Today’s CRAVING & #AfricanSuperfood #throwback needs little to no introduction for many: TEFF.
If you love #injera as much as I do, and you only want that good “gluten-free” kind, then you are getting the amazing nutrition that teff provides. I’ve posted a video about Teff on IGTV & in a post in the past, but it’s too powerful of a superfood to leave out of this series.
Injera is a sour dough-risen flatbread with a slightly spongy texture that is light brown in color and a staple in Ethiopian or Eritrean cuisine. Injera can be prepared using a variety of flours but most commonly used is teff, which is a tiny super grain that has serious super powers. Genetic evidence has shown that teff was one of the earliest plants domesticated and may have originated in Ethiopia and Eritrea between 4000 BC and 1000 BC.
Injera is a rich source of various essential nutrients including fiber, protein, and vitamins. It contains a high amount of protein including all 8 essential amino acids, high amounts of vitamins A, C, K, many of the B vitamins, and a wide range of minerals including high amounts of iron and calcium, along with potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. Injera made from pure teff is gluten-free, making it suitable for consumption for those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance. In 1996, the United States National Research Council characterized teff as having the “potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable land care”.
One serving of Injera has nutrients that boost circulation, maintain electrolyte imbalance, aid with blood coagulation, and maintain healthy eyesight. Teff contains 20-40% resistant starch which feeds the good bacteria in your gut, and is low on the glycemic index so it won’t leave you with an energy hangover, which helps to maintain balanced blood sugar levels. The antioxidant content in Injera acts to protect the cells from free radical damage, and decrease the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Alongside powerhouse grains such as quinoa and spelt, teff stacks up as a legit superfood that is low in fat, sodium, high in fiber, and contains a robust nutrient profile! -XO