Tis The Season For Wheat Germ! Home Cooks Deck The Holiday Table With The Versatile, Nutritious Ingredient

TUKWILA, Wash., Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For most, the holidays are a time to indulge. In fact the average holiday meal contains approximately 3,000 – 4,500 calories depending on portion size and ingredients. This Thanksgiving and holiday season, however, cooks can add a hint of health to festive favorites like stuffing, pies and more with a secret ingredient that adds nutrients without compromising flavor—Kretschmer Wheat Germ.

An original superfood, wheat germ has a subtle flavor and crunchy texture that makes it an easy substitution for ingredients like bread crumbs, flour and nuts in holiday recipes. The nutritional hub of the wheat kernel which is removed during the refining of whole grains to white flour, wheat germ is an excellent source of nutrients including vitamin E, B vitamins, and folic acid, and has been shown to help with everything from muscle function to mood to digestive health.

"Kicking off with Thanksgiving and rolling into New Year's celebrations, the holidays are a notoriously tough time to maintain a sensible diet. Making small steps, like simply adding wheat germ to traditional recipes can be a really simple fix," says Elizabeth Fassberg, RD, a member of the Kretschmer Health and Wellness Advisory Team. "Wheat germ is such a great addition to seasonal recipes as it has minimal effect on flavor, adds a really nice texture and also amps up nutrients and can reduce recipe calorie counts when substituted for less nutrient rich ingredients like bread crumbs or flour."

For cooks seeking easy ways to dial up health in holiday meals, Kretschmer offers a number of resources on its website, www.mywheatgerm.com. A helpful substitution guide shows how to incorporate wheat germ into existing recipe favorites. For those needing inspiration, Kretschmer has every part of the holiday meal covered from breakfast to dessert, even leftovers. With recipes like Pumpkin Waffles with Wheat Germ, Whole Wheat Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls, Turkey Pot Pie with Wheat Germ Crust, Prosciutto, Fig and Wheat Germ Stuffing, and Apple Turnovers with Wheat Germ, Kretschmer offers something for every occasion.

Kretschmer Wheat Germ comes in two varieties, Original Toasted and Honey Crunch, and is available for purchase in the cereal aisle at major grocers nationwide. For more details about Kretschmer Wheat Germ, visit www.mywheatgerm.com.

About Kretschmer Wheat Germ
An original superfood since 1936, Kretschmer Wheat Germ offers a satisfying and nutrient-dense addition to your favorite recipes. Produced in Manhattan, Kansas, Kretschmer Wheat Germ comes in two varieties, Kretschmer Original Toasted Wheat Germ and Kretschmer Honey Crunch Wheat Germ, and also offers a line of wheat bran, Kretschmer Toasted Wheat Bran. Kretschmer Wheat Germ is available in the cereal aisle of grocery stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. Visit Mywheatgerm.com and on social media on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/MyWheatGerm, Twitter, www.Twitter.com/MyWheatGerm and Pinterest, www.Pinterest.com/MyWheatGerm.

About Continental Mills
Continental Mills, Inc. is a privately held manufacturer and marketer of baking and beverage mixes, snacks and other high quality food products. Located in Tukwila, WA, the family-owned company has strong branded products sold under its Krusteaz®, WildRoots®, Kretschmer® Wheat Germ and Alpine® Cider brands as well as several licensed brands.  Continental Mills' products are sold through retail, foodservice, and club store channels throughout the United States.  

SOURCE Kretschmer Wheat Germ