Quinoa is an ancient, South American grain that has recently become well-liked all over the United States. As we start to check out the nutritional facts of quinoa, you will note that this is a great thing. Here is a little historical tidbit for you. Quinoa was prized by the ancient Inca in Peu. Not only was it a staple of their diet for hundreds of years, it was also thought of as a sacred, god-like plant.
This grain is a complete protein which is one of the reasons why it has been used for such a period of time. Among other amino acids, quinoa also includes the essential lysine. Interestingly quinoa is full of this important nutrient. Our bodies need a variety of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins to create and preserve muscle mass. In our present diet, we get most of our protein from animal products. Only a small number of grains and some other plant based foods contain all the different types of protein blocks we need. This is exactly why quinoa is regarded as a super food and is also often called the mother grain.
Being low in cholesterol and sodium in addition to providing a lot of soluble fiber is another big reason why giving this old grain a try may be a great idea. Quinoa is also full of Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Niacine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosperous, and Manganese. All those nutrients make it a very nutritious wholegrain option that also actually is low-calorie. I am not shocked it made the “Super Food” list.
Since quinoa grain is rich in healthy fiber and protein and low in fat at the same time, it is a great food to incorporate into any kind of dieting program. It makes a fantastic pasta and rice substitute which is much better for you and won’t make your blood sugar levels spike up.
If you must stick to gluten free foods, quinoa is your best ally. You can make anything from breads and puddings to risotto-like side dishes and even breakfast cereal (similar to oatmeal) out of it. It’s also tasty on salads and gives a plain old plate of lettuce and vegetables some extra texture and flavor.
But why would you want to eat it? In other words, what types of health benefits can you expect to see from this superfood? It can strengthen your heart health and is a great source of antioxidants which may well prevent cancer. It also contains quite a big of lignans which help protect your heart. Add to that the fact that it is a whole grain; it isn’t surprising that it is considered quite healthy.
And now I would like to invite you to start cooking with quinoa. Take this easy quinoa muffins recipe as an example. Quinoa is also a gluten free grain, making it a good choice for anybody living a gluten-free diet and lifestyle. As are these yummy gluten free oatmeal cookies you don’t want to overlook.
