You already know that whole grains are beneficial for staying healthy and for helping to keep you satisfied on your weight loss journey, but if you’re always eating the same ones you could easily end up getting bored with them. Your best bet is to switch up your grains every once in a while and try something new. Barley is an often overlooked but versatile and delicious grain that is a particularly rich source of dietary fiber and B vitamins if you buy the hulled variety.

Buying Barley
The two most common types of barley are refined pearl barley and unrefined hulled barley. As with refined flour, pearl barley loses its outer hull and bran layer when milled, exposing the pearl-colored balls that give "pearl barley" its name. Unfortunately, this process also removes much of the grain's nutritional content. "Hulled" barley, on the other hand, has only the outer hull removed and therefore still has its nutritious bran layer intact, making it an excellent source of dietary fiber. It's also rich in iron and thiamin, as well as some essential trace minerals. While pearl barley is readily available at most grocery stores, you may have to look in health-food or specialty-food stores to locate the more nutritious hulled barley. Scotch barley, also known as pot barley, is also available in many supermarkets; it too is a less refined version than pearl, with part of the bran layer remaining after milling.

Storing Barley
Barley should be stored in an airtight container to keep it dry. It can be refrigerated or frozen for up to six months. When buying barley in bulk, it should have a fresh smell.

Preparing Barley
Barley can be added to soups, stews, salads, and even baked goods. It's cooked much like rice; cooking times will vary according to the variety. Hulled barley requires about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to cook in boiling water. For best results, follow the instructions on the package.

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