Quinoa. Yep, that stuff.
Now- what the heck is it?
Quinoa (pronounced KIN-WAH) is a grain crop which is grown primarily for its seeds and is closely related to species such as spinach, beetroot and tumbleweeds…..yep, tumbleweeds……which, for that reason alone, makes it a staple in our pantry.
Quinoa, a protein packed superfood, is gluten free and rich in iron, B-vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, vitamin E and fiber.
Consumption of quinoa dates back several thousand years ago in South America where Aztec Warriors believed that it gave them increased stamina. The Inca’s, who held it as sacred and referred to it as the “mother of all grains” would concoct a mixture of quinoa and fats and would eat it to help sustain them in battle.
There are many benefits of quinoa. Here are my top 4….
- Quinoa is a complete protein containing all 9 essential amino acids. 1 cup of cooked quinoa contains 8 grams of protein making it an ideal protein source for vegetarians and vegans.
- Quinoa is gluten free. Research estimates that 18 million Americans have gluten sensitivity. This is a perfect alternative to refined flours and starches and can be ground to use in breads, pizza crusts, and crackers.
- Quinoa is amazingly nutritious!
One cup of cooked quinoa is packed with these nutrients
- Protein 8g
- Fiber 5g
Recommended Daily Allowance
- Vitamin E 6%
- Thiamin 13%
- Iron 15%
- Magnesium 30%
- Phosphorus 28%
- Zinc 13%
- Copper 18%
- Manganese 58%
- Folate 19%
- Potassium 9%
Quinoa is delicious and is very versatile. There are many ways to incorporate quinoa into your daily diet. One of my favorites is to include it in a salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh arugula, fresh basil, and a squeeze of lemon. Don’t knock it till ya try it!! This stuff is slammin!
