Quinoa Nutrition

Adding quinoa nutrition to your diet is easy to do and will provide you with a healthy lifestyle.What is quinoa? It is a small seed that is often confused as a grain because it is so similar. It originates from the Andes region of South America and was once the main staple for the Inca empire until the Spanish arrived. Quinoa is regularly referred to as a super food due to its nutritious nature. The following 5 reasons will explain exactly why you should add quinoa nutrition to your diet.

Quinoa Is Easy To Cook

One of the great things about quinoa is that it is simple to cook. So often people never experience new foods because they simply don't know how or are unable to cook. When you cook quinoa all you need to do is add one part quinoa to two parts water. Bring it to a boil and once it starts boiling rapidly simply turn the heat down to medium low and cover the pot with a lid. Let it cook for 15 minutes until all of the water has been absorbed.

Quinoa Is Packed With Protein

Quinoa is very high in protein, in fact one cup of quinoa contains more protein than an egg. Finding a source of protein that does not come from meat is very difficult for vegans and vegetarian. Quinoa makes a perfect solution for this problem. It provides you with complete protein that contains 9 essential amino acids which help you body recover and build tissue.

Quinoa Is Gluten Free

Gluten is a protein that is typically found in wheat, oats, and grains. Quinoa is not actually a grain and it contains no gluten in its original form. You do however need to be aware that there could be a risk to buying quinoa flour or quinoa flakes since it is normally processed in the same plants as other wheat products so there might be some cross contamination. If you do have allergies then quinoa in its raw form is a safe way to make your meals more nutritious.

Quinoa Is Also A Rich Source of Fiber and Complex Carbohydrates

Quinoa is also rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates so your body burns the calories at a more steady rate, providing you with more energy over longer periods of time. This is great for people that are dieting because it means that it will take longer for you to feel hungry again.

Quinoa Contains Manganese and Copper

Manganese and copper are two important minerals found in quinoa. These minerals together work as and antioxidant and help rid that body of free radicals which can eventually develop cancer and other diseases. 

There are many other health benefits that quinoa brings to the table. It is good for migraine headaches; it is a great food for people with type 2 diabetes; it has plenty of iron so it is perfect for pregnant women also. Cooking quinoa into your diet is a good idea no matter what your motives are. It will improve your nutrition and raise your quality of lifestyle.

Where to buy quinoa can be a bit of an issue if you don't know where to look. I remember back in 2008 when I first learned of quinoa, I was excited to try it out. I looked in all of the stores for it but I couldn't find it any where. I finally found it in a health food store. 

Today quinoa is actually grown in the United States also, so it has become more available in your local grocery store. I am usually able to find one or two quinoa products in most grocery stores. In the health food stores you will be able to find a larger selection of products made with quinoa. 

One of my favorite products is the quinoa flakes. I love eating them for breakfast with some agave sweetener and fresh berries. You can also purchase quinoa flour and quinoa pastas. 

There are many options out there for adding quinoa to your diet and they are becoming more readily available in local super markets. Just look in the rice and beans section of the store.