Why Unrefined Foods?

Did you know that almost 70% of the calories kids consume come from ultra-processed foods? As a parent of three kids three and under hustling to get my kids out the door in the morning, this stat was shocking but not surprising when I first heard it.

I am so grateful to the food system that keeps innovating to provide options for time-starved parents. Yet in the existing solutions I had for those six snacks and three lunches we needed to pack each day, I was also finding a lot of added sweeteners, preservatives, and ultra-processed ingredients.

At the same time, I've always been a baker. In fact, it's the only hobby I've consistently been doing for almost thirty years. I started to prioritize baking on the weekends as a way to meal-prep healthy snacks for my kids, and then started milling wheat in our home kitchen (why not?) and then adding in as many seasonal fresh fruits and veggies as I could think.

And that was the start of Unrefined Foods Co! Our goal is to provide you with  a better option: convenient, minimally processed snacks to nourish your busy body.

So why unrefined products? And why freshly milled flour? Shelf-stable flour doesn't happen by accident. The flour you see on the grocery shelf or the "enriched wheat flour" at the top of many ingredients lists undergoes extensive processing to achieve shelf stability. In doing this, manufacturers remove many of the essential nutrients that make wheat a super food. Then, in an attempt to compensate for this loss, the final product is often augmented with artificially sourced vitamins and minerals. Flour, derived from wheat, can be a highly processed ingredient.

Freshly milled whole wheat flour is a compelling alternative to these refined products. Unlike ultra-processed options, whole wheat flour retains all the components of the wheat berry, which has been a staple in human diets for tens of thousands of years. The wheat berry consists of three primary parts: the bran, the germ, and the endosperm. Each of these components contributes significantly to the overall nutritional profile of whole wheat.

The bran, which is the outer layer of the wheat berry, is rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, and B vitamins. Approximately 14% of the total weight of the wheat berry is attributed to the bran, making it a crucial source of fiber that aids in digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Studies indicate that diets high in fiber can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The germ, constituting about 2.5% of the wheat berry, is the reproductive part of the seed that can sprout into a new plant. It is packed with essential nutrients, including vitamin E, healthy fats, and various B vitamins such as folate. Vitamin E is known for its antioxidant properties, which help combat oxidative stress in the body. The presence of healthy fats in the germ also contributes to overall heart health.

The endosperm - the only part used in white flour - makes up the majority of the wheat berry at approximately 83.5%, serves as the energy source for the developing plant. While it primarily consists of carbohydrates, it also contains some protein and small amounts of vitamins and minerals. However, it is important to note that the endosperm lacks the fiber and many nutrients found in the bran and germ, which is why consuming whole wheat products is essential for a balanced diet. And this is the main reason that white bread products need to be fortified with vitamins and minerals, that are already present in freshly milled whole wheat flour.

The nutritional advantages of freshly ground whole wheat flour lie in its comprehensive retention of the wheat berry's original components. By choosing whole grains over ultra-processed alternatives, you can benefit from a diet rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health. 

Thanks for nerding out with us and, as always, don't hesitate to reach out with any thoughts or questions!