular wheat.
This makes it a great choice for people who are looking to increase their protein intake.
It’s also a great plant-based source of protein for those on a plant-based diet.
Protein is an essential nutrient for our bodies, and for different reasons:
- It can help build and repair muscles
Proteins are the building blocks of muscles. When you exercise, your muscles are broken down and need protein to repair and rebuild themselves.
When you eat protein, your body breaks it down into amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscle.
Your muscles use these amino acids to repair and grow bigger and stronger.
- Boosts metabolism
Protein boosts metabolism by increasing thermogenesis, or heat production, in the body.
This process of burning more calories to produce heat requires energy, and thus results in an increased metabolic rate.
In addition to promoting thermogenesis, protein also helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss.
When calorie intake is reduced, the body often breaks down muscle tissue for energy.
However, protein helps to spare muscle by providing an alternative source of energy.
This is especially important for active individuals who need to maintain their muscle mass and strength.
- Curbing hunger
Protein is the most satiating macronutrient, meaning it is the most filling and satisfying of the three major nutrients (fat, protein, and carbohydrates).
When you eat protein-rich foods, you are more likely to feel full and satisfied after meals, which can help to curb hunger and overeating.
What’s more, protein takes longer to digest than other nutrients, so it can help to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
This is especially beneficial if you are trying to lose weight or manage your appetite.
So, if you’re looking for a way to control your hunger and eat fewer calories overall, focus on getting more protein at each meal.
- Improving bone health
Protein is essential for the growth and maintenance of bones. It helps build and repair tissues and provides the building blocks for new bone growth.
Protein also plays an important role in calcium absorption and bone metabolism.
Calcium is essential for strong bones, and protein helps to ensure that the body properly absorbs calcium.
Additionally, protein helps regulate bone turnover, which is the process by which old bone tissue is broken down, and new bone tissue is created.
2. It is higher in vitamins and minerals than regular wheat
Vitamins and minerals are essential for our bodies to function properly. They help us maintain our health and prevent disease.
Kamut is a good source of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and magnesium.
This makes it a great option for those who are looking to increase their intake of these important nutrients.
3. It has a low glycemic index
The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels.
Kamut flour has a lower glycemic index (45) compared to regular wheat (54).
In terms of wheat products, regular wheat bread has a GI of 71 for both white and brown bread, which is pretty high and can cause a spike in blood sugar.
On the other hand, the high protein and fiber in kamut help slow down glucose release into the bloodstream during digestion; thus, it doesn’t cause blood sugar levels to spike as quickly.
This makes it a good choice for people who are trying to control their blood sugar levels.
However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when you’re eating kamut.
First of all, it’s important to eat it in moderation. Just because it doesn’t cause blood sugar spikes doesn’t mean that eating too much of it won’t have an effect on your blood sugar levels.
Secondly, if you’re going to be eating kamut regularly, make sure to pair it with other healthy low-glycemic foods so that you don’t end up with spikes anyway.
4. Kamut grain is more easily digestible than regular wheat
Kamut grain is also more easily digestible than regular wheat. This is because the gluten in kamut is easier to break down, making it more tolerable for people with gluten sensitivities.
In case you don’t know, regular wheat is not the original form of wheat. It resulted from cross-pollination between 2 wild grass in an effort to create a grain that could withstand various climatic changes, but also increase yield to help combat hunger.
This resulted in a resilient crop, but the protein (gluten) in this kind of wheat was found to be tough and difficult for the human gut to digest.
Kamut, on the other hand, is an ancient grain, and although it contains gluten, its type of gluten is easy for the digestive juices to break down without causing you any adverse effects.
5. Boosts healthy digestion
While regular wheat is associated with digestive issues like celiac disease and sensitivities, kamut has been shown to do the opposite.
Kamut is a good source of fiber, which helps keep the digestive system working properly by promoting regularity and preventing constipation.
Fiber also helps reduce the risk of diverticular disease, a condition that can occur when pockets form in the lining of the large intestine.
Kamut is also a good source of vitamins A, E, and selenium, all of which are important for maintaining a healthy digestive system.
Selenium, in particular, has been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut and protect against gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcerative colitis.
Kamut is also high in zinc, which is essential for regulating healthy digestion and fighting common digestive issues like diarrheal diseases.
6. Good for your mental health
Kamut is rich in vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, magnesium, and zinc. These nutrients are important for cognitive function and brain health.
Thiamin is essential for energy production in the brain. It helps the nervous system function properly and plays a role in learning and memory.
Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, many of which are related to brain function.
It helps regulate neurotransmitters, which are critical for mood and memory.
Zinc is important for cell growth and development and plays a role in cognition and memory.
This is, however, not the case with regular wheat: the gluten in regular wheat can greatly disrupt your mental health and wellbeing.
Gluten has been shown to cause inflammation in the brain, which can lead to a number of problems, including impaired cognitive function, anxiety, and depression.
Gluten has also been linked to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
There is also some evidence that gluten may even be involved in the development of autism spectrum disorder.
7. Promotes detoxification
Detoxifying the body is an important part of keeping it healthy and functioning properly.
There are many different ways to detoxify the body, but one of the most effective and easiest ways is to consume foods that are high in phosphorus.
Kamut is a perfect example of a food that is high in phosphorus and can help to detoxify the body.
Phosphorus is a mineral that plays an important role in many bodily processes, including cell growth, metabolism, and energy production.
It also helps remove waste products from the body through urine.
8. Regulates hormones
Kamut is a grain that is naturally high in selenium, which is a mineral that helps to balance hormones.
The selenium in kamut can help regulate the thyroid gland and improve fertility.
Kamut is also a good source of magnesium, which is another mineral that helps to balance hormones.
Magnesium helps relax the nervous system and can be helpful for PMS and menopause symptoms.
9. Rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants are important for health because they help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and lead to disease.
Kamut is a good source of several different antioxidants, including Vitamin E, selenium, and phenolic acids.
These nutrients work together to scavenge free radicals and prevent them from causing damage to the body.
Studies have shown that people who eat diets rich in antioxidants have a lower risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
10. Tastes great
Kamut grain has a nutty, buttery taste that is much more flavorful than regular wheat.
How to add Kamut to the diet
- Add kamut to soups and stews for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Make a healthy kamut pilaf by cooking it in broth with vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions.
- Use kamut flour to make delicious and nutritious pancakes or waffles.
- Combine cooked kamut with beans, veggies, and spices to make a hearty chili.
- Try using kamut flour in place of all-purpose flour when baking cookies, cakes, or bread.
- For a healthy and filling breakfast, cook up some kamut flakes like oatmeal and top with fresh fruit and nuts.
- Mix cooked kamut with ground beef or lamb to make burgers or meatballs with a unique flavor and nutritional boost.
- Toss cooked kamut with olive oil and your favorite herbs for a simple but tasty side dish.
- Fill tortillas or wraps with refried beans, shredded cheese, and diced kamut for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Make a sweet and satisfying smoothie by blending milk, frozen bananas, honey, and kamut flakes.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons to choose kamut grain over regular wheat.
Kamut is an ancient grain that is packed with nutrients and has a higher protein content than wheat.
It is also easier to digest than wheat, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or other digestive issues.
Kamut is also more versatile than wheat, as it can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
If you are looking for a healthy and delicious grain to add to your diet, look no further than kamut!