Originally from Ancient Mesopotamia, farro is a term used to describe any one of three ancient wheat grains: einkorn, emmer, or spelt. However, in the United States and Europe, the term farro generally refers to emmer wheat.
Although farro has been popular in other parts of the world — especially Italy — for a long time, farro is rising in popularity in the United States as a nutritious substitution for other common grains. It’s known for its unique, nutty flavor. It’s also packed with nutrients and provides more health benefits than many common grains.
Health Benefits
Farro is a grain, and most people use it as a carbohydrate source in meals. But when compared to popular refined carbohydrates, farro’s health benefits make it a superior choice for healthy living. Here are just a few of the impressive health benefits of eating farro.
Improve Digestive Health
Farro is an excellent source of fiber. Fiber, in turn, helps regulate the digestive system. So it’s no surprise that farro has been shown to improve digestion in humans. If you have constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, or other digestive disorders, you may especially benefit from adding farro to your diet.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Although no studies have specifically looked at farro and weight loss, there are a number of factors that suggest that farro could help you maintain a healthy weight. Specifically, farro is loaded with fiber and protein. Studies show that increasing fiber intake can help prevent obesity.
Meanwhile, protein is associated with creating a feeling of fullness, which can help prevent overeating. And studies show that eating three servings of whole grains like farro per day is associated with a lower BMI in humans.
Nutrition
Not all grains are created equal. Farro, in particular, is loaded with nutrients, making it a good alternative to the “empty carbohydrates” that many diets warn against. In fact, it’s an excellent source of plant-based protein, making it a great option for vegetarians and vegans to add to their lifestyle. Farro is also an excellent source of:
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Fiber
Nutrients per Serving
Per ¼ cup serving of farro, you’ll get:
- Calories: 140
- Protein: 6 grams
- Carbohydrates: 30 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Sodium: 25 milligrams
Things to Watch Out For
Although farro is a relatively healthy grain, it’s important to remember that, like all grains, farro is relatively high in carbohydrates. Sticking to appropriate ¼ cup portion sizes of farro can prevent you from overindulging in carbohydrates for the day.
Keep in mind that people with type 2 diabetes may see a reduction of symptoms on a low-carbohydrate diet.
Despite being advertised on certain blogs as a low-gluten alternative to other grains, it’s also important to remember that there is no way to completely remove gluten from farro. As a result, it is not a safe food for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
How to Prepare Farro
Farro is a unique grain with a chewy texture and a nutty flavor. Though it can be substituted for any other grain in popular family recipes, keep in mind that water doesn’t make it expand as much as some grains, like rice.
Farro cooks best when you rinse it first in cold water. Then, cook farro the same way you would cook pasta: in a pot of boiling water.
Some people choose to soak farro overnight, which can shorten the cooking time to 20-30 minutes. Otherwise, unsoaked farro takes 30-40 minutes to cook in boiling water. You can tell farro is done cooking when it’s chewy rather than crunchy. Drain the farro right away to keep it from continuing to steam.
There are a number of delicious ways to enjoy farro. Some suggestions include:
- Fried like rice
- Served with grilled fish on top
- Tossed into salad
- As the base of a burrito bowl