Barley

Lunch: Barley "Pasta" Salad Recipe | MyRecipes

The flavor and texture of barley are similar to that of pasta, so we combined it with the typical pasta salad ingredients.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Barley, Lemon, Spinach

Health and fertility benefits of Barley "Pasta" Salad Recipe | MyRecipes

Barley is about the best grain a woman with PCOS can eat. It is low in calories and has the lowest GI of all grains. Low-GI grains such as barley take much longer to digest and create a slow, steady rise in blood glucose and insulin levels. As mentioned before on Fertility Chef, low-GI foods reduce cravings. If possible, try and find hulled barley as it is the most nutrient dense of all types of barley. Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Fresh spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, all of which have significant roles in reducing inflammation in the body, all of which help in the case of infertility.

Ingredients

2 cups water
1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups finely chopped seeded tomato
1 cup thinly sliced spinach
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
1/2 cup (2 ounces) diced part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped pepperoncini peppers
2 teaspoons dry oregano

Instructions

Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add barley; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain.
Combine the juice, oil, and salt in large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Add barley, tomato, and remaining ingredients; toss gently to coat.