The ancient Incan grain Quiona has recently made it’s way into the US and is rapidly gaining popularity. As we start to check out the nutritional facts of quinoa, you will see that this is a excellent thing. As a side note, you may be interested to know that the Inca called Quinoa the “Mother Grain”. That’s not surprising since it sustained them for over 5000 years.
This grain is a complete protein which is one of the reasons why it has been used for such a long time. This means that it has all the amino acids we require; including one named lysine. In fact, quinoa has quite a bit of this necessary amino acid. Amino acids are required by your body to create proteins that are then used in repairing and building muscle fibers. In our current diet, we get nearly all of our protein from animal products. Part of the reason why is because there are only a few vegetarian foods out there that include all the amino acids our bodies need. This is exactly why quinoa is deemed a super food and is also often called the mother grain.
But it doesn’t stop there, this ancient grain just happens to be low in cholesterol and sodium while supplying a good amount of dietary fiber. It also has plenty of Iron, Magnesium, Phosperous, Manganese, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E and Niacine. Since it is so full of nutrients it is without a doubt a grain you should try. It comes to no-ones surprise that it is now labeled as a super food.
Quinoa is ideal when you are trying to shed extra pounds since both the fiber and protein in it will keep you full while you are eating a low-calorie dish. Try having it instead of high-carb foods like pasta and white rice. Not only is it much healthier, it also won’t impact your blood sugar levels as much which helps keep down cravings later.
It also happens to be a gluten-free food and lends itself to a lot of healthy dishes like quinoa breads, puddings, breakfast cereal and various side dishes that taste a lot like pilafs or risottos. It’s also delicious on salads and gives a plain old plate of lettuce and vegetables some extra texture and flavor.
Still not convinced this is worth a try? Let’s see what you can expect to gain from it. Here’s why you should give quinoa a serious chance as a grain in your healthy eating plan It can help remove hazardous free radicals from your body through the antioxidants that can be found it it and is also good for your heart. Lignans can also be found in quinoa which are said to protect your heart from damage and keep it strong. To top it all off, it’s a whole grain which is the type of food we could all use more of in our diets. No wonder it is considered so healthy for you.
Do you want to give Quinoa a try? Take this easy quinoa muffins recipe as an example. Quinoa is also a gluten free grain, making it perfect for anyone living a gluten-free life style. As are these tasty gluten free oatmeal cookies you shouldn’t miss.
