Have you ever thought about how many brown foods there are in the world? There are a surprising number of naturally brown foods. We want to try them all!
We gathered all the best brown foods possible, from brown mushrooms to ginger, and brought them to you. A little secret- many of the brown foods are also super healthy!
Are you excited to learn all about healthy brown food? We sure are!
Contents
Our Brown Food List
Take a look at all of the brown foods we found. Which will you try first??
1. Brown Rice
Brown rice is a grain of rice that still has its husk. It takes longer to cook, thanks to the harder shell, but because of this, it has numerous health benefits.
Brown rice is one of the healthiest brown foods on our list. It is rich in calcium, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Its health benefits may include preventing obesity and regulating cholesterol. The low number of calories in brown rice makes the food a great part of a healthy diet.
2. Brown Mushrooms
Mushrooms are an excellent brown food that is also quite healthy. Mushrooms are high in antioxidants and can protect the body from free radicals. They may even strengthen the immune system.
Mushrooms also have lots of B vitamins which are beneficial for the heart and red blood cells. Sounds like a food you need to add to your diet ASAP!
There are many different types of brown mushrooms, from shiitake to porcini. Each one will have its own unique, earthy flavor.
3. Whole Grain Bread
Whole grain bread is made of wheat that still has the germ and bran attached to the kernel. It is much higher in antioxidants and phytochemicals than regular bread.
Whole grain bread is higher in fiber, B vitamins, and other minerals when compared to white bread. It has many health benefits, which make it a super healthy brown food!
4. Almonds
Almonds are a type of nut grown on a tree that is native to Iran. Light brown nuts are one of the most popular nuts in the world.
Almonds are very high in Vitamin E, packed with antioxidants, and can even help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
5. Soy Butter
Soy butter is a nutrient-rich oil that can be used in place of peanut butter. It has the same texture as peanut butter and a slightly nutty taste, but it actually contains no nuts at all.
It is the perfect peanut butter substitute for anyone with a nut allergy.
6. Baked Beans
Baked beans are a classic side dish that is made with white beans. The beans are slow-cooked with molasses, bacon, brown sugar, and herbs.
The beans become sweet as they cook and also turn a deep brown color.
7. Coffee
Coffee may be one of the best brown foods we can think of! It is a food enjoyed around the world and comes in so many different varieties.
Roasted coffee beans are a very deep, dark brown color. The ground beans are brewed with hot water to make a potent, caffeine-filled drink.
8. Milk Chocolate
Most chocolate is a dark brown color, but milk chocolate is a silky, light brown that we love.
Milk chocolate is made with cocoa, sugar, and milk. It is not as strong as dark chocolate but has a creamier taste. It is a brown food almost everyone has tried at least once or twice!
9. Pecans
Pecans are smooth brown nuts with an edible kernel similar to walnuts. They are tree nuts and loaded with many nutrients.
Eating pecans may help improve the digestive system, boost immunity and even reduce the risk of certain cancers. The little brown nuts may also have many anti-inflammatory benefits and help with weight loss by reducing appetite.
10. Pumpernickel Bread
Pumpernickel bread is a deep, dark brown bread that we had to include on our list of brown foods. It is a heavy, sweet rye bread made with rye flour and caraway seeds.
This German bread has been around since the 1450s and is still loved today! Hurray for brown food!
11. Caramel Corn
Caramel corn is one of the most delicious brown foods on our list. It is made by mixing brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt in a saucepan and bringing it to a boil.
The caramel is boiled until thick and then poured over popcorn, giving the soft, salty kernels a sugary coating. This is one brown food you definitely want to eat!
12. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is made from a black maple tree, sugar maple, or red maple tree sap. The trees store sap in their trunk all winter, where the starch is converted to sugar, making it extra sweet and rich.
Maple sugar is considered to be a healthier sugar. It does have antioxidants and minerals like zinc and potassium, but it is still just as sweet and full of carbs as regular table sugar.
13. Molasses
Molasses is a thick, brown syrup that is made from raw sugar. Depending on how long it is boiled, molasses can range from light tan to a very deep brown.
Molasses have a decent amount of potassium, which may promote a healthy blood pressure and maintain overall heart health.
14. Brownies
This sweet, chewy cake-like dessert is so brown that it has the word brown in its name!
Brownies are a small square of rich chocolate cake that often has a fudgy texture. They can contain nuts, be covered in frosting, or just made with pure, delicious chocolate.
15. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a creamy, thick paste made by grinding peanuts. The oils in the nuts come out as the nuts are mashed, making the mix silky smooth.
Peanuts are rich in protein and also have beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. They have a low glycemic index and may help regulate insulin levels. A spoonful of this tasty brown food in the morning may reduce blood sugar spikes throughout the day.
16. Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are a holiday favorite. They are sweet, spicy, and completely brown!
Gingerbread cookies are brown, thanks to all the cinnamon and ginger used in the cookies. All the spices turn the cookies into a rich brown color and add lots of amazing flavors.
17. Dates
Dates are a small, brown fruit that grows on the Phoenix palm tree. They are often dried and ground to make date sugar but can be eaten fresh.
Dates are full of vitamins and minerals. They are quite high in magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc. They make a very nutritious snack, especially when eaten in small amounts- they are still pretty high in carbohydrates!
18. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a sweet, brown-colored spice used in lots of baking recipes. It adds a subtle heat to foods while still being mild enough for baked goods.
Cinnamon has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels and even lessen the risk of heart disease. This is thanks to the high levels of antioxidants in cinnamon.
19. Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are a round, brown nut that grows on the hazel tree. The nuts are a deep brown on the outside, but the edible inner part is a light tan color.
Regular consumption of hazelnuts can add lots of nutritional benefits to your diet. Hazelnuts are high in fiber and can help keep your intestinal tract clean and clear.
Hazelnuts have a high vitamin E content which is good for your skin and hair. You may even protect your heart by eating hazelnuts, thanks to the magnesium and arginine in the little nuts.
They are definitely more powerful than some of the other brown foods on our list!
20. Chocolate Cake
Chocolate cakes are one of the tastiest brown foods ever. It’s made with cocoa powder, turning the cake a rich brown color.
No matter your chocolate cake recipe, this is one food on our list that you definitely want to eat!
21. Almond Butter
Ground almonds are all you need to make almond butter. A large amount of oil comes out of the dry nuts as they are mashed, creating a thick paste similar in texture and color to peanut butter.
Almond butter is rich in healthy fat and even contains trace amounts of calcium. Try grinding almonds together with walnuts to get an even healthier butter.
22. Whole Wheat Pasta
Most pasta is made with semolina flour which has a yellowish tint. Whole wheat pasta is made with whole-grain flour, which gives it a brown color.
Whole wheat flour is less processed than regular flour. This means it has more natural nutrients and health benefits. Try to use whole wheat pasta for all your pasta recipes and dishes to make sure you eat healthily!
23. Lentils
Lentils are small legumes that contain a high amount of vegetable protein. In fact, they have the third-highest protein content of any vegetables in the world!
One cup of cooked lentils can provide almost 90% of your daily recommended folate intake as well. They are a low-calorie brown food with a super big, positive health impact.
24. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a small, hard seed that grows on an evergreen tree. It is typically ground and used as a spice to flavor food and beverages.
Nutmeg is a good source of antioxidants and is very low in calories. A little nutmeg may also boost your mood and libido and improve blood sugar levels.
25. Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a very popular brown food that we had to include on our list. Most fried chicken is made by dipping chicken into a milk and flour batter and then deep-frying.
Lower the fat content of fried chicken by roasting it in the oven. Chicken is a good source of protein and a brown food you should serve often!
Incredible Brown Foods
It is amazing how many brown foods there are to try and also how healthy many of them are. You can get a lot of essential nutrients from brown foods, so start cooking some up today! We know there are quite a few on this list that you will love.
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