Quinoa Nutrition Facts – Here’s What You Need To Know About This Superfood

Written by Hillbilly Housewife

Quinoa is an ancient, South American grain that has recently become well-known around the United States. As we start to examine the nutritional facts of quinoa, you will see that this is a very good thing. Here’s a little history lesson for you. Quinoa was revered by the ancient Inca in Peru. That’s not surprising since it sustained them for over 5000 years.

This is in part because it is considered a complete protein. What this means is that it has all the amino acids we require; including one named lysine. Interestingly quinoa is full of this essential nutrient. Amino acids are needed by your body to create proteins that are then used in repairing and building muscle fibers. In our present-day diet, we get most of our protein from animal products. Part of the reason why is because there are only a handful of vegetarian foods out there that include all the amino acids our bodies need. This is exactly why quinoa is regarded as a superfood and is also often called the mother grain.

Quinoa is also good for you because it is full of fiber and low in sodium and cholesterol. Quinoa is also full of Thiamine, Riboflavin, Folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Niacin, Iron, Magnesium, Prosperous, and Manganese. All those nutrients make it a very healthful whole grain choice that also actually is low-calorie. No surprise that it’s a superfood.

Quinoa is perfect when you are trying to shed extra pounds since both the fiber and protein in it will keep you full while you are benefiting from a low-calorie food. You can prepare it instead of rice, potatoes, pasta, and other white starches. It’s healthier and you won’t have to worry about sugar cravings later.

Not only is quinoa a very versatile grain – you can make bread, puddings, and pilaf-like side dishes out of it or just serve it as a breakfast porridge – it is also gluten-free, making it a great alternative for anyone being affected by celiac disease. It’s also tasty 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. In other words, what types of health benefits can you expect to have from this superfood? It can help get rid of harmful free radicals from your body through the antioxidants that can be found in it and is also good for your heart. It also contains quite a big of lignans which help guard your heart. Last but not least, let’s not forget that it is also a whole grain food which I don’t have to tell you is an important part of a healthy diet.

Do you want to give Quinoa a try? Take this simple quinoa muffins recipe as an example. Quinoa is also a gluten-free food, making it perfect for anybody living a gluten-free lifestyle.

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