Break out of a quinoa rut and make your veggie dishes more filling by incorporating a flavorful Italian ancient grain: farro. Farro originally came from central Italy, says Craig Richards, executive chef at St. Cecilia restaurant in Buckhead.

Because farro is unrefined and high in fiber, it can help lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

“When you buy refined grains [white bread, white pasta, etc.], it strips a lot of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals from the grains,” Richards says. “If you have farro, which is a more unrefined grain, it’s going to be packed with all of those vitamins and minerals that are great for you.”

He recommends adding farro to salads to make them more filling and satiating, which is especially helpful if you are on a high-vegetable diet.

“Farro will help you feel fuller, but in a very healthy way,” he says.

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