Include Sorghum in Your Self-Care Routine

Include Sorghum in Your Self-Care Routine

Self-care. It’s a buzzword that is everywhere these days. It means doing something that helps take care of yourself both mentally and physically. It could be taking a long walk, reading a good book or even enjoying a nice meal.?

With anxiety and stress at an all-time high for many, it’s important to remember that what you eat impacts not just your physical health, but your mental health, as well.? In fact, the key to boosting your self-care game could be as close as your kitchen.??

Sorghum is a delicious addition to any meal or snack and its robust nutrient package can promote your physical and mental health. A serving of whole grain sorghum is an excellent source of 12 essential nutrients and a natural source of antioxidants, which may help to lower your risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and some neurological diseases.

As a Registered Dietitian, I love sharing how multifaceted foods are and all that they can do for our bodies. One of the amazing attributes of the nutrients in food is their ability to affect our mental health. For example, research has shown eating a diet rich in magnesium is associated with a decreased risk of depression. In fact, just one serving of whole grain sorghum provides more than 50 percent of the magnesium recommended each day.?

Tryptophan is often known as the culprit for post-Thanksgiving sleepiness, but it does much more. Cooked whole grain sorghum is a source of tryptophan, an amino acid that research has shown may be an effective approach to decrease anxiety and increase positive mood in healthy individuals.?

Have you ever found yourself reaching for a bag of chips when you are stressed so that you can enjoy the satisfying crunch? You’re not alone. People are drawn to foods with distinct textures, such as crunchy or chewy, to relieve stress. Sorghum comes in a variety of forms, so you can enjoy crunchy popped, chewy whole grain or comforting flour in a baked treat—all while knowing that it is promoting your physical and mental health.?

Share with us how you include sorghum in your self-care routine @SorghumCheckoff on social media. To find out more about sorghum’s benefits and check out our delicious recipes, visit us at SorghumCheckoff.com.