What is Quinoa?
As a side dish, Quinoa is commonly thought of as a grain, probably because of how we use it, however it’s actually a relative of leafy green vegetables, like spinach and Swiss chard. For those of you who are wondering, it’s pronounced “KEEN-wah“. Quinoa provides energy and nutrients that will help you keep going during the day, without a lot of calories so quinoa is a really great option if you’re trying to maintain an active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for a highly nutritious carbohydrate, that’s not only going to help you stay lean, but will also maximize your energy levels, look no further… quinoa really does have it all!
As a side dish, Quinoa is commonly thought of as a grain, probably because of how we use it, however it’s actually a relative of leafy green vegetables, like spinach and Swiss chard. For those of you who are wondering, it’s pronounced “KEEN-wah“. Quinoa provides energy and nutrients that will help you keep going during the day, without a lot of calories so quinoa is a really great option if you’re trying to maintain an active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for a highly nutritious carbohydrate, that’s not only going to help you stay lean, but will also maximize your energy levels, look no further… quinoa really does have it all!
So, what does quinoa taste like?
The taste and texture of quinoa is a bit like brown rice crossed with oatmeal. It’s fluffy, creamy, crunchy and somewhat nutty, all rolled into one.
Nutritional qualities
A cup of quinoa will give you around 127 calories, 2 grams of fat, 2 grams of fiber, 23.4 grams of, and 4.5 grams of protein.
In fact, it has a pretty similar nutritional profile to that of brown rice, except it’s slightly higher in overall protein content.
Health benefits of quinoa
1. Complete source of protein
Unlike most grains, which contain an incomplete source of protein (you need to pair them with another food to make the meal complete), quinoa provides the full spectrum of nine essential amino acids. Making it a really great choice, particularly if you’re a vegetarian or vegan.
2. Great for cardiovascular health
Quinoa is especially high in is magnesium, which helps blood vessels stay pliable, making it important for reducing hypertension and maintaining good cardiovascular health.
3. Provides antioxidant support
Quinoa does a wonderful job of boosting your antioxidant levels — being high in both manganese and copper, which help to promote a healthy immune system, and ensure that red blood cells remain in top condition.
4. Reduces the risk of gallstones
Since quinoa is high in fiber, it helps keep the digestive system running smoothly, and can also help reduce your chance of getting gallstones. A study, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, found that those eating foods mostly rich in insoluble fiber, had a 17% lower risk of getting gallstones.
So, if you love your carbs, but would really like to find a healthier option to plain old white pasta or rice, quinoa is a great substitute for those higher-carb foods.
Source: http://www.dietriffic.com/2010/06/24/what-is-quinoa/
The taste and texture of quinoa is a bit like brown rice crossed with oatmeal. It’s fluffy, creamy, crunchy and somewhat nutty, all rolled into one.
Nutritional qualities
A cup of quinoa will give you around 127 calories, 2 grams of fat, 2 grams of fiber, 23.4 grams of, and 4.5 grams of protein.
In fact, it has a pretty similar nutritional profile to that of brown rice, except it’s slightly higher in overall protein content.
Health benefits of quinoa
1. Complete source of protein
Unlike most grains, which contain an incomplete source of protein (you need to pair them with another food to make the meal complete), quinoa provides the full spectrum of nine essential amino acids. Making it a really great choice, particularly if you’re a vegetarian or vegan.
2. Great for cardiovascular health
Quinoa is especially high in is magnesium, which helps blood vessels stay pliable, making it important for reducing hypertension and maintaining good cardiovascular health.
3. Provides antioxidant support
Quinoa does a wonderful job of boosting your antioxidant levels — being high in both manganese and copper, which help to promote a healthy immune system, and ensure that red blood cells remain in top condition.
4. Reduces the risk of gallstones
Since quinoa is high in fiber, it helps keep the digestive system running smoothly, and can also help reduce your chance of getting gallstones. A study, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, found that those eating foods mostly rich in insoluble fiber, had a 17% lower risk of getting gallstones.
So, if you love your carbs, but would really like to find a healthier option to plain old white pasta or rice, quinoa is a great substitute for those higher-carb foods.
Source: http://www.dietriffic.com/2010/06/24/what-is-quinoa/
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