Pearl barley useful properties and contraindications. Barley for children. The benefits and beneficial properties of pearl barley for human health

The well-known pearl barley is a kind of greeting from Soviet childhood, when healthy barley porridge was generously served in public canteens and kindergartens, flavored with gravy to enhance palatability. But she enjoyed such popularity not only because of the comparative cheapness, but also because of the many useful substances that are contained in each grain of barley, from which barley is actually made. Is pearl barley useful and why? About this and will be discussed farther.

Useful properties of barley

It turns out that barley is a very ancient culture that was familiar to people several millennia ago. During the time of Peter I barley was a frequent guest on the royal table, and later steamed in a Russian oven and mixed with cream became a favorite delicacy of the royal heirs. Such a love for barley porridge is explained not only palatability this dish, but also a huge set of useful substances that are present in each grain.

Pearl barley

Barley is very useful and has an effect on the entire body. This porridge is simply indispensable for spring beriberi, and it is also recommended to use it for older people whose body is prone to inflammatory processes and is prone to exacerbation chronic diseases. Barley is no less useful for children, whose growing body requires a variety of vitamins and microelements. And of course, pearl barley is indicated for use by convalescent people and athletes whose body is weakened due to illness or physical exertion.

Barley porridge helps to increase immunity and normalize metabolism, improve work nervous system, strengthening bone skeleton, and is also responsible for the process of skin rejuvenation, work endocrine system, brain activity and saturation of the body with oxygen.

Useful substances of pearl barley

• vitamins of groups A, B, E and D;
• trace elements such as iron, zinc, phosphorus, iodine, potassium and zinc;
• fats, fiber, carbohydrates and proteins.

Barley contains most of the periodic table.

Is pearl barley good for weight loss?

Despite the fact that barley contains carbohydrates, it is indicated for use in weight loss, since its calorie content is only 121 per 100 grams in boiled form. In addition, due to its properties to break down fats, as well as cleanse the body of toxins and other harmful formations, pearl barley helps to reduce weight. Also, do not forget that barley porridge satisfying, which allows the body to acquire energy for movement and eliminates the feeling of hunger for a long time.

What is harmful barley

Oddly enough, but such a useful product as barley has contraindications for use. For example, this cereal should not be present in the diet of pregnant women and children under three years of age because of the gluten protein, which almost every third person has an individual intolerance to and which threatens to worsen the functioning of many organs from the heart to the brain. It is also not advisable to use barley for people with problems of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular with constipation and increased acidity of the stomach.

How much barley can you eat per day

Since pearl barley is still a low-calorie product, you can use it quite often, but it is recommended that no more than a glass of cereal per day, naturally boiled while following a diet. On a normal day, barley as a porridge or as part of another dish is recommended to be consumed several times a week to saturate the body. necessary trace elements and vitamins of this will be quite enough.

How to choose pearl barley

When choosing pearl barley, it should be taken into account that there are two types of pearl barley in which it can be on sale - these are actually peeled and polished barley grains and barley groats, that is, crushed barley grains. Whole grains can be stored for a long time, but it is advisable to pour them into glassware after purchase in order to protect them from moisture and insects. The same rules apply to barley groats, but its shelf life does not exceed six months, so you need to carefully read the expiration date on the package.

Barley recipe

Of course barley porridge is not the best tasty food in the world, and even vice versa, as many people think, especially those who are on barley diets, but maybe you just need to be able to cook it? In order for barley porridge to turn out tender and tasty, you first need to soak it in cold water in a ratio of 1 to 5, that is, 1 glass of cereal and 5 glasses of water, the soaking process should last at least 8 hours.

Then the water must be drained, add 2 cups of boiling water and place in a double boiler for 1.5 hours. In the finished porridge, you need to add cream, as well as a little honey, and serve after 10 minutes. By the way, barley porridge gives its beneficial features it is in the form of heat, cold porridge has beneficial properties in a much smaller amount.

Pearl barley is one of the popular cereals that more or less often appear on our table. Of course, the so-called pearl barley does not delight everyone. She is especially disliked by men who heartily ate barley, or, in other words, "tarpaulin" porridge, having been in the army. Interestingly, the name "barley" for porridge comes from the old Russian "perly", which means - river pearls. Such a beautiful comparison. pearl barley received due to the similarity in polished surface, shape and color with pearls. This cereal has good nutritional value, and today we asked ourselves the question of what benefits and harms pearl barley has. What is good about this porridge, how to cook it correctly, how to choose high-quality cereals and whether there are contraindications to the use of pearl barley, we will tell you further.

Useful properties of pearl barley.

• • • 1. First of all, barley porridge is prepared from pearl barley. Groats, in turn, are made from the family of cereals - barley. Barley porridge retains all the properties of this cereal. Barley contains a large number of fiber, which acts as a “broom” for the body, cleansing well gastrointestinal tract from deposits on the walls of the intestines, from toxins, normalizes stool and helps fight constipation.
    • 2. A decoction of pearl barley is used in the presence of inflammatory processes in the stomach, it is especially recommended in postoperative period after surgical operation in abdominal cavity. The decoction can be prepared both in water and in milk. folk recipe decoction - 250 g of pearl barley, pour 1.5 liters of hot liquid (water,), you can add a little salt or sugar to taste. Bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes. The resulting broth does not need to be filtered, it will be a liquid consistency. Take 100-200 g at a time, 3 times a day. Store no more than a day.
    • 3. Barley, the benefits and harms of which are our topic, contains the polysaccharide b-glucan. This substance is found in pearl barley in large quantities and helps to lower cholesterol in the vessels. Such a cholesterol-lowering effect, with the constant inclusion of this cereal in the diet, is enhanced and is able to completely rid the body of excess cholesterol and normalize its amount.
    • 4. Pro-vitamin A, contained in pearl barley, supports the proper functioning of the body's immune system. The fight against diseases and viruses is impossible without the active work of this substance. Provitamin A increases the protective function of the mucous membranes, protects the respiratory tract from the penetration of foreign pathogenic bacteria. daily requirement in this provitamin for an adult - 900 mcg. In 100 g of barley porridge, 1.2 mcg of retinol (provitamin A).
    • 5. For those who suffer from kidney stones, bladder, gallbladder, it will be useful to know that pearl barley contains a lot of silicic acid. Although it is a rather weak acid, its effect has a destructive effect on slags, on stones and sand, which are formed in the above organs. So barley porridge, the benefits and harms of which are incommensurable with each other, can have a healing effect on your body when included in the menu twice.

The amino acid lysine present in barley porridge, which also belongs to essential amino acids support heart health. Lysine is needed for growth, to repair damaged tissues, protects the lens of the eye, and increases the body's immune response. This amino acid in pearl barley is enough to prevent the incidence of many diseases. important organs our body. Therefore, it is worth considering, perhaps we are neglecting this tasty, inexpensive and useful products to their own detriment.

Pearl barley in cooking. How to cook barley porridge.

traditional recipe porridge: take 1 glass of cereal for 5 glasses of water. We wash the grain well. The preparation is divided into two stages. First, pour the washed cereal with 3 glasses of water, bring to a boil and cook for 6-7 minutes. Then we discard the cereal in a colander. Pour the remaining 2 cups of water into the pan again, boil, pour in the already half-finished cereal. Salt, add a small piece butter(in the post - 2 tablespoons of vegetable). Cook over low heat for about half an hour.

It is good to serve such porridge with fresh vegetables, lettuce.

Any meat dish will go well with a pearl barley garnish.

Pearl barley is also good in soups, broths. It boils soft and makes the first dish more satisfying and healthy. Children love soups with pearl barley.

A decoction of pearl barley, as we said above, perfectly heals a sick stomach. It is used in sparing diets. To establish lactation, a decoction is recommended for nursing mothers. Another useful quality decoction, very relevant today - on early stages oncological diseases It has been scientifically proven that drinking a decoction inhibits the formation and growth of cancer cells. People who are prone to fullness will also benefit from this decoction. The benefits and harms of barley porridge are very controversial issue, and by a huge margin, of course, the advantage is in the direction of benefit.

Choosing the right pearl barley.

Pearl barley is sold both by weight and packaged in weight packages.

The main criterion is that the croup should be a beautiful golden brown hue, without black blotches. It should not stick together, pay attention that the cereal is not collected in the package with grains glued together. The presence of glued grains will indicate that the storage conditions were not met, temperature regime and, probably, the humidity in the room where the cereal was stored was increased.

If you buy barley by weight, then be sure to check the groats for smell - it should smell fresh pleasant smell cereals. There should not be any rancidity, otherwise the product is frankly not the first freshness. The shelf life of cereals is small - 12 months, so be vigilant and beware of old cereals.

Also on sale you can find canned barley cereals. They are ready to use, they just need to be warmed up. In such porridges remain useful material even after processing and conservation, in field conditions this product is quite suitable for consumption. Pay attention to the date of manufacture, the jar should not be swollen or wrinkled.

Contraindications to the use of barley porridge.

because of high content barley porridge is undesirable for people prone to flatulence, suffering from hyperacidity stomach, as well as pregnant women. Gluten will not harm an unborn child, but future mother due to the rebuilt system of the body, it can happen intestinal disorder.

Pearl barley should be introduced into the diet for children when they reach the age of three.

In case of non-compliance and great use barley porridge, digestive disorders may occur, since this cereal is quite difficult to digest.

In very rare cases pearl barley can cause slight allergic reactions in people sensitive to allergens.

Since childhood, we hear about the right and healthy eating, the main component of which should be cereals as a source of essential carbohydrates. One of the most useful and nutritious is barley porridge. In the article we will talk about how barley is useful for the body, and what harm it can do to it.

Pearl barley is called groats from round barley grains and porridge from this cereal. grains processed special method, cleaned of awns, polished. They are medium in size, light gray in color with a dark brown stripe in the center. Porridges, soups are prepared from them, they are used for fillings of some dishes.

Did you know? The name of pearl barley comes from the word "pearl" because of the external similarity of its boiled grains with the precious mother-of-pearl gifts of the rivers.

Porridge after cooking has a slight aftertaste. Grains during cooking become moderately elastic, but not soft. This is one of the cereals that take a particularly long time to cook.

Useful and nutritional properties barley porridge has been known for a long time - a few centuries ago, noble nobles and merchants loved to use it. However, it was often on the tables of poor peasants.

Calories, vitamins and minerals

Let's take a look at what the nutritional value barley grains, and what useful elements are included in their composition.

100 grams of pearl barley have quite high calorie content- 320 kcal, boiled (on water) - 121 kcal. When compared with other cereals, then, for example, the calorie content is 343 kcal in raw form and 110 in boiled, - 350/88, rice - 358/116, corn grits – 337/86.

The same amount of cereal contains:

• proteins - 9.3 g (12%);
• fat - 1.1 g (3%);
• carbohydrates - 73.7 g (85%).

• A (0.014 mg/100 g);
• B1 (0.12 mg);
• B2 (0.006 mg);
• B3 (4.4 mg);
• B5 (0.5 mg);
• B6 (0.36 mg);
• B9 (24 mcg);
• E (3.7 mg);
• K (0.003 µg);
• PP (3.7 mg).

• phosphorus (323 mg/100 g);
• zinc (0.92 mg);
• potassium (172 mg);
• calcium (38 mg);
• magnesium (40 mg).

Did you know? Pearl barley holds twice more phosphorus than any other cereal crop.

In addition to all of the above components, cereals also contain about 20 amino acids, of which eight are essential.

And due to the presence of a sufficiently large amount of fiber, pearl barley is considered a powerful antioxidant and body cleanser. In terms of fiber content, pearl barley overtakes wheat.

Varieties of pearl barley

Depending on the processing method, pearl barley includes the following varieties:

Benefits for the human body

If you look at the composition of pearl barley, it becomes obvious that due to the content vitamin A she is capable strengthen vision, immune system and improve metabolism.

Vitamin B in porridge stabilizes the nervous system, strengthens hair, cleanses the skin.

for rejuvenation and beautiful looking skin in reply vitamin E.

By eating porridge only twice a week, you can ensure that your hair, nails and skin will be in excellent healthy condition.

Barley has a positive effect on the work of the gastrointestinal tract, brain activity. It is prescribed in diets for ulcers and those who suffer from colitis, pancreatitis, or simply want to lose weight.

In addition, barley porridge is able to influence the purification of the blood, envelop the gastric mucosa, has a diuretic effect, lowers bad cholesterol and increases the necessary hemoglobin, slows down the aging process. It is recommended to be introduced into the menu for people suffering from diseases of such significant organs as the liver, genitourinary system, gallbladder.

Silicic acid contained in barley groats is capable of naturally destroy sand and stones in the kidneys, gall bladder and bladder. With problems of this nature, it is advised not to use cereals, but decoctions.

But the presence of hordecin gives the cereal an antifungal and antibacterial effect.

Experts argue about barley properties such as reducing the body's susceptibility to adverse external factors accompanied by allergies.

For men

Men will be interested to know that the presence great content phosphorus in the croup affects the intensity and speed of muscle contraction. Therefore, it should be in the diet of those people who lead an active lifestyle, visit GYM's, goes in for sports, bodybuilding.

For women

Perhaps the main thing that barley is useful for women is the presence of lysine in it. After all, it is he who forms collagen - a substance that is responsible for the condition of the skin and the youth of the body.

And, of course, this porridge should be used by those who follow their figure and worry about having extra pounds. Barley is able to remove the feeling of hunger for a long time and at the same time not be deposited with fat in problem areas on the body, besides clean the intestines. Often barley porridge can be found as part of unloading and therapeutic diets, and also it is part of a variety of face masks.

For kids

Availability in children's menu barley porridge will provide the growing body with the required vitamins and minerals. Children who regularly use it have strong immunity, are easier and less likely to tolerate colds, active and energetic.

Porridge, due to the presence of phosphorus, has a great effect on the condition of bones, brain activity and the functioning of the endocrine system. The fiber that enters children's body with pearl barley, will allow the gastrointestinal tract to function normally.

As we have already indicated, in cooking, barley groats are used in cereals, soups and fillings.

Barley porridge is not very popular and is not included in the menu of ordinary families as often as, for example, other porridges. This is most likely due to the fact that it takes much longer to cook, and many do not even know how to properly carry out this process. Therefore, it comes out of them slimy, hard and, as a result, tasteless.

If you are also unable to achieve a good-tasting barley, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the recommendations on how to cook it.

So there are two ways: on the stove and in the slow cooker. Let's consider both.

On the stove. The secret to making delicious and crumbly porridge is to thoroughly rinse it. Pour and drain the water several times so that the cereal is cleared of gray plaque. Next, three glasses of cold water should be poured into the cereal, placed on the stove and boiled. After that, boil for another six to seven minutes and put it in a colander, let it drain well. In the meantime, pour two glasses of water into the pan and wait until it boils, then pour in the semi-cooked cereals. Salt, put a small amount of butter (vegetable) oil. The duration of cooking is 30-40 minutes. From time to time it is necessary to mix the porridge.

Important! In order for the porridge to become especially tender, and the cooking process to go faster, it is advised to hold it in water for 12 hours or over steam for 20 minutes before cooking.

In a multicooker. Place one glass of washed cereal in a multicooker bowl. Pour 2.5-3 glasses of water. Cook by setting the timer for 1.5 hours and the "Extinguishing" mode. Add liquid as needed.

You can cook such porridge not only with water, but also with milk and meat broth. It goes well with mushrooms. It will become especially unusual in taste when greens, herbal spices, are added to it.

It pairs well with meat dishes, fish, salads, fresh and

The benefits and harms of pearl barley are not the subject heated discussions. Most of us are cool to say the least about this product and see it more as part of a diet food. But few people know how much really valuable is hidden in this cereal.

Good nutrition is the key to beauty and health. To maintain a radiant look: strong bones and teeth, shiny hair, tightened skin and a cheerful spirit, it is necessary to consume a huge amount daily useful elements.

Pearl barley is complete product containing many necessary female body substances.

It satisfies part of the need for B vitamins, which are needed for normal hematopoiesis and regular renewal of epidermal cells.

The condition of the skin, digestive organs and nervous system depend on the timely intake of nicotinic acid. Only 100 grams of pearl barley provide this need by 18%.

Pearl barley contains the necessary phosphorus, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum and chromium. Minerals strengthen bones and teeth. Their presence provides normal work nervous system and heart. Trace elements are responsible for the functioning of the reproductive system, the production of sex hormones and normal fat metabolism.

Pearl barley contains most of the necessary fatty acids. It is a complete source of nutrition, therefore it often serves as the basis for a mono-diet. On a diet of pearl barley, the body is least of all deficient in any substances.

Regular use of pearl barley promotes cleansing. Among grains, pearl barley is the leader in fiber content. Plant fibers not only remove all excess from the intestines, but also create favorable conditions for the development of beneficial bacteria.

AT traditional medicine an infusion of barley is used as a remedy for tightness in the chest. A decoction of the cereal itself is considered a strong milk extractor. It is useful to drink it after childbirth to establish lactation.

Benefits and harms during pregnancy

What is the benefit of barley for pregnant women? Women in the position it can be used as vitamin supplement. Despite the not very pleasant taste, pearl barley is one of the richest in terms of the content of trace elements and amino acids. It has everything you need for normal development fruit trace elements, vitamins and fatty acids.

Concerns about the inclusion of pearl barley in the menu can only be associated with a high content in it. vegetable protein– gluten. True intolerance to this substance occurs in no more than 1% of the world's population. If a pregnant woman is not one of these persons, then barley dishes will not pose any danger to her.

Attitude towards gluten in the world this moment not clear. Some scientists believe that eating this vegetable protein increases the likelihood of developing joint and heart diseases in the future. Others, on the contrary, note that against the background of the exclusion of gluten from the diet, immunity decreases and the balance of the intestinal flora is disturbed.

Application for weight loss

Perlovka - perfect product for weight loss. It contains a minimum of fats and easily digestible sugars.

The splitting of one polysaccharide molecule requires more energy than is released after its decomposition.

Barley diet promotes rapid and effective reduction weight. Its advantage is that it does not deprive the body of the main useful elements. On a pearl barley diet, you can easily get rid of a few kilograms without sacrificing the beauty of the skin and the strength of the bones.

Barley diet

There are two ways to lose weight with pearl barley. The first one is very difficult. This is a mono diet. It must be observed within 5-7 days. There is only barley porridge without salt, butter, sugar and any seasonings.

Boiled cereals should be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evening, it is soaked in cold water. In the morning, drain, add water again and boil for half an hour.

Boiled barley replaces the entire diet. In addition to it, you can drink weak green tea and clean water.

The drinking regime must be observed. Drink at least 2 liters of water per day. The liquid, together with fiber, cleanses the intestines from accumulated decay products. Helps to remove toxins and normalize metabolism.

Maintaining such a diet is not easy. But the effort will definitely pay off. good results. With the help of a mono-diet, you can correct the figure, get rid of the stomach and “ears” on the hips, say goodbye to swelling and tighten the oval of the face.

A less strict diet allows the menu to include unsweetened fruits, lean meats and fish (chicken, beef, cod), low fat dairy products, vegetables, nuts, eggs. Meat and other ingredients must be boiled, baked or steamed, without the use of oil and salt. Allows seasoning food with spices and balsamic vinegar.

You can drink water and green tea. Be sure to consume at least 2 liters of fluid per day.

Allowed fruits such as apples, grapefruits, kiwi. From more sugary: strawberries, peaches and melons should refrain. It is necessary to completely eliminate salt, sugar and any confectionery. It is allowed to eat a small piece of dark chocolate once a day.

The barley diet menu might look like this:

• breakfast - skim cheese and a handful of prunes;
• afternoon snack - banana and 5 walnuts;
• lunch - barley porridge, 100 grams of steamed fish, vegetable salad: cabbage, cucumber, carrot;
• dinner - barley porridge with an apple and a glass of fat-free kefir.

achieve maximum effect on a pearl barley diet it is possible in 7-10 days. However, nutritionists do not see anything reprehensible in observing it for longer.

Unloading day on pearl barley

Unloading day is the mildest version of the diet. It was invented just in order to instantly get rid of everything superfluous, quickly cleanse the body. Give him a little break so he can get back to full-fledged work.

Unloading days on pearl barley are arranged no more than 1-2 times a month. At this time, only boiled cereals are eaten without spices, salt and oil. Food should only satisfy hunger. Don't go overboard with quantity. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to drink barley decoction.

Barley is best soaked overnight in cold water, and cooked in the morning. So that some of the substances are not lost along with the broth, the cereal can be baked. To do this, it must be filled with water in a ratio of 1: 3 and placed directly in a heat-resistant pan in the oven. At 160˚С, the porridge will languish for about an hour and a half. It will turn out very crumbly. It can be served as a great side dish for lean stews and fresh vegetables.

Contraindications

There are no strict contraindications to the use of pearl barley dishes. In rare cases, this product may cause an allergic reaction. Worldwide, only one person in a hundred suffers from gluten intolerance. These people are forced to special diet and refuse cereals containing contraindicated protein.

Barley stimulates digestion by irritating the chemoreceptors of the digestive tract. Therefore, it should not be abused by people suffering from high acidity of the stomach. Also due to high content fiber against the background of problems with intestinal motility, barley porridge can cause gas formation and constipation.

Barley groats are definitely needed by the female body. Cereals preserve youth and beauty. They keep fit reproductive system. Slow carbs and fiber cleanse the body and help to correct the figure.

Greetings to all my readers! Men who served in the military Soviet times, this cereal, or rather porridge from it, was simply hated and called it tarpaulin. Because pearl barley was almost every day in their diet. Due to its unpopularity, in 2011 it was decided to change diet military personnel and use pearl barley only as an addition to first courses. Although still cheap barley is one of the products of the diet in prisons. Or maybe it was not in vain that the soldiers were given this porridge then? Let's figure out what is the use, and maybe harm, of this cereal.

Pearl barley is produced from barley, cereal plant, the same as wheat or oats. Depending on the processing method, barley is made from barley or barley groats. How do they differ from each other?

• Pearl barley- this is whole grain which has only passed primary processing and from which only the shell and awn (bran) are removed, then the grain itself is polished. And they call it so grain because in color and shape it looks like freshwater pearls, and pearls in the common people have always been called pearls, hence the name - pearl barley.
• Barley grits obtained as a result of further processing of barley - it is not polished, but simply finely ground.

Pearl barley benefit and harm

Despite the fact that pearl barley is a relatively cheap cereal, it still does not enjoy great popularity among housewives. And yet in vain. Barley is a traditional Russian product for making soups and porridges. They say that barley porridge was the favorite of Peter I, and many restaurants still include barley porridge and side dishes in their menu.

Studies conducted by Japanese scientists have confirmed that barley is one of the most valuable natural sources nutrients, vital necessary for the body human for growth and health.

The value of pearl barley lies in its diverse effect on the human body. And all because it is a rich source of 12 essential and 8 non-essential amino acids, fatty acids, including Omega-3 and Omega-6, digestible carbohydrates, fiber.

Groats are rich in B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9) and vitamins PP, E, provitamin A, numerous minerals and trace elements.

Such a rich composition also determines useful properties, and there are also many of them.

• Fiber works like a panicle, it cleans the intestines from toxins and fecal blockages in the intestines, helps to cope with constipation.
• The mucus in the broth, obtained in the process of cooking cereals, removes inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity, so surgeons recommend using barley decoction after such operations.
• The polysaccharide b-glucan is useful for lowering blood cholesterol. If you often include soups or cereals with barley in your diet, then you can gradually lower your cholesterol levels to normal levels.
• Provitamin A - retinol increases protective functions respiratory tract from the effects of viruses and microbes and increases the overall immunity of the body.
• Vitamin B6 also helps maintain immunity, normalizes the processes of inhibition and excitation in the central nervous system, proper formation blood composition. Its deficiency adversely affects the condition skin contributes to the development of anemia and loss of appetite.
• Manganese is involved in the development of bone and connective tissue, improves carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, is part of the enzymes necessary for the synthesis of cholesterol.
• The silicic acid contained in pearl barley acts destructively on the conglomerates formed in the kidneys, gall bladder and bladder.
• Chromium regulates blood glucose levels, thereby enhancing the action of insulin and leading to normal glycemic index after eating pearl barley.

And that's not all medicinal properties pearl barley, since each element in the composition plays a certain useful role for the health of the body.

Boiled barley - calories

The energy composition of 100 g of the product looks like this:

• proteins - 9.3 g, 12% of total and 37 kcal,
• fats - 1.1 g, 3% of the total and 10 kcal,
• carbohydrates - 66.9 g, 85% of the total and 268 kcal.

Of course, we are interested to know what is the calorie content of boiled cereals? It is relatively large - for 100 g of boiled cereals it is 315 kcal. But hardly anyone would prefer to eat it in pure form. If this is porridge, then you will add milk and butter to it, even if you use butter or other fat as a side dish, then the calorie content of the final product will be higher.

The benefits of pearl barley for weight loss

Why barley is useful for weight loss, because the calorie content of dishes with it is relatively high in calories? However, pearl barley, when eaten regularly, will help you lose weight. overweight. Why is this happening? The effect of weight loss is achieved due to the action of the amino acid lysine and fiber on the body.

1. Firstly, the lysine contained in the cereal causes a feeling of satiety and it remains quite long time, then hunger will not torment you for a long time.
2. A properly prepared dish will help remove excess toxins from the body and cleanse the intestines of blockages, and this is minus extra pounds.
3. Fiber will contribute to the timely emptying of the intestines.
4. Barley, from which cereals are made, in folk medicine has a diuretic property.

Having lost extra pounds, lysine promotes the production of collagen and ensures the elasticity of the skin after weight loss.

To whom barley dishes are harmful

Despite great benefit, and barley has contraindications. The use of barley can be harmful to health when there is gastritis with high acidity. It is not recommended to eat a lot of dishes with pearl barley for pregnant women, as this leads to increased gas formation.

It's important to know that frequent use barley can lead to indigestion and cause constipation. But if you are absolutely healthy, nutritionists recommend eating barley dishes in moderation, but regularly.

How to choose pearl barley

In stores, pearl barley is sold both by weight and in ready-made packaged packages.

When buying, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• groats should be a beautiful golden brown hue, without various impurities and inclusions;
• grains should not be glued together - glued grains indicate improper storage;
• when buying cereals by weight, smell it, the smell should be pleasant, fresh, there should not be a rancid smell.

The shelf life of packaged cereals should be no more than two years, if you bought bulk cereals, then its shelf life is not more than 3 months, so do not buy a large amount of cereals for future use.

How to cook pearl barley

Once I thought that nothing tasty could be cooked from pearl barley. But how wrong I was! It turns out that in order to make dishes with pearl barley delicious, you need to know a few secrets.

I have already told you that first of all you need to buy good cereals. And before you start cooking it, sort out the cereal and remove all impurities from it. From rancid and old cereals delicious dish it won't work, that's for sure!

Then be sure to prepare the cereal for cooking. You can do it in two ways.

Take the sorted cereal and fill it with water room temperature so that it completely covers it and leave it overnight. Drain the water in the morning and rinse again before cooking.

Or do as I often do. Pour the sorted and washed cereals with water and put on fire and let it boil for about 20 minutes. Then pour off the decoction. If you do not drain the first water, then the dish will turn out to be gray-blue and outwardly ugly.

If you boil barley for the first course, drain the water from the broth and add the cereal to the broth. If you cook porridge, then add boiled cereals to milk. If your cereal is intended for a side dish, then it should be poured again clean water and cook until done.

In order for barley to boil well, it should also be cooked over low heat for 40-60 minutes. And porridge is best cooked in clay pots in the oven with the addition of oil or fat.

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